FAYETTEVILLE -- Mayor Lioneld Jordan said Friday he plans to run for a third four-year term.
Jordan, who defeated then-Mayor Dan Coody in 2008, confirmed his plans but declined to go into more detail or answer questions, saying he'd make a formal announcement sometime after the March 1 party and nonpartisan judicial primary.
Candidates for municipal offices can officially file for the November general election starting July 29. No one has publicly announced plans to run against Jordan.
Jordan, 62, won the mayor's office after two terms on the City Council. He's paid about $119,000. Throughout his time in office, Jordan has focused on road and trail work and what he often calls a "partnership-based government," where everyone gets a chance to have their say.
Jordan has presided over major infrastructure and parks projects throughout the city in the past few years, ranging from completion of the Van Asche Drive extension and flyover bridge near the Northwest Arkansas Mall to the addition of Kessler Mountain parkland in the city's southwest. Last year the city opened its Spring Street Municipal Parking Deck in the downtown area, which Jordan promised would come from downtown paid parking fees that drew intense criticism for his administration.
Jordan supported two controversial ordinances protecting gay, bisexual and transgender people from discrimination in the workplace and housing based on their sexual orientation or identity. The first ordinance was thrown out after a public vote. The second was successful after its own vote but is being contested in a Washington County Circuit Court lawsuit.
"In this city, our diversity is our strength," Jordan said in an interview last month. "I have always believed that people locate here not because of what we market but because of what we believe."
Jordan last year also supported raising city property taxes by 1 mill to pay for about two dozen more police officers, firefighters and other city employees. Jordan's chief of staff, Don Marr, has said the mayor wants to talk with University of Arkansas officials about whether they can contribute money for more and faster fire service in the town's core. University officials have offered limited aid, such as paying for a new fire engine, but have balked at bigger commitments.
For the coming year, the city plans to build or redo sidewalks along College Avenue and elsewhere and continue building trails, as has become routine. The administration is putting together a five-year economic development plan called Fayetteville First to set goals for encouraging people and businesses to stay in or relocate to Fayetteville. The city's regional park near Mount Kessler is expected to open this fall.
John La Tour, alderman for Ward 4, opposed the non-discrimination ordinances and has often criticized city government as hostile to business and the free market because of its regulations and development process.
"I like him personally, but I disagree with his politics," La Tour said Friday, adding he'd prefer someone with a professional background in managing budgets in the position. "I think he's way too liberal for my taste."
But the Jordan administration's goals and proposals often find an overall supportive City Council. This year's $147 million balanced budget proposal from the mayor, which devoted more money to parks, parking and public safety, passed unanimously.
"I think he's been an excellent mayor," said Alderman Mark Kinion of Ward 2.
NW News on 02/06/2016