BENTONVILLE — Bob McCaslin will seek a third term as mayor of Bentonville in November 2014. McCaslin hopes another term will see the completion of many projects he helped spearhead through a successful bond vote in 2007.
“I have decided to seek re-election because I care about the people of Bentonville and feel that continuing my leadership with the city will benefit the people as I complete numerous plans and initiatives over the next few years,” McCaslin said. “My desire to provide strong, professional leadership for the benefit of our residents is a key driver in my decision to run for re-election.”
At A Glance
McCaslin’s Tenure
Bob McCaslin was first elected mayor in 2006 after serving as an alderman for four years. He faced no opposition in a re-election bid in 2010.
Source: Staff Report
The years since McCaslin’s initial election have seen rapid growth in city infrastructure and parks, much of that funded through the infusion of $110 million in bond money approved by voters in 2007.
McCaslin, 67, said the city’s transformation through the bond program is one of his proudest achievements. Projects funded include Orchards Park, the renovation of the downtown square, improvements to East Central Avenue and Southwest I Street, public safety equipment, new soccer fields and several new parks and facilities.
“The leadership and vision I shared has produced significant results,” McCaslin said. “The bond projects served to transform and update our city while providing infrastructure that will last for decades.”
He said strong support and professionalism from city staff and elected officials contributed to the success of his mayorship.
“The accomplishments of the past seven years could not have been possible without the cooperation and commitment of both staff and city council,” McCaslin said.
McCaslin hopes to see the completion of projects like the Community Center in southwest Bentonville, a widened Eighth Street from Walton Boulevard to Interstate 540, a rebuilt dam at Lake Bella Vista, the Walton Arts Center and the Amazeum.
Alderman Chris Sooter served with McCaslin on the City Council for four years before McCaslin was elected mayor. Sooter said the city has reached new levels under McCaslin’s leadership. The city has low staff turnover and plans as necessary for capital improvement projects, Sooter said.
“We are better off now than we were 12 years ago,” Sooter said. “We were in a good place when he started, but we’re in a great place now. I can’t think of anybody who would do a better job.”
The way people view Bentonville has changed since he became mayor, McCaslin said. Much of the change is because of a cultural shift started with the opening of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in 2011.
“The opening of Crystal Bridges raised the awareness of who we are, regionally, nationally and internationally. The primary change is ‘who’ is in our city at any given time,” McCaslin said. “Growth data indicates many individuals, families and businesses are deciding to make Bentonville their new home.”
McCaslin estimates the city will continue to grow by more than 50 percent by 2020, ending the decade with a population upward of 50,000. As the city continues to grow and bond money runs out, the city will need to look to other sources of funding to meet infrastructure needs, he said.
“We will exhaust the 2007 bond proceeds within the next few years,” McCaslin said. “The cost of infrastructure is unbelievably high and will likely continue to escalate.”
About $700,000 a year in state turn-back funds could be used to address pressing street needs, while the city can continue to address many capital improvement needs out of its general fund. A future administration likely will need to consider asking voters to approve the issuance of additional bonds that could be funded from the current tax rate, McCaslin said.
“Transportation will likely have the greatest challenge as we experience greater volumes of vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic,” McCaslin said. “The city is not in a position to sit back and relax. We will have to remain focused on the key areas that provide safety and service to our citizens, businesses and visitors.”
The city will continue to address public safety needs by adding new police and fire personnel and building a sixth fire station in the city. The library will likely need to explore growth opportunities as it continues to serve more patrons, McCaslin said.
Despite the rapid growth, the best things about Bentonville have not changed, McCaslin said. Engaged citizens, a small-town atmosphere, natural beauty and a rich heritage combine to make the city a great place to live, he said.
Ed Clifford, former head of the Bentonville-Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce and current director of The Jones Center in Springdale, said McCaslin has made “amazing” accomplishments over the last decade. Clifford cited the creation of the Northwest Arkansas Conservation Authority to handle the city’s growing wastewater treatment needs as an example of the mayor’s foresight.
“Bob’s leadership has been nothing less than spectacular,” Clifford said. “Given the amount of money he has had to work with, he has certainly achieved optimal results. The city is 10 times more beautiful and at least 20 times more drivable and accessible. City services are at an absolute pinnacle as far as performance is concerned.”