Jayce Eastin

The agenda focuses on the statement of FOIA compliance, a review of the Benton Utilities financial report for January, and a review of financial statements for February.

The meeting addressed several land use and development requests. The Board of Adjustments reviewed a variance request for a property on Shoreline Blvd, which failed due to a lack of motion. The Planning Commission approved a rezone request for properties on Alcoa Rd from R2 to C2, approved a preliminary plat for The Crossings at 114 Phase 2, and approved the final plat for Spencers Crossing Phase 2. A rezone request for parcel #805-10769-000 was withdrawn by the applicant following neighborhood concerns, and the final plat for Cottage Walk Phase 1 was tabled due to outstanding wastewater comments.

The committee established a quorum and affirmed compliance with the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. Key discussions included a review of the July 2025 Benton Utilities financials, noting that revenue exceeded expenses by over $928,000 for the month, although year-to-date revenue over expenses was down compared to the previous year. Discussions also covered capital outlay project spending timelines and the methodology for calculating wastewater billing based on a six-month water usage average. The committee approved the Chief of Police's request to surplus and auction a 2009 Dodge Charger. Approval was also granted to waive competitive bidding for a mobile radio upgrade costing $81,000 through Command Communications, as this represented a final negotiated amount. Furthermore, the committee accepted the bid from River City Hydraulics for a Streets & Drainage Grapple Truck, requiring a budget amendment. The committee accepted the 2024 Legislative Audit, which found no material findings, and approved the mandatory deposit of half of the excess General Fund revenues ($599,756) into the Financial Stability Fund, with the remainder staying in the General Fund. Other topics included research on APERS retirement eligibility for Alderpersons, deferring discussion on an increase request for Old Fire Pension members until March 2026 to meet submission deadlines, and an update on the recommendation for the A&P RV Park dirt work RFQ, favoring the Garrett firm.

The City Council meeting agenda included several committee reports and motions. Key financial actions involved adopting Resolution No. 11 of 2026 to award a contract for the Ralph Bunche Connector Trail; amending the FY2025 budget via Resolution No. 12 of 2026; accepting a $17,000 Certified Local Government Grant and amending the 2026 General Fund budget (Resolution No. 13 of 2026); approving the procurement of "Spartan Prosecutor" software and amending the FY2026 Court Automation Fund budget (Resolution No. 14 of 2026); and declaring three police vehicles as surplus property authorized for public auction (Resolution No. 15 of 2026). Legislative actions included passing Ordinance No. 3 of 2026 to authorize an actuarial valuation for the Local Fire Pension Plan, and several zoning ordinances: Ordinance No. 4 of 2026 to amend the S-School Zoning District regulations; Ordinance No. 5 of 2026 to rezone property at 707 Columbia Road from C2 to R5; Ordinance No. 6 of 2026 to rezone 30.26 acres along Sleepy Village Road from LI to R3; and Ordinance No. 7 of 2026 to rezone property along Longview Street from R2 to R5. Further ordinances addressed additional rezoning requests and utility procurement waivers.

The meeting agenda included establishing a quorum, affirmation of FOIA compliance, and addressing items concerning the Board of Adjustments, specifically variances for side setback at 7709 Shoreline Blvd and variance for BFE at 5912 Riviera Drive. The Planning Commission items primarily involved consideration of multiple rezoning requests, including 2011 Watts Road (R1 to R5), 15228 I-30 (C3 & R5 to C3), 2319 Kelso Circle (R2 to C2), 825 N Main Street (R2 to C1), and Silica Heights Rd (AG to C2). Preliminary and Final Plats were also scheduled for review, namely Scott Salem Rd Village, Cottage Walk Phase 1, The Grove @ Centennial Valley Phase 5, and Panther Cove. Other business included a vote needed on Rezone/Conditional Use Fee and Notice Updates, and a discussion only item regarding proposed ordinance changes.