Tom Farmer

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.

The Finance Committee meeting focused on several key financial and operational matters. For Benton Utilities, the CFO reported revenues over expenses for March, noting year-to-date improvements, while explaining that comparisons to the previous year are skewed due to the new billing system. Updates were provided on the ongoing waterline project, which is projected to finish sooner than the original six-month schedule, and discussions covered the expenditure of federal funds by the 2026 deadline and higher than expected capacity costs for power adjustments. The committee subsequently approved the renewal of the management contract for the Benton Senior Center with CareLink for another year under existing terms, as adequate proposals were not received in a recent RFP process. Furthermore, the committee approved a budget amendment to allow the Parks department to make the fifth and final payment to pay off the loan for the Tyndall Softball field lights early. Resolutions were passed authorizing the police department to auction two surplus vehicles, recognizing Curtis Wood with his duty weapon and badge after 30 years of service, and presenting Cissy Brown with a wooden bench after 46 years of service. Finally, the committee accepted the donation of a K-9 named Cash to the Police Department, with subsequent discussions detailing training, certification costs, and the acquisition of necessary equipment, including a ballistic vest.

Key discussions included an ordinance clarifying the assessment of stormwater fees by removing the limitation of one charge per physical address to correct issues with duplexes and apartments having multiple units under a single fee. Another item involved an ordinance waiving competitive bidding for the purchase and installation of a replacement valve for water treatment equipment, as the valve is original to the 1964 piping system and ensures proper fit. The committee also reviewed a Planning and Zoning ordinance concerning a zoning change from Heavy Industrial to R5 Multi Family District for a property on Normandy Street to allow for the construction of a duplex. Finally, condemnations for properties at 1600 Gum Street, 2319 Kelso Circle, and 2502 Gattin Road were noted.