Bentonville City Council and Committee of the Whole Meeting - September 22, 2026

The City of Bentonville held a combined Committee of the Whole and City Council meeting on September 22, 2026. The meeting began with an informational session on transportation projects, followed by unanimous approval of all resolutions, ordinances, and consent agenda items on the agenda. Public testimony was heard on a property rezoning and a resident spoke about parks and trails.

Consent Calendar

The following items were approved en bloc as part of the consent agenda (all passed unanimously):

• Resolution accepting a $6,000 grant from Best Friends Animal Society for pet adoption fee sponsorship.
• Resolution adopting an Artificial Intelligence and Automated Decision Tools Policy to comply with Arkansas Act 848.
• Resolution authorizing an agreement with Heartland Business Systems for Zoom phone licensing and implementation services (total $546,263.40 over 5 years).
• Resolution accepting $4,000,000 in FFY2027 NWARPC STBGP-A grant funds for Greenhouse Road Improvements (with $1,000,000 local match, split 55% Bentonville, 45% Centerton).
• Resolution awarding bid to Steep Creek, LLC for SW Nutmeg Drainage Improvements ($2,328,027.94).
• Resolution recognizing a budget adjustment for West McNelly Road Bridge Repair.
• Resolution awarding bid to On Point Excavation, LLC for SW 2nd and "O" Drainage Improvements ($550,428.03).
• Resolution accepting a $185,605 Walton Family Foundation grant for design and bid documents for John DeShields Trail.
• Resolution authorizing an agreement with Crafton Tull for John DeShields Trail design ($183,605).
• Resolution accepting a $1,026,589 Walton Family Foundation grant for intersection improvements at SW "I" Street and SW 41st Street.
• Resolution awarding a contract to All Service Electric for the SW "I" Street and SW 41st Street intersection improvements ($1,236,585.77).
• Resolution authorizing a construction administration agreement with CEI Engineering for that intersection ($140,000).
• Utility Board items: Resolution of intent for financing $9,621,360 for the 48" Supply Water Transmission Project; Resolution authorizing easement acquisition for Shewmaker Ph. 2 Interceptor Project; Resolution awarding bid to Crossland Heavy Contractors for Townbranch Interceptor Project ($7,605,314.85); Resolution authorizing agreement with RJN Group for SSES and modeling work in the South LS Basin ($865,530).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Erica Reed (Centerton resident): Encouraged the council to continue prioritizing well-lit, accessible parks and trails, specifically adequate lighting and trash facilities in busy public hubs.
• Dominique (property owner at 201 SW E Street): During the public hearing for the rezoning of his property, explained that rezoning from R-1 to T3.1 was necessary to remodel his house without moving his garage, as the current garage encroaches on the public right-of-way. He expressed support for the rezoning.

Discussion Items

• Transportation Projects Update (Committee of the Whole): City Engineer Jared Breitwell reported on the status of bond-funded transportation and drainage projects. Since the 2021 voter-approved bond ($173.5 million for streets, $19.75 million for drainage), $59 million in bond funds have been spent on streets and $19 million on drainage. He noted a 160% increase in construction costs since the pandemic. Completed projects included multiple drainage improvements and street extensions/intersections. Projects under construction include Rainbow Curve (estimated $7.5 million, completion Q3 2028). Future projects highlighted: Tiger Boulevard Overpass over I-49 (estimated $28 million, bidding late 2026), SW Regional Airport Blvd and I Street intersection ($5 million), Walton and Central Avenue intersection (bids received, $4.1 million), Vaughn Road intersection ($13 million), Greenhouse Road safety improvements ($45 million total, partnering with Centerton), Northeast J Street Interchange ($68.4 million). Regarding sidewalks, Breitwell stated that 59 locations have been identified, with 9 currently under contract. Bus shelter pads are being installed at multiple locations. Council members discussed prioritization criteria, the need to distinguish sidewalk projects from bike trails, the importance of focusing on connecting schools, and the desire for a transparent public project list.
• Consent Agenda Discussion (Committee of the Whole): The council discussed which items to place on the consent agenda for the City Council meeting. A motion to approve the consent agenda (excluding item 1, the transportation update) was made and carried by voice vote. (Note: The agenda stated that no votes are taken during Committee of the Whole, but this vote occurred during that portion of the meeting.)
• Public Hearing – Utility Easement Vacation (Item 6): No public testimony was offered. The ordinance vacating the utility easement at Lot 40 of College Place Subdivision Phase 8 was approved unanimously.
• Planning Rezonings:
  • Rezoning 201 SW E Street (RZ26-0044): Property owner Dominique spoke about the need to rezone from R-1 to T3.1 to allow remodel without moving garage. Council discussed setbacks and future uses. Approved unanimously.
  • Rezoning 901 E. Central Ave. (RZ26-0043): Rezoning from R-1 to T3.2. No public testimony. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• All agenda items were approved unanimously. No items were defeated.
• Specific votes:
  • Approval of minutes from September 8, 2026: passed (voice vote, unanimous).
  • Resolution recognizing Detective Corporal Mark Jordan on his retirement after 32 years: passed (roll call, unanimous).
  • Ordinance amending Bentonville Municipal Code to expand Finance Committee terms: passed (roll call, unanimous).
  • Ordinance vacating utility easement: passed (roll call, unanimous).
  • Consent agenda (see list above): passed (roll call, unanimous).
  • Utility Board ordinance amending repayment schedule for 2025 Bond: passed (roll call, unanimous).
  • Rezoning (Massary) to T3.1: passed (roll call, unanimous).
  • Rezoning (Materesa Corporation) to T3.2: passed (roll call, unanimous).
• Next steps / upcoming events mentioned:
  • Library Gom convention on Saturday, September 25 (10 am – 3 pm).
  • Gateway Park grand opening tentatively scheduled for November 8.
  • Tree giveaway on October 10 at the Municipal Building off 28th Street (7:30 am).
  • Active Transportation Board and staff working on signal timing for bicycles.
  • Traffic and Signage Committee code revision ongoing.
  • America 250 tile art project seeking more submissions.