OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Fayetteville City Council Meeting Summary - June 2, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, June 2, 2026
BodyFayetteville, Arkansas
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, June 2, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:10:06

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

All right, good evening, everybody.

0:02

We are going to call to order the Tuesday, June 2nd meeting of the Fayetteville City Council.

0:09

Clerk Paxton, will you please call the roll?

0:12

Ms.

0:12

Bench here.

0:14

Ms.

0:14

Turk.

0:15

Here.

0:16

Minister Jones.

0:17

Present.

0:18

Mr.

0:18

Stafford.

0:19

Present.

0:20

Dr.

0:20

Jones.

0:21

Here.

0:22

Ms.

0:23

Moore.

0:24

Here.

0:25

Mr.

0:25

Wheateker.

0:26

Here.

0:27

Mr.

0:27

Berna.

0:28

Here.

0:29

Mayor Ron.

0:30

Here.

0:31

Please join me as we recite the five.

0:56

Okay.

0:56

Very first up this evening.

1:01

We have a sales tax and monthly financial report from Stephen Dotson, RCFO.

1:07

Stephen, I will turn it over to you.

1:10

Thanks, Mayor.

1:14

Starting off with the sales tax report, and this is the uh March sales tax report for taxes received in April of 2026.

1:23

In March, we saw taxable sales in the city totaling approximately 298.8 million, which uh basically matched the taxable sales in March of 2025.

1:33

So we didn't really see an increase or a decrease compared to last year in total taxable sales.

1:39

Retail trade was up one percent year over year, representing an increase of 1.4 million.

1:45

Accommodation and food services were up 5% or 2.1 million.

1:50

Wholesale trade was up nine percent or around 1.6.

1:54

Um I think the most important point to note um for the sales tax report for this month is that we are comparing it to March of 2025.

2:01

And if you recall from my comments uh last year around this time, that was right before the tariffs took effect.

2:08

So we saw huge increases in manufacturing and transportation.

2:12

We were up around 22 million dollars as a result of those uh the tariff purchasing last year.

2:18

Um so it was a little bit difficult to compare uh this year with last year, uh given that last year was such a huge uh month of of March.

2:29

But um uh we were uh I guess uh to report out net we were pretty much flat in comparison with last year.

2:39

Compared to 2025, um our tax collection was also flat.

2:43

Our city one penny was down two hundredths of a percent or around four hundred dollars.

2:48

The county portion was down five hundredths of a percent or roughly twelve hundred dollars, resulting in a total combined sales tax collection decrease of uh three hundredths of a percent, so almost nothing, around sixteen hundred dollars.

3:03

When we look at what was budgeted, um the city one penny was down approximately two point nine three percent compared to budget, that's around eighty-eight thousand.

3:12

The county portion was down around two point nine six percent or seventy thousand for a combined total for the month of March down two point nine four percent compared to budget.

3:22

Um cumulatively that's gonna put the city on a year-to-date basis down approximately four-tenths of a percent or around eighty-four thousand dollars compared to budget.

3:33

Any questions I can answer on our sales tax report?

3:40

Minister Jones, thank you.

3:41

Which one did you say was flat pretty much the entire the entire month was in terms of uh our total taxable sales, so that was pretty much flat.

3:52

And then if you compare our tax collections to uh from uh March of 2026 to March of 2025, everything was pretty well flat.

4:02

The city one penny, the county, it was all pretty much flat.

4:05

So we uh we were taking in what we basically what we did last year at this time.

4:11

Thank you.

4:11

Sure, Mr.

4:13

Wheataker.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning And Land Use███████████████████████23%
Procedural█████████████13%
Water And Wastewater Management█████████████13%
Pending Litigation█████████9%
Community Engagement█████████9%
Public Engagement███████7%
Environmental Protection██████6%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Transportation Safety████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Fayetteville City Council Meeting Summary - June 2, 2026

The Fayetteville City Council met on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, to address a variety of items including financial reports, rezoning requests, a sewer damage claim, public safety grants, and urban agriculture ordinances. The meeting lasted approximately three hours and included multiple votes and public comments.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the May 19, 2026 City Council meeting minutes.
  • Approved the Lake Sequoia Bridge Rehabilitation Amendment with Garver, LLC.
  • Approved Gohan's Enterprises change order number two.
  • Approved Greg Street safe streets for all amendment number one with Crafton Toll.
  • Approved safe routes to school plan adoption.
  • Approved vision zero safety action plan.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Sewer Damage Claim (B1): Multiple speakers (Evelyn Rio Stafford, Mark Scrockey, Ari Scrockey, Beth Hall) expressed frustration with the claims process, citing errors in the city's adjuster's estimate and urging the council to consider a higher payout or a second opinion. The claimant, Chris Scrockey, detailed discrepancies and requested corrections.
  • Rezoning at 1002 N. Hall (B4): Several representatives from Central United Methodist Church (Rev. Dr. Chase Burns, Todd Lewis, Rev. Jenny Williams) and realtor Martha Haigwood spoke in favor, citing consistency with City Plan 2040 and benefits for the community. No opposition speakers appeared.
  • Rezoning at 800 N. Hall (B5): Becky Carter and Martha Haigwood spoke in support, emphasizing housing needs and infill benefits.
  • Fire Pension COLA (C1): One public commenter expressed support for the fire department.
  • Conservation Ordinance (C2): Matthew Van Epps (Watershed Conservation Resource Center) and Dot Neely voiced support, highlighting ecological benefits and alignment with the EPA grant.
  • Urban Agriculture Sheep Ordinance (C6): No public comments.

Discussion Items

  • Sales Tax and Financial Report: Stephen Dotson presented the March sales tax report (taxable sales flat at $298.8M) and April monthly financial report. General fund revenues were up 3.6% against budget. Building permits were up 68% ($879K) and airport flight operations increased by 911 due to better weather.
  • Walk-on Resolution – Juneteenth/Pride Recognition: Dr. DeAndre Jones and Councilmember Sarah Moore sponsored a resolution recognizing black-owned and LGBTQ-owned businesses. Councilmember Moore highlighted upcoming events. The resolution passed unanimously.
  • Walk-on Resolution – Railroad Grant Application: Chris Brown and Keith presented a resolution to apply for a $48M federal railroad grant (Fayetteville's share ~$19.6M, with a $3.9M match) for safety improvements at Frisco and University crossings. The grant deadline is June 8. The resolution passed unanimously.
  • Sewer Damage Claim (B1): The council debated an amended resolution to pay $140,111.21 to Chris Scrockey for sewage damage. City Attorney Kit Williams explained the ordinance cap and the need for unanimous consent. After discussion, the resolution passed 8-0.
  • Dilapidated Structures: Staff requested and council approved tabling items for 20 N. School Ave (to August 4) and 848 N. Jackson Dr (to July 7) to allow owners to complete work.
  • Rezoning at 1002 N. Hall (B4): Staff and applicant Will Clark argued the rezoning from RSF-4 to UN aligns with City Plan 2040 and creates infill housing. Councilmember Turk opposed, citing spot zoning and traffic concerns. Passed 8-1.
  • Rezoning at 800 N. Hall (B5): Similar arguments; staff noted smaller lot size reduces impact. Passed 8-1.
  • Fire Pension COLA (C1): Kit Williams presented an ordinance for a 3% compound cost-of-living adjustment for eligible fire pension participants, effective July 1, 2026. Passed unanimously with emergency clause.
  • Conservation Ordinance (C2): Allison Jumper explained the ordinance to conserve city-owned land along Town Branch until 2050 as part of a $36.25M EPA grant. Councilmember Stafford requested holding on first reading to address a utility easement issue. Held on first reading.
  • Rezoning at 2710 N. Colette (C3): Staff recommended approval to NC zoning. Passed unanimously.
  • Rezoning at 2245 W. Dean (C4): Staff recommended approval to RIU for a duplex currently non-conforming. Passed unanimously.
  • Rezoning at 1429 & 1431 W. Dean (C5): Staff recommended approval despite some single-family surroundings. Councilmember Turk voted no. Passed 7-1.
  • Urban Agriculture Sheep Ordinance (C6): Councilmember Moore sponsored an ordinance to allow miniature sheep (e.g., Baby Doll Southdown) within city limits, similar to goats. Passed unanimously with emergency clause.

Key Outcomes

  • Sales Tax Report: Received as information.
  • Resolution recognizing Black-owned and LGBTQ-owned businesses: Passed unanimously.
  • Railroad grant application resolution: Passed unanimously.
  • Sewer damage claim payment: Resolution amended to $140,111.21; passed unanimously.
  • Dilapidated structure at 20 N. School Ave: Tabled to August 4, 2026.
  • Dilapidated structure at 848 N. Jackson Dr: Tabled to July 7, 2026.
  • Rezoning at 1002 N. Hall Ave (RZN 2026-11): Approved 8-1 (Councilmember Turk dissenting).
  • Rezoning at 800 N. Hall Ave (RZN 2026-10): Approved 8-1 (Councilmember Turk dissenting).
  • Fire pension COLA ordinance: Approved unanimously with emergency clause.
  • Conservation ordinance (Town Branch): Held on first reading; will return next meeting.
  • Rezoning at 2710 N. Colette Ave (RZN 2026-14): Approved unanimously.
  • Rezoning at 2245 W. Dean St (RZN 2026-12): Approved unanimously.
  • Rezoning at 1429 & 1431 W. Dean St (RZN 2026-13): Approved 7-1 (Councilmember Turk dissenting).
  • Urban agriculture sheep ordinance: Approved unanimously with emergency clause.

Meeting Transcript

All right, good evening, everybody. We are going to call to order the Tuesday, June 2nd meeting of the Fayetteville City Council. Clerk Paxton, will you please call the roll? Ms. Bench here. Ms. Turk. Here. Minister Jones. Present. Mr. Stafford. Present. Dr. Jones. Here. Ms. Moore. Here. Mr. Wheateker. Here. Mr. Berna. Here. Mayor Ron. Here. Please join me as we recite the five. Okay. Very first up this evening. We have a sales tax and monthly financial report from Stephen Dotson, RCFO. Stephen, I will turn it over to you. Thanks, Mayor. Starting off with the sales tax report, and this is the uh March sales tax report for taxes received in April of 2026. In March, we saw taxable sales in the city totaling approximately 298.8 million, which uh basically matched the taxable sales in March of 2025. So we didn't really see an increase or a decrease compared to last year in total taxable sales. Retail trade was up one percent year over year, representing an increase of 1.4 million. Accommodation and food services were up 5% or 2.1 million. Wholesale trade was up nine percent or around 1.6. Um I think the most important point to note um for the sales tax report for this month is that we are comparing it to March of 2025. And if you recall from my comments uh last year around this time, that was right before the tariffs took effect. So we saw huge increases in manufacturing and transportation. We were up around 22 million dollars as a result of those uh the tariff purchasing last year. Um so it was a little bit difficult to compare uh this year with last year, uh given that last year was such a huge uh month of of March. But um uh we were uh I guess uh to report out net we were pretty much flat in comparison with last year. Compared to 2025, um our tax collection was also flat. Our city one penny was down two hundredths of a percent or around four hundred dollars. The county portion was down five hundredths of a percent or roughly twelve hundred dollars, resulting in a total combined sales tax collection decrease of uh three hundredths of a percent, so almost nothing, around sixteen hundred dollars. When we look at what was budgeted, um the city one penny was down approximately two point nine three percent compared to budget, that's around eighty-eight thousand. The county portion was down around two point nine six percent or seventy thousand for a combined total for the month of March down two point nine four percent compared to budget.

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