OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Fayetteville City Council Meeting - September 1, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, September 1, 2026
BodyFayetteville, Arkansas
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, September 1, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:34:16

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Mr.

0:00

Barna.

0:01

Here.

0:03

Ms.

0:03

Bunch.

0:04

Here.

0:05

Ms.

0:05

Turk.

0:06

Here.

0:07

Minister Jones.

0:08

President.

0:10

Mr.

0:10

Stafford.

0:11

Here.

0:12

Here.

0:13

Dr.

0:13

Jones.

0:14

Here.

0:15

Ms.

0:16

Moore.

0:16

Here.

0:17

Mayor Ron.

0:19

Here.

0:19

Please join me as we stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:47

Pardon me.

0:48

Our first item up is our sales tax and monthly financial report from our Chief Financial Officer Stephen Dotson.

0:54

Thank you, Mayor.

0:55

Good evening, Council.

0:57

This is the June sales tax report.

1:00

In June, we saw taxable sales in the city totaling approximately 293.5 million.

1:05

And that was an increase of 1.4% of from uh June of 2025.

1:12

Retail trade was down in the month of June, around 1% or around $1.5 million.

1:18

And we also saw accommodation in food services.

1:21

That sector was down as well, around $1.9% or around 778,000.

1:26

We did see uh gains in wholesale trade.

1:29

That was up around 34% or 7.3 million.

1:32

And we also noted that manufacturing was up 22% or roughly 2.7 million.

1:39

Uh and moving on to our actual tax collection results.

1:42

Um the City 1 penny sales tax was up 1.34% compared to 2025, or approximately $37,000.

1:52

The uh county portion of the city was up 0.4% or approximately $9,000, uh, resulting in a total combined sales tax collection increase of 0.9% or around $47,000 compared to 2025.

2:07

Now when we look at that comparison to uh what was budgeted um in June of 2026, the City 1 Penny was down approximately 1.6 percent or around 46,000.

2:19

The county portion was down 2.5 percent uh for a combined total for the month, down 2% compared to budget or roughly 100,000.

2:29

And cumulatively, that's gonna put the city on a year to date basis down approximately 1.2 percent or 451,000 compared to budget through the month of June.

2:39

Uh once again, we do have some uh bigger months uh coming up and it it's it appears that we are uh slowly closing that gap on uh on what we had budgeted versus uh what our uh tax revenues uh actually have been.

2:53

Can I answer any questions for anybody on the sales tax report?

2:59

Stephen, and I don't know if this is something you'd have to tell us in the future, but I thought I heard you say manufacturing was up 22 percent.

3:05

I didn't know if you knew and looked into some of the drivers of that at all.

3:09

It's very difficult for us to tell you.

3:11

Okay, that's what I know they masked that.

3:13

Pull some real general data down from the state, but we're having a real hard time getting behind those numbers.

3:20

Um we do have some contacts that we're working with to try to get some more information on that because I know that we have talked about rebates and some other things as well, and so we're trying to get some additional information and you know when I have anything, I'll definitely bring that forward to council.

3:34

Okay, yeah, no, that's just uh an interesting.

3:37

I don't know if that's a new trend, but that definitely is a pop this month, so just very curious to see what that might be doing going forward as we've talked about manufacturing ban area focus.

3:46

Yeah, and you know, I think I've been providing that that sales tax information for about a year now, and you know that's one thing that we have noted over the course of that year, every month we have a couple of things that really do pop and a few other things that that just go down.

4:01

And uh it's been kind of difficult for us to try to figure out the reason for that.

4:05

Okay, thank you, Stephen.

4:06

Sure.

4:07

Uh as a reminder, all of our sales tax collection.

4:12

Well, hold on just a moment.

4:13

Go ahead, Minister Jones.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning And Land Use██████████████████████████████████████38%
Procedural██████████████████18%
Historic Preservation██████████10%
Stormwater Management███████7%
Fiscal Sustainability██████6%
Public Safety██████6%
Airport Development███3%
Tree Preservation███3%
Flood Management███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Fayetteville City Council Meeting - September 1, 2026

The Fayetteville City Council met on September 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM to discuss financial reports, zoning requests, a grant resolution, and a historic district matter. Key actions included approving a rezoning on Dean Solomon by a tie-breaking mayoral vote, passing a drug task force grant with one dissent, and sending the South Fayetteville Historic District back to the commission with a recommendation to exclude Jefferson School. Several items were tabled to the next meeting.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent agenda was approved unanimously (8-0) with the exception of item A4 (Drakefield Taxiway East Extension), which was pulled by Councilmember Turk for further discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • B3 (Dean Solomon rezoning): Multiple neighbors spoke against the amendment to split the rezoning, citing lost leverage for road improvements, tree canopy preservation, and the financial burden of $20,000 in legal fees. One speaker supported the original request, citing diverse housing and road improvements. The applicant's attorney and city staff provided procedural explanations.
  • B4 (1845 West Wedding Drive rezoning): Several residents presented photos and testimony about chronic flooding, stormwater issues, and traffic safety on Weddington Drive and Vista Place. One property owner spoke in favor, stating the project would not worsen flooding and would add needed density near a bus stop. A petition with ~30 signatures opposing the rezoning was submitted.
  • C1 (Drug task force grant): No public comment.
  • C2 (Leverett/Cleveland rezoning): No public comment.
  • C3 (201 East Spring Street rezoning): No public comment.
  • South Fayetteville Historic District: Two speakers addressed the public notification issue; one expressed support for the district with Jefferson School excluded.

Discussion Items

  • Sales Tax and Monthly Financial Report (CFO Stephen Dotson): June sales tax collections totaled approximately $293.5 million, up 1.4% from June 2025. Retail trade was down 1%; wholesale trade up 34%; manufacturing up 22%. Combined sales tax collection increase of 0.9% (~$47,000) compared to 2025, but down 2% (~$100,000) compared to budget. Year-to-date, sales tax revenues are 1.2% below budget. The monthly financial report through July showed the general fund up 1.3% (~$649,000) compared to budget; water and sewer up 5%; stormwater up 6%; airport fund down 3.8%. CFO also reported that an analysis of six years of data found no significant correlation between Razorback football home games and increased sales tax revenue.
  • A4 - Drakefield Taxiway East Extension: Councilmember Turk pulled this item from consent due to last-minute concerns about wetland mitigation credits. Airport representative Jared explained the project is safety-driven, wetlands are dry most of the year, and the FAA requires off-site mitigation credits (paid by grant). Delaying two weeks risked losing $400,000 in FAA discretionary funding. Council voted to approve the resolution (bid award of $2,854,473, grant acceptance of $3,477,544, and related contracts) unanimously.
  • B3 - Rezoning at Dean Solomon and Van Ick Drive (RZN 2026-15): This item was on third reading after reconsideration. The applicant proposed an amendment to remove a 9.6-acre parcel (rezoning from PZD to RMF-12) from the request, leaving only the 26-acre portion (rezoning from RSF-4 to RSF-8). Staff explained that amending would require a new application for the removed parcel. Neighbors who initially requested the split opposed the amendment, arguing they lost leverage for road improvements and tree preservation. After debate, the amendment motion failed for lack of a second. The council then voted on the original request, resulting in a 4-4 tie (Wheedaker, Turk, D. Jones no; Barna, Bunch, M. Jones, Stafford yes). Mayor Ron broke the tie in favor, passing the rezoning 5-4.
  • B4 - Rezoning at 1845 West Wedding Drive (RZN 2026-18): This item was on second reading. The applicant presented commitments to address drainage concerns, including a licensed engineer survey, pre-design meeting with stormwater staff, and organizing a neighborhood petition for capital improvement funds. The council left the item on second reading, meaning it will automatically be heard on third and final reading at the September 15 meeting.
  • C1 - Drug Task Force Grant Resolution: Chief Reynolds presented the state drug crime enforcement grant ($272,301 total, Fayetteville's portion $136,044 plus in-kind match). The grant funds personnel for the Fourth Judicial District Drug Task Force. Discussion included seizure statistics (83 lbs methamphetamine, 87 guns) and the fact that 91% of the task force budget comes from grants. Councilmember Moore questioned whether outcomes like treatment referrals are tracked; the chief noted that is the prosecutor's responsibility. The resolution passed 8-1, with Moore voting no.
  • C2 - Rezoning at 722-714 N Leverett and 788 W Cleveland (RZN 2026-24): Staff recommended approval to rezone from RMF-40 to Urban Neighborhood (UN), citing compatibility with the area's three-story height limit and potential for non-residential uses. The house at the corner encroaches into the right-of-way and redevelopment would improve intersection visibility. The council suspended rules and passed unanimously on third reading.
  • C3 - Rezoning at 201 East Spring Street (RZN 2026-19): The applicant, Brian Teague, requested rezoning from RIU to UN to build additional apartment houses by right. Staff found it compatible, noting proximity to downtown and College Avenue. Councilmember M. Jones expressed concerns about gentrification and aging infrastructure in Ward 1. The ordinance passed 7-2, with M. Jones and D. Jones voting no.
  • South Fayetteville Local Historic District: Councilmember Barna moved to take the ordinance off the table and amend it to return the district to the Historic District Commission with a recommendation to remove the Jefferson School property. After debate about public notice and procedure, the council voted 5-3 (Turk, M. Jones, D. Jones no) to suspend rules and adopt the ordinance on third reading. The emergency clause failed by the same vote (5-3, with the mayor not allowed to vote), so the ordinance will take effect in 31 days. Staff indicated the Historic District Commission can still meet in October to consider the matter before the statutory deadline.

Key Outcomes

  • A4 (Taxiway Extension): Approved unanimously.
  • B1 (20 N School Ave dilapidated structure): Tabled indefinitely (building already removed).
  • B2 (West Center Street ordinance): Tabled to September 15, 2026.
  • B3 (Dean Solomon rezoning): Passed 5-4 (mayor breaking tie) on original request (RSF-4 to RSF-8 for 26 acres; PZD to RMF-12 for 9.6 acres with bill of assurance).
  • B4 (1845 W Wedding Drive): Left on second reading; will be on third reading September 15.
  • B5 (Annexation Flintlock LTD): Tabled to September 15.
  • B6 (PCD at Weir Road and Ruppel Road): Tabled to September 15.
  • C1 (Drug task force grant): Approved 8-1 (Moore no).
  • C2 (Leverett/Cleveland rezoning): Approved unanimously.
  • C3 (201 E Spring Street rezoning): Approved 7-2 (M. Jones, D. Jones no).
  • South Fayetteville Historic District: Ordinance passed 5-3 (Turk, M. Jones, D. Jones no) to return to Historic District Commission with recommendation to exclude Jefferson School; emergency clause failed 5-3, so effective in 31 days.

Meeting Transcript

Mr. Barna. Here. Ms. Bunch. Here. Ms. Turk. Here. Minister Jones. President. Mr. Stafford. Here. Here. Dr. Jones. Here. Ms. Moore. Here. Mayor Ron. Here. Please join me as we stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Pardon me. Our first item up is our sales tax and monthly financial report from our Chief Financial Officer Stephen Dotson. Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, Council. This is the June sales tax report. In June, we saw taxable sales in the city totaling approximately 293.5 million. And that was an increase of 1.4% of from uh June of 2025. Retail trade was down in the month of June, around 1% or around $1.5 million. And we also saw accommodation in food services. That sector was down as well, around $1.9% or around 778,000. We did see uh gains in wholesale trade. That was up around 34% or 7.3 million. And we also noted that manufacturing was up 22% or roughly 2.7 million. Uh and moving on to our actual tax collection results. Um the City 1 penny sales tax was up 1.34% compared to 2025, or approximately $37,000. The uh county portion of the city was up 0.4% or approximately $9,000, uh, resulting in a total combined sales tax collection increase of 0.9% or around $47,000 compared to 2025. Now when we look at that comparison to uh what was budgeted um in June of 2026, the City 1 Penny was down approximately 1.6 percent or around 46,000. The county portion was down 2.5 percent uh for a combined total for the month, down 2% compared to budget or roughly 100,000. And cumulatively, that's gonna put the city on a year to date basis down approximately 1.2 percent or 451,000 compared to budget through the month of June. Uh once again, we do have some uh bigger months uh coming up and it it's it appears that we are uh slowly closing that gap on uh on what we had budgeted versus uh what our uh tax revenues uh actually have been. Can I answer any questions for anybody on the sales tax report? Stephen, and I don't know if this is something you'd have to tell us in the future, but I thought I heard you say manufacturing was up 22 percent. I didn't know if you knew and looked into some of the drivers of that at all. It's very difficult for us to tell you. Okay, that's what I know they masked that. Pull some real general data down from the state, but we're having a real hard time getting behind those numbers.

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