Bentonville Combined Committee of the Whole and City Council Meeting - 2nd Tuesday of the Month

The City of Bentonville, Arkansas held a Combined Committee of the Whole and City Council meeting on September 9, 2026. A significant portion of the meeting focused on a midcycle refresh of the city's impact fees related to parks, libraries, police, and fire services. Consultants presented updated growth projections, capital improvement plans, and recommended adjustments to impact fees to reflect inflation and changes in infrastructure needs. The discussion included detailed analysis of fee calculations by housing type, considerations of exemptions such as for downtown development and accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and the potential inclusion of an inflation index in the fee ordinance. Council members raised concerns about the equitable distribution of fees, particularly regarding non-resident use of parks and trails, and the impact of fees on housing affordability. Additionally, the council discussed a zoning proposal to rezone a property from R1 single-family to T4.2 neighborhood node, which would allow higher density and some commercial use. Public comments expressed concerns about increased density, parking, drainage, and neighborhood character. The rezoning request was ultimately denied by the council. Other procurement-related actions included approval of several resolutions for grant acceptance, real estate purchase, stream bank restoration, and utility easement acquisitions, as well as a change order for a water main reroute contract. The council also recognized National Information Technology Professionals Day and discussed the implications of Arkansas Act 372 on library policies and staff.