Centerton City Council July 8 Recap: Mayor’s Salary, Fireworks Debate, and Future Growth

Hey Centerton neighbors! It's your favorite Blue Haired Broker, Allie Verdery with Engel & Völkers Bentonville, bringing you the latest recap from the Centerton City Council meeting held on July 8th, 2025. We had a jam-packed agenda filled with lively debates, important updates, and strategic decisions shaping our city’s future. Let’s dive into the highlights!

Opening Acts: Getting Down to Business The evening kicked off with the Pledge of Allegiance and invocation, followed swiftly by approval of previous meeting minutes. Council members reviewed notes from the Water and Sewer Commission (May 20th) and Planning Commission (June 3rd), setting the stage for deeper discussions.

Financial Snapshot: Staying on Track 📈 Centerton’s finances are looking healthy! At the halfway mark of the year:

• Revenue is exceeding expectations at 60% of annual projections.

• City sales tax is strong at around 54%.

• Building permits generated about half a million dollars, reflecting continued growth.

• Street fund expenditures are slightly below projections, with upcoming projects poised to balance that out.

The council quickly cleared up questions regarding special meeting fees and approved the financial and court reports.

Sewer Updates: Progress & Temporary Solutions 🚧 Our sewer situation is making strides! The Water and Sewer Commission shared updates on permit renewals and expansions. Decatur expects approval by year-end, with critical infrastructure projects nearly complete. Meanwhile, temporary step systems were discussed as an interim solution until permanent capacity is established, ensuring our growth isn’t hindered.

Public Voices Heard: Mayor’s Salary & Fireworks 🎆 Two hot topics sparked extensive community discussion:

• Mayor’s Salary: The salary for the incoming mayor brought forward several thoughtful viewpoints:

  • Chris Mooney presented a thorough comparison, arguing the current salary undervalues the role and recommending a higher range based on similar cities.

  • Alan Craig, city engineer, countered by advocating for a lower starting salary of $87,600, feeling $100,000 was excessive for a new mayor.

  • John Box supported the $100,000 starting salary, referencing studies and comparisons from surrounding cities and stressing separate consideration for the current mayor’s salary.

  • Anthony Martinez, city public works director, also backed the $100,000 salary, emphasizing Centerton’s need to remain progressive and competitive.

• Fireworks Policy: Residents expressed differing views on fireworks usage, with some voicing concerns about noise disturbances while others defended fireworks as a cherished tradition and a celebration of freedom. The council ultimately suggested adjusting permissible fireworks dates to balance tradition with residents' comfort.

Ordinances & Resolutions: Key Moves for Centerton 📝 Several key decisions were finalized:

• Mayor's Salary (Ordinance 2025-31): Passed with a 4-1 vote, setting the incoming mayor’s salary at $100,000 and increasing the current mayor’s salary to $130,000.

• Bates Lane Right-of-Way (Ordinance 2025-32): Corrected previous right-of-way dedication.

• Pedestrian Easement (Ordinance 2025-33): Accepted from KO Storage LLC.

• Magnolia Landing Phase 2 (Ordinance 2025-35): Approved, adding 70 single-family and 15 duplex lots.

• Vehicle Donations & Purchases (Ordinances 2025-36 & 2025-37): Donated surplus police vehicles and approved the Public Works Department truck purchase.

• Pickleball Courts Grant (Resolution 2025-31): Authorized grant application for new community center amenities.

A resolution regarding a downtown study was tabled pending further review.

Other Notable Discussions:

• Awaiting impact fee ordinance.

• Act 505 Clarification: City Attorney Brian provided detailed clarification regarding Act 505:

  • For establishing a quorum and voting, council members must now be physically present unless there's a state-declared emergency.

  • Non-voting members, including staff, may still participate remotely.

  • The act slightly relaxes rules around council members communicating privately about city business, but they still must not discuss items likely to appear on upcoming agendas.

  • The Act expands executive session permissions to include mediation, litigation negotiations, and cyber security matters without public notice.

  • Council members are advised against individually sharing their positions on pending agenda items with vendors or the public outside formal meetings to ensure transparency.

• Acknowledged significant grants totaling over $11 million for traffic signals, sidewalks, and Greenhouse Road improvements.

Looking Ahead: Let’s Connect Over Coffee ☕️ I’ll be at the next Coffee with the Mayor this Saturday, July 12th, armed with the latest Centerton real estate market data. It’s a fantastic opportunity to ask questions, share your insights, and stay informed!

Stay tuned to my blog and social channels—I’m committed to keeping you updated and positioning myself as your go-to Centerton real estate expert and community resource.

See you Saturday!

—Your Blue Haired Broker, Allie Verdery ✨