Centerton City Council Recap for December 9, 2025

As your Centerton Luxury Real Estate Advisor and someone who sits through these meetings so you do not have to, I am bringing you a clear and approachable breakdown of what happened at the December 9 City Council meeting. This was one of those nights where routine business mixed with very big conversations, especially around wastewater, community investment, and long term planning.

Whether you follow every vote or simply want to stay informed about the issues shaping our city, here is what stood out.

Opening Business and Financial Health

The meeting opened with the Pledge, a prayer, and roll call, followed by approval of minutes from recent Council, Water and Sewer Commission, and Planning Commission meetings.

Our city’s finances remain very stable. Revenues are at one hundred one percent for the year and expenditures sit at approximately ninety two percent. A few important items came up in the financial report:

• Distribution of property taxes arriving for November
• A major funding win where the city received a two hundred fifty thousand dollar grant for a building remodel, and the city will match that amount for a total of five hundred thousand dollars committed to the project
• Street Department revenues at one hundred twelve percent and expenditures at one hundred two percent which is still in a healthy range

City staff were thanked repeatedly for careful budgeting during what has been a challenging financial year.

Department Reports and Public Comment

Department reports were presented with no major discussion.

During public comment, a resident raised concerns about a proposed ten unit food truck court at Town View and North Main. The concern centered on whether the use fits the zoning for that corner and how it may impact long term planning in a key area of Centerton. The proposal will go before Planning Commission next week, but the comment signaled early public interest in the item.

Key Ordinances Passed

Several ordinances were voted on during the meeting, and most passed swiftly.

Ordinance 2025 61

Increased the purchase order requirement from five hundred dollars to one thousand dollars to reduce unnecessary administrative work for department heads.

Ordinance 2025 62

Increased Water and Sewer Commission meeting compensation from two hundred dollars to two hundred fifty dollars per meeting. All funding comes from Commission funds, not the general fund.

Ordinance 2025 63

Approved a scheduled four percent raise for the City Clerk as outlined in the 2026 budget.

Ordinance 2025 64

Proposed a four percent raise for the Mayor. The Council began discussing it early in the meeting, but the vote could not be completed without Council Member Justin present. The item was tabled and will be taken up again during a special City Council meeting next week, when the full voting body is present.

Ordinance 2025 65

Accepted a fifty foot right of way dedication from Steve and Jill Mitchell at Highway 72 near Wicked Bean to support future roadway expansion.

Ordinance 2025 66

Approved changes to the Landing Subdivision on Greenhouse Road by reducing rear setbacks from forty five feet to forty feet on forty lots.

Water and Sewer Rate Discussions

Two ordinances relating to water and sewer rates were introduced, and a public hearing was held. No residents came forward to comment.

Ordinance 2025 67

Proposed a fifty cent increase to the sewer base rate for 2026.

Ordinance 2025 68

Proposed a forty five cent increase per one thousand gallons for water usage and a fifty cent increase to the water base rate.

Both ordinances were tabled after the city attorney noted that updated language had not been fully reviewed. These ordinances will return at a special City Council meeting next week, when legal review is complete and Council can take action with full information.

Current water and sewer rates will remain unchanged for January billing.

Investments in Community Facilities

Several resolutions were approved to improve key facilities throughout the city.

Resolution 2025 45

Approved a contract with Milestone Construction to add air conditioning and complete interior upgrades at the animal shelter. The project will not exceed one hundred thirty four thousand dollars and will be funded through the 2025 budget, the 2026 budget, and private community donations.

Resolution 2025 46

Approved the sale of a small portion of right of way to ARDOT for the Highway 102 widening project near Southland Ditch.

Resolution 2025 47

Approved the sale of a second piece of right of way to ARDOT for the Highway 102 widening project, located in front of the fire department.

Resolution 2025 48

Approved a seven hundred seventy seven thousand dollar contract with Ellingson Contracting to expand the Public Works building. Funding is already secured, and temporary workspace has been arranged during construction.

Regional Wastewater Strategy Discussion

Resolution 2025 49

Council considered whether Centerton should formally explore a regional approach to wastewater treatment in partnership with the City of Decatur.

This was the most detailed and emotionally charged part of the night. The discussion covered many important topics:

• How a regional wastewater authority differs from joint ownership or simple contractual partnerships
• Questions about representation and how many seats Centerton would hold on a future governing entity
• Concerns about being bound by decisions made by a larger regional board
• Long term financial limitations that prevent Decatur from expanding its plant alone
• Tulsa’s recent challenge regarding phosphorus discharge and how this affects Decatur’s ability to expand
• Ensuring that every possible path is fully explored before committing to any plan

Attorneys, engineers, and commissioners explained that state law does not allow two cities to jointly own a treatment facility without forming a legally recognized authority. They also noted that a regional authority is more likely to receive a higher credit rating and improved access to grants, lower interest rates, and statewide support.

Resolution 2025 49 does not commit Centerton to joining a regional entity. It only authorizes staff and commissioners to gather data, explore options, compare pathways, and return with recommendations.

Summary of the State’s Wastewater Study Presentation

Engineer Aaron Benzing presented an overview of the statewide wastewater study currently underway. His presentation offered an early look at the data that will guide Centerton’s long term planning.

1. Evaluating Capacity at the Decatur Plant

One of the most significant unknowns is how much additional wastewater flow the Decatur plant can legally and environmentally accept.
• The receiving stream is under heightened scrutiny.
• Tulsa has formally challenged the most recent permit because total phosphorus loads have increased as flows increased.
• If the Decatur plant has tighter limits than expected, Centerton cannot plan future growth based solely on Decatur.

2. Evaluating Capacity at the NACA System

Aaron shared that the state is also evaluating the Northwest Arkansas Conservation Authority system. The study will determine:
• How much flow NACA could accept
• What the long term restrictions might be
• How statewide phosphorus regulations could affect capacity

3. High Level Cost Comparisons

The study is gathering early cost estimates for every possible wastewater path, including:
• Further expansion at Decatur
• Increasing flow to NACA
• Creating a new regional facility
• Considering independent solutions if needed

A forty million dollar project can look very different depending on partnership structure, credit ratings, interest rates, and grant availability.

4. Thinking Outside the Box and Planning Beyond Current Law

Aaron emphasized that Centerton and Decatur have been challenged by the state to think outside the box as they navigate long term wastewater needs. This means considering:
• Options not currently allowed under existing regulations
• Solutions that could become viable with future legislation
• New or alternative treatment methods that may gain regulatory approval later
• Regional or statewide partnerships that do not yet exist

This push encourages cities to expand their vision beyond today’s constraints and consider what future laws and technologies might make possible.

Council members expressed appreciation for this broader perspective and emphasized that they cannot make long term commitments without this data.

Amended Language to Resolution 2025 49

Council members asked that any wording suggesting the regional model is already the preferred option be removed. The final version simply states that the city is interested in exploring regional options, not committing to them. With this change, the resolution passed.

Closing Notes

The meeting ended with reminders for the upcoming Centerton Christmas Parade on December 12 at six o clock in the evening.

Final Takeaways for Centerton Residents

Water and sewer rates remain unchanged

All three related ordinances will return for action during the special meeting next week.

Community facilities are improving

The animal shelter and Public Works complex both received meaningful investments.

Long term wastewater planning is underway

The city is pursuing a thoughtful and transparent evaluation of every option before making decisions that affect decades of future growth.

Your council members showed strong leadership

They asked difficult questions and worked to ensure that residents receive clear, responsible, and well informed decision making from their elected officials.

If you would like a deeper breakdown of any ordinance, vote, or long term planning topic, I am always here to help you understand what these decisions mean for our community.