Centerton City Council Recap: A Full Night of Big Decisions, Clear Wins, and a Brand I’m Proud to Stand Behind

By Allie Verdery, The Blue Haired Broker
Engel & Völkers Bentonville

On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, Centerton’s City Council met for its regular session, and this meeting highlighted how much thoughtful planning and groundwork happens quietly before we ever see a final result. From budget reports to branding, from land acquisition to modernization of public safety tools, this meeting balanced routine governance with decisions that will shape Centerton’s future.

One highlight was the official adoption of Centerton’s new community brand, something I’m genuinely proud to have worked on and excited to share with the public. This recap is detailed and intentional, written so anyone who didn’t attend can clearly understand not just what happened, but why it matters.

Opening the Meeting

Mayor Bill Edwards called the meeting to order for January 13, 2026. Attendees stood for the pledge of allegiance, followed by an opening prayer asking for guidance as council members addressed growth, budgeting, and community priorities.

Roll Call

Council members present were:

• Cliff Thompson (Ward 1 Position 2)

• Cody Miles (Ward 1 Position 1)

• Joshua Hagan (Ward 3 Position 1)

• Josie Reed (Ward 2 Position 2)

• Justin Cowgur (Ward 3 Position 2)

• Wendy Henson (Ward 2 Position 1)

With a full council present, business began.

Minutes and Records

The council approved minutes from the December 9 and December 15 meetings with one correction: Justin Cowgur had been mistakenly listed as present at the December 9 meeting and that was updated before approval.

The council also acknowledged receipt of minutes from:

• Water and Sewer Commission

• Planning Commission (December 2 and December 16)

• Board of Zoning Adjustments (December 16)

These acknowledgments are standard practice so council members stay informed about the work of related boards.

Outcome: Minutes approved and receipt acknowledged by vote.

Financial Report: Wrapping Up 2025

The city presented a year-end financial report showing strong results:

• Revenue: 108%

• Expenses: 99.23%

The mayor explained that the revenue figure includes the anticipated beginning balance of $1.2 million, which contributes to the total. Still, the overall picture showed fiscal responsibility and strong performance.

A couple of items were called out in more detail:

• City sales tax was slightly up compared to the prior month

• County sales tax also showed a positive trend

• The Street Department posted 118% revenue and 105% expenses, with remaining balance carrying over

Employee Recognition

Council member Josie Reed asked all city employees in attendance to stand so the council could publicly thank them for a job well done, recognizing that departments finished under budget on expenses while exceeding revenue. She noted that carryover balances were solid and emphasized that even categories with small percentages can represent large dollar amounts.

Outcome: Council approved the financial report, general fund, street fund, and court report.

Department Reports

Reports from city departments were in the council packet, and several department heads were present. No questions were raised.

Outcome: Department reports accepted as part of the council record.

Public Comment

Ryan Blue, Judicial Candidate

Ryan Blue introduced himself as a candidate for Circuit Court Judge, Division 8, a new judicial division that will handle civil, criminal, and family law matters. He shared his experience as a long-time Arkansas attorney, his service background, and his approach to fairness, accountability, and community-focused decision making.

No other comments were submitted during public comment.

Outcome: Public comment period concluded.

Suspended Reading Rules for Ordinances

Before moving into legislation, the council voted to suspend the rule requiring ordinances and resolutions be read on three separate occasions, allowing them to be read by title only for efficiency.

Outcome: Motion approved by roll call.

Ordinance 2026-01: Right-of-Way and Utility Easement Dedications

This ordinance accepted right-of-way and utility easements related to a property line adjustment for Tommy and Susan Johnson at 12600 Huber Road. The mayor noted the property would be discussed again shortly under rezoning.

Outcome: Ordinance adopted.

Ordinance 2026-02: Rezoning Johnson Property

The Johnson property at the same location was rezoned from Agricultural (A-1) to Residential Estate (R-E). Council clarified that Residential Estate zoning requires a 2.5-acre minimum lot size, and this parcel is 5.95 acres, making it eligible.

The mayor noted that the Planning Commission had unanimously approved the rezoning at its December 16 meeting with no public comment at the planning stage.

Outcome: Ordinance adopted.

Resolution 2026-01: Support for Federal Surplus Property Program

This resolution expressed the council’s support for reviving the state-run federal surplus property program, which helps cities acquire surplus equipment and materials at reduced cost. Centerton has benefited from this program in the past.

The Municipal League asked cities across Arkansas to adopt support resolutions to send to the legislature.

Outcome: Resolution adopted.

Resolution 2026-02: Adoption of Centerton’s New Community Brand

This was one of the most significant moments of the meeting.

City staff presented the new Centerton community brand, a project in progress for about six months with a process rooted in research, community engagement, and collaboration. Participants included local stakeholders (leaders, residents, and even high school students) working with the University of Central Arkansas Center for Community and Economic Development and supported by a grant linked to the Walton Family Foundation. Thrive, a design and marketing firm, helped turn the input into a cohesive brand system.

What makes this brand more than just a logo:

• It establishes consistent standards for how the city visually communicates (logos, colors, fonts, imagery)

• It includes department-level logos to unify how Centerton presents itself

• It’s research-based, reflecting both Centerton’s history and its future

The design features:

• An apple cross-section referencing Centerton’s agricultural heritage

• A subtle “C” for Centerton

• A star composed of seed shapes representing community unity and a nod to the Arkansas state flag

The tagline reinforces that Centerton’s strength comes from its people, even as growth transforms the physical landscape.

Council members praised the work and pointed out how this will bring consistency and professionalism to how the city is represented visually.

Outcome: Resolution adopted.

Resolution 2026-03: Authorization of PowerDMS Software for the Police Department

The next item was Resolution 2026-03, which authorized the purchase of PowerDMS software for the Centerton Police Department.

The department explained that many internal operations are still analog, including:

• policy management

• training documentation

• field training officer reporting

• personnel files

PowerDMS will help automate and centralize these functions, making them easier to manage and track. Some key benefits discussed:

• Digital policy and training delivery

• Scheduled and tracked training for all officers

• Mobile access for officers

• Support for accreditation with the Arkansas Chiefs of Police Association

• A public engagement feature for direct communication that isn’t reliant on social media platforms

The pricing structure was clearly explained:

• Year one: no software cost beyond accreditation startup fees

• Year two: discounted rate

• Year three: full pricing

• The contract is year-to-year, meaning the city is not locked into a multi-year deal

• All city data remains the city’s property

Council members asked thoughtful questions about budgeting, data ownership, and engagement features. The resolution included a contingency that the city attorney review the contract before final execution.

Outcome: Resolution adopted, contingent on legal review.

Advertising and Promotion Commission Updates

The city’s Advertising and Promotion Commission (A&P) has seven seats, including two council members, four business owners who collect A&P tax, and one at-large member appointed by the mayor.

The mayor reappointed Skye Petty as the at-large member, whose term will run through January 13, 2030.

The council also adopted a policy allowing A&P committee members to attend meetings virtually. The requirements:

• virtual attendees must have their cameras on

• the public must be able to participate virtually, not just listen

This change was prompted by ongoing quorum challenges due to early meeting times and member schedules.

Outcome: Reappointment and virtual meeting policy adopted.

Letter of Intent for Donation of Approximately 88.4 Acres

During this meeting, council acknowledged a letter of intent regarding the possible donation of approximately 88.4 acres of land to the City of Centerton, through efforts connected to the Walton Family Foundation.

Who is donating the land and why it matters

This is not a purchase. Multiple parties affiliated with Walton-related initiatives are offering the land to Centerton at no cost, with the goal of preserving it for public benefit. The Walton Family Foundation has a history of supporting community-focused projects, outdoor access, and land conservation throughout Northwest Arkansas.

What the land could become

No final plan exists yet, but possible future uses discussed include:

• extensive walking and biking trails

• green space for public recreation

• outdoor activities that connect neighborhoods

• a community hub for health, wellness, and nature

A tentative conceptual trail layout was shown during the meeting, but staff emphasized that this is not a final design. Once the land is officially deeded to the city (expected by March 2) and the 17 acres that are currently outside city limits are annexed, the focus will shift to:

• land cleanup

• design planning

• funding its development (including grant opportunities)

The importance of this donation cannot be overstated. Land of this size and with public-use potential is increasingly rare, especially in communities experiencing rapid growth. Securing it now preserves long-term options for parks, trails, and outdoor spaces that will benefit current and future residents.

Council members also discussed access points and road improvements needed before public use can happen, noting there are existing access points off Arland Road and opportunities to connect trails more broadly.

Outcome: Council acknowledged the letter of intent.

Rules of Order for 2026

As required annually, the council reaffirmed its rules of order, including:

• how meetings are organized

• quorum requirements

• the mayor’s role

• public access to records

Outcome: Rules adopted.

Other Business: Grants, Sidewalks, Reserves, and Sewer Capacity

The mayor shared an update on grant activity, including a cumulative total of about $44 million in grant applications, with several major successes such as a $3.4 million joint grant for Greenhouse Road utilities.

He also explained how the city manages reserves and investment accounts, reviewed ongoing sidewalk and trail projects, and walked through impact fee balances across departments.

A large portion of discussion was dedicated to sewer capacity challenges, particularly the permit and litigation landscape involving Decatur and Tulsa. The council and staff emphasized that while capacity has been indicated, its use is currently tied up in appeals and potential federal litigation, which could delay infrastructure connections for years.

Council members pushed for plain-language explanations of how that affects local development projects, including Walmart, and acknowledged the reality that legal timelines are outside the city’s direct control. Multiple options, including regional utility authorities and connections with neighboring systems, are being considered.

A developer also raised the possibility of decentralized wastewater systems as an interim option. Council members agreed that further study through the Water and Sewer Commission will be needed before any definitive steps are taken.

Mayor Compensation Discussion

A council member proposed a one-time bonus for the mayor, citing his leadership, transparency, and financial stewardship.

Mayor Edwards respectfully declined, stating he was satisfied with his current compensation and preferred to move forward.

No action was taken.

Coffee With the Mayor

Mayor Edwards reminded everyone that Coffee With the Mayor is scheduled for Saturday at 9:00 a.m. at 290 North Main Street. The city will showcase the new brand publicly and provide updates to residents.

I will be there as well, presenting a 2025 real estate recap and sharing market insights for our community.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned following a motion and second.

A Personal Note

I want to close by saying how proud I am of the Centerton brand that was presented and adopted. This was thoughtful, community-driven work rooted in who Centerton is and where it’s headed. For a city growing as quickly as ours, clarity in identity matters.

As someone who works daily with families, businesses, and investors choosing Centerton, I can say with confidence that this brand, combined with strategic land preservation, infrastructure planning, and transparent governance, positions our city well for the future.

I look forward to sharing all of this with the public at Coffee With the Mayor on Saturday, along with my 2025 real estate recap.