Multiple Benton City Council committees will convene on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, to consider a packed agenda featuring a proposed land swap for the Southwest Trail development, a new police drone contract, and several major city equipment and park purchases. The public meetings are scheduled to begin at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Benton City Hall. Read more below.
The evening will open at 5:00 p.m. with the Personnel, Health & Safety Committee, chaired by Council Member Frank Baptist, which will consider a proposed amendment to the city’s 2026 wage structure.
Immediately following, the Finance Committee will take up a broad list of municipal contracts and capital recommendations. Key agenda items include:
- Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between the City of Benton and Saline County regarding the county jail and animal services.
- A contract for a Police Brinc Drone First Responder program.
- Parks Department recommendations regarding a turf loan, turf contract, and a new shade canopy for Holland Park.
- Vehicle purchase recommendations for a new Fire Department truck and a Street Department dump truck.
- Review of the 2025 city audit recommendation and Benton Utilities financials for July 2026.
Following Finance, the Community Services Committee will consider a resolution for a proposed land swap near the Saline River trail crossing for the ongoing Southwest Trail development involving the City of Benton, Rick Holland, and Saline County. The committee will also review code compliance property remediation clean-ups for 1707 Dixie St. and 1211 W. South St. Although the Streets and Drainage Committee will not hold a formal meeting, an updated project list will be presented, and street department personnel will be present to answer questions.
The Commissions Committee will review several rezoning ordinances recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission, including properties at Magnolia and N. East Street (R2 to C2), 1323 Columbia Ave. (R2 to R5), 411 E. East Street (R2 to R3), and the intersection of Brown and Cedar (R2 to R3). The committee will also discuss updates to the city’s zoning matrix and duplex zoning districts, as well as resolutions to re-appoint Kevin Malone and Jana Hogue to the Historic District Commission through October 2029.
Additionally, the Animal Services Committee will meet to hear an updated report on the city’s animal shelter facility.
All meetings take place at Benton City Hall, located at 410 River Street, and are open to the public.
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