Benton Council approves sale of Mustang, rejects quadplex request, approves school resource officers

The Benton City Council had a full meeting last week, rejecting two controversial multifamily rezoning requests and accepting the withdrawal of a third, during its regular meeting on Monday, July 27.

The council also approved a contract for nine school resource officers, along with fireworks for touchdowns during Benton High School football games, selling surplus vehicles – a Mustang and a Crown Vic, updating software for permitting, and updating zoning definitions for tiny homes and other alternative housing. Read the details below.

The meeting started with Mayor Tom Farmer telling the council that City Attorney Baxter Drennon was stranded at the Atlanta airport but would participate in the session via speakerphone.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

In Community Service business, the council unanimously approved four resolutions to place certified liens against real properties for cleanup expenses incurred by the city.

The properties include 313 East North Street ($272.96), 708 Burton Street ($547.96), 1222 Cherry Street ($272.96), and 1704 Huntley Street ($547.96).

The council approved Resolution 36, exempting Benton High School football games from the local fireworks ordinance. This allows the school’s athletic program to shoot non-concussion fireworks after touchdowns during home and playoff games. The fireworks will be funded by the Benton Athletic parents.

The committee awarded a $34,000 contract to TekConnectGov for new online permitting software, which will have an annual maintenance fee of $15,000.

FINANCE

Under Finance Committee business, the council unanimously approved five resolutions, including:

Resolution 38 (Approved): Authorizing a contract with the Benton School District to place nine school resource officers across every campus for the 2026-2027 school year. Under the cost-sharing agreement, the school district pays 65% of the cost. SROs will perform standard patrol duties when school is not in session.

Resolution 39 (Approved): Declaring a 2012 Ford Mustang with approximately 113,000 miles as surplus property to be sold at a public auction.

Resolution 40 (Approved): Amending the Fire Department budget to accept a 90/10 FEMA grant of $51,987, requiring a city match of $5,216, to purchase seven thermal imaging cameras.

Resolution 41 (Approved): Amending the Fire Department budget to allocate $2,625 in proceeds from the sale of a surplus 2007 Ford Crown Victoria toward facility maintenance.

Resolution 42 (Approved): Amending the 2026 city budget to reallocate funds between departmental line items to cover higher-than-expected fuel costs.

PLANNING

The most significant discussions were regarding several rezoning ordinances brought forward by the Planning Commission:

Ordinance 38 (Approved): Rezoning 2409 Military Road from single-family (R1) to general commercial (C2) to allow for a planned electric company warehouse. The zoning was approved 10-0.

Ordinance 39 (Approved): Rezoning 1206 Tiner Cove from agricultural (AG) to single-family (R2). The zoning was approved 10-0.

Ordinance 40 (Failed): A proposal to rezone 1715 and 1717 Deerfield Road from single-family (R2) to multifamily (R5) to allow quadplexes. Following public opposition from resident Steven regarding high-density development, the council voted down the measure 8-2.

Ordinance 41 (Withdrawn): A request to rezone 411 East South Street from R2 to R5. The applicant, Bilson Properties LLC, withdrew the request after multiple council members expressed hesitation about the development.

Ordinance 42 (Failed): A proposal to rezone 1841 and 1829 Watts Road from R1 to R5. Neighboring resident Mickey Sue voiced safety concerns over the narrow road and traffic. The rezoning failed on a 7-3 vote.

Ordinance 43 (Approved): Updates and clarifies city definitions for alternative housing options. The new language defines parameters for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), mini-storage facilities, modular homes, multifamily buildings, and tiny homes.

Under the new code, site-built tiny homes on permanent foundations will be treated as single-family detached homes, whereas transportable tiny homes on wheels will be classified as recreational vehicles and restricted to RV parks.

You can watch the full video of the Benton City Council pre-meeting and regular meeting on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oklRIkOZsRA.

• Saline County Events List •.

• Get MySaline’s free newsletter •

PREVIOUSLY 07/24/26:
FIND THE FULL MEETING AGENDA BELOW.

The Benton City Council will have a full agenda on July 27, 2026, including votes on a contract for school resource officers, multiple property liens and several rezoning requests. The session begins with an agenda meeting at 5:30 p.m. at Benton City Hall, located at 410 River St., with the regular council meeting immediately following. Read more below.

The Finance Committee will present a resolution that authorizes Mayor Tom Farmer to execute a contract with the Benton School District. This agreement provides nine school resource officers for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Council members will also consider amending the fire department budget to incorporate a FEMA grant, authorize facility maintenance funds and declare city property as surplus for a public auction (2007 Ford Crown Victoria).

The Community Service Committee seeks to place certified liens against four properties to recoup expenses incurred by the city. These properties are located at

313 E. North St.,
708 Burton St.,
1222 Cherry St. and
1704 Huntley St.

Additionally, the committee proposes a contract with TekConnectGov for new online permitting software and a resolution to allow fireworks displays at Benton High School football games.

The Planning Commission brings five rezoning ordinances for the council to review. These measures include rezoning 2409 Military Road from single-family to general commercial and updating classifications for properties at the following locations to support single-family and multi-family developments:

Tiner Cove,
Deerfield Road,
East South Street and
Watts Road

Officials will also review an amendment to update definitions for specific uses and structures within the Benton zoning ordinance.

The following is the full agenda:

Benton City Council agenda July 27, 2026. 5:30 p.m. agenda meeting, Council meeting immediately following the agenda meeting. Benton City Hall, 410 River Street, Benton, AR 72015

I. Call to order – Mayor Tom Farmer

II. Invocation – Pastor Cody Calhoun

III. Pledge of allegiance – Council Member Baptist

IV. Roll call – City clerk

V. Statement of FOIA compliance & roll call.

VI. Approval of minutes – June 22, 2026 regular meeting

VII. Committee reports & motions

A&P commission – Council Member Brown/Baptist – No items listed.
Animal services committee – Council Member Villines/Hamm – No items listed.
Commissions committee – Council Member Spencer-Cole/Reed – No items listed.
Community service – Council Member Reed/Spencer-Cole

A.) Resolution no. 32 of 2026
A resolution requesting the Saline County tax collector to place a certified lien against real said property located at 313 E. North Street as a result of incurred expenses by the City of Benton in accordance with state law and city ordinance; and for other purposes.

B.) Resolution no. 33 of 2026
A resolution requesting the Saline County tax collector to place a certified lien against real said property located at 708 Burton Street as a result of incurred expenses by the City of Benton in accordance with state law and city ordinance; and for other purposes.

C.) Resolution no. 34 of 2026
A resolution requesting the Saline County tax collector to place a certified lien against real said property located at 1222 Cherry Street as a result of incurred expenses by the City of Benton in accordance with state law and city ordinance; and for other purposes.

D.) Resolution no. 35 or 2026
A resolution requesting the Saline County tax collector to place a certified lien against real said property located at 1704 Huntley Street as a result of incurred expenses by the City of Benton in accordance with state law and city ordinance; and for other purposes.

E.) Resolution no. 36 of 2026
A resolution exempting Benton High School football games from ordinance no. 29 of 2007; providing for fireworks display by the Benton High School athletics pursuant to ordinance no. 41 of 2022 on the same dates; and for other purposes.

F.) Resolution no. 37 of 2026
A resolution accepting the lowest responsive and responsible bid and awarding a contract to TekConnectGov. for the purchase and implementation of an online permitting software; authorizing the Mayor to execute the contract and related documents; and for other purposes.

Finance committee – Council Member Brown/Morrow

A.) Resolution no. 38 of 2026 A resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a contract with the Benton School District for the placement of nine (9) school resource officers for the 2026-2027 school year; and for other purposes.

B.) Resolution no. 39 of 2026 A resolution declaring certain personal property of the City of Benton as surplus; authorizing the sale of such surplus property at public auction; and for other purposes.

C.) Resolution no. 40 of 2026 A resolution amending the FY2026 fire department general fund budget to increase revenue and expenditure appropriations for a FEMA grant ward; and for other purposes.

D.) Resolution no. 41 of 2026 A resolution amending the FY2026 fire department general fund budget to increase revenues from the sale of a 2007 Ford Crown Victoria and to increase appropriations for fire department facility maintenance; and for other purposes.

E.) Resolution no. 42 of 2026 A resolution amending the FY2026 City of Benton budget to reallocate appropriations among budget line items; and for other purposes.

Parks committee – Council Member Hart/Lee
Personnel/health & safety committee – Council Member Baptist/Morrow
Planning commission – Council Member Spencer-Cole

A.) Ordinance no. 38 of 2026 An ordinance rezoning property identified as 2409 Military Road in the City of Benton, Saline County, Arkansas from R1 single family district to C2 general commercial; amending the official zoning map; and for other purposes.

B.) Ordinance no. 39 of 2026 An ordinance rezoning property identified as 1206 Tiner Cove in the City of Benton, Saline County, Arkansas from AG agriculture to R2 single family district; amending the official zoning map; and for other purposes.

C.) Ordinance no. 40 of 2026 An ordinance rezoning property identified as 1715 & 1717 Deerfield Road in the City of Benton, Saline County, Arkansas, from R2 single family district to R5 multi family district; amending the official zoning map; and for other purposes.

D.) Ordinance no. 41 of 2026 An ordinance rezoning property identified as 411 East South Street in the City of Benton, Saline County, Arkansas, from R2 single family district to R5 multi family district; amending the official zoning map; and for other purposes.

E.) Ordinance no. 42 of 2026 An ordinance rezoning property identified as parcels 800-02297-000 & 800-02298-000 (1841 and 1829 Watts Rd) in the City of Benton, Saline County, Arkansas, from R1 single family district to R5 multi family district; amending the official zoning map; and for other purposes.

F.) Ordinance no. 43 of 2026 An ordinance amending section 2.002 of the Benton zoning ordinance regarding definitions for certain uses and types of structures; and for other purposes.