The Benton City Council is set to consider several significant items Monday, Aug. 24, including an offer of 3.35 acres from Buc-ee’s for public green space.
Among the other agenda items are: increasing several city fees and stormwater charges, accepting a $330,000 transportation grant and considering two zoning matters.
The agenda meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Benton City Hall, 410 River St., with the regular council meeting immediately afterward. Read more below.
Buc-ee’s land donation:
One of the most notable items on the agenda is Resolution No. 45, which would allow the city to accept approximately 3.35 acres of property from Buc-ee’s Benton, LLC for public open-space, park and green-space purposes.
The property is part of land acquired by Buc-ee’s in 2025 and is located along the Highway 229 corridor. Under the proposed agreement, the property would be subject to restrictive covenants limiting its use to green space and prohibiting certain development and competitive uses.
The agreement would also give Buc-ee’s a right of first refusal to purchase the property if the city ever voluntarily seeks to transfer ownership. That right would expire no later than 30 years after the agreement takes effect.
The proposed resolution states that the property would be open to the public for recreational purposes without an admission charge. The city would retain its governmental powers involving zoning, planning, permitting, taxation, police powers and other regulatory matters.
Development fees:
Ordinance No. 44 would revise a number of fees charged by the city for construction, remodeling, development and related services. The proposed changes are scheduled to take effect Oct. 1, 2026.
Proposed changes:
- Minimum Permit Fee for Remodels/new Construction to $30
- Fence Permits – All Permits $25 inline with other cities; City Staff and Benton Utilities review all Fences already and there is no charge unless > 8ft height
- Commercial Site Plan Review Fee – Covers the review of Site Plans and Developments prior to going to Planning Commission. Multiple City Departments and Benton Utilities spend staff hours on these reviews prior to building permits at no charge currently, numerous projects never make it to Building Permit stage
- Excavation Permit Fee: Fee for utility work in City ROW and Easements; Fee covers staff time before, during, and after utility work for clean-up and record keeping
- Penalty for Work without Permit: Current ordinance requires court action prior to implementing a fine or increase permit fee; Changes to allow staff upon report of work being done without a permit leads to a permit fee of at minimum 3x the permit fee.
The city says the fee changes are intended to more closely recover the administrative and operational costs associated with providing the services rather than to raise general revenue.
Stormwater fees:
One of the largest changes for Benton utility customers would be the proposed increase in monthly stormwater fees.
Under the proposal, the commercial stormwater charge would increase from $1.50 to $10 per month, while the residential charge would increase from 50 cents to $5 per month. Residential customers who are at least 65 years old or who receive Social Security Disability benefits would qualify for a reduced $2 monthly rate.
The stormwater money would remain in a restricted fund and could be used only for stormwater-related purposes, including personnel, maintenance, operations, capital improvements and stormwater management projects.
The proposed ordinance also includes penalties for knowingly beginning work that requires a permit without obtaining one or knowingly understating a project’s square footage or construction valuation. The proposed fines would be up to $1,000 for a first offense, $2,000 for a second offense and $4,000 for subsequent offenses, with additional daily penalties possible for continuing violations.
Congo/Shenandoah roundabout:
The council is also scheduled to consider accepting a $330,000 CARTS 2026 Surface Transportation Block Grant from the Metroplan Board.
The grant would reimburse Benton for design work associated with the Congo Road/Shenandoah Roundabout project and would be added to the city’s FY2026 Street Improvement Fund budget. The project is subject to federal requirements, including a required non-federal match.
$1M early bond redemption:
Resolution No. 47 would authorize the City to use tax revenues for the partial redemption ($1 million) in outstanding City of Benton Capital Improvement Revenue Bonds, Series 2015, on Nov. 1, 2026.
The proposed redemption consists of:
- $140,000 in bonds maturing in 2043,
- $350,000 maturing in 2042,
- $340,000 maturing in 2041 and
- $170,000 maturing in 2040.
The bonds are secured by franchise tax collections received from public utility customers in the city.
Two proposed liens:
The council is scheduled to consider two resolutions seeking certified liens against properties for expenses incurred by the city.
For 1607 S. Neeley St., the proposed lien amount is $5,607.96, consisting of $5,070.88 in abatement costs, $30 in administrative and filing costs and a $507.08 collection penalty. The amount is subject to determination at a public hearing.
For 122 West Drive, the proposed amount is $272.96, based on $220.88 in abatement costs, $30 in administrative and filing costs and a $22.08 collection penalty. City records indicate the work at 122 West Drive involved mowing the property.
Hwy 5 to commercial:
Ordinance No. 45 would rezone property at 507 Highway 5 from R-2 Single Family Residential to C-3 Service Commercial.
The Planning Commission recommended approval following an Aug. 4 public hearing. The ordinance would allow the property to fall under the city’s C-3 zoning regulations, although the rezoning itself would not approve a specific building, site plan or development proposal.
Jackson St. Youth home:
Ordinance No. 46 would grant a conditional use permit for a youth home at 2010 Jackman St. and conditionally repeal the existing permit for a youth home at 1400 Pleasant Poplar Cove.
The proposed permit would limit the home to five resident children and three on-site staff members, excluding the operator’s immediate family. The property would have to comply with applicable building, fire, electrical, plumbing and property maintenance codes, and off-street parking would be required.
If the facility provides 24-hour care, training, education, custody or supervision for six or more unrelated children, it would be subject to Arkansas licensing requirements for a residential child-care facility.
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