Benton Mayor Tom Farmer issued a year-end letter, reviewing highlights for the city in 2025. There were major public projects, private development, and population growth.
Milestones included the opening of the new City Hall on River Street, construction of an expanded Animal Services Center, renovation of the police station, and new fire training and recreation facilities.
The city also supported dozens of residential and commercial developments, completed major street and drainage improvements, and secured grants for infrastructure and park expansions.
Emphasizing fiscal responsibility, Mayor Farmer noted all major projects were completed without a tax increase, and that the city welcomed nearly 400,000 visitors who spent an estimated $24 million.
Looking ahead to 2026, residents can expect more new businesses, housing growth, and continued improvements in city services and amenities. Read the full letter with more details below, asking with a calendar of events for January 2026.
Letter to Benton citizens from Mayor Farmer:
Dec. 29, 2025
Dear fellow Benton residents,
Wow, wow, wow, as we think back about 2025, and the many things we have accomplished in the City of Benton and as we look forward to the many things to come to Benton, I am proud to call Benton my home. For just a minute as we reflect about some accomplishments in the city:
1. In late February 2025, we (Benton City Hall) moved into 410 River Street, where we remodeled the old Benton Junior High School building into a new City Hall. This is where several City departments including City Clerk, Community Development, Business, and Mayor’s office are now located. It is also where the City Council holds their council meetings.
Photo taken at Benton City Hall dedication in April 2025 – by Shelli Poole.
2. Spring 2025 we utilized cash on hand to build a new Animal Services Center, which houses twice as many animals as the old one. The tentative opening date is February 2026 and is located just below the Mountain Bike Park we are so proud of that Parks maintains.
3. Also in Spring 2025, we began the remodel of the old City Hall, turning it into a modernized Police Station again utilizing cash on hand. The tentative opening date will be in mid-January 2026.
4. A Fire Training Center was procured in Summer 2025 and was planned to be opened by the end of 2025, but the manufacturer ran into a few difficulties which pushed the opening into the Spring 2026.
5. Another big accomplishment was a full transition of non-uniformed employees’ retirement systems to APERS without having to phase them into the program. We did it by using cash on hand. This is a huge benefit for our employees by increasing retention of existing employees and attracting new talent.
6. We did all of this without having to ask the people for an increase in taxes or millage.
7. Several grants were acquired that will allow us to expand on our bike paths in 2026.
8. We finished a few phases of the Downtown Stormwater project but still lack a few more to go.
9. Buc-ee’s started their lengthy building process and hired a store manager. The new store manager will be moving into our community in the early part of 2026.
Buc-ee’s photo taken in Texas by Gina Jones Poole.
10. The retail and restaurant development below Encore Heart Hospital began and phase one should be opened in early Summer 2026.
This is a preliminary plan and is subject to change. See the full article at www.mysaline.com/rees
11. Wright’s BBQ purchased the Applebee’s building and began remodeling. Their opening is planned for by June 1, 2026.
13. Sonic Drive-In purchased two additional properties around it to tear down the old Sonic and begin construction with a new and improved Sonic on Military Road.
15. The City of Benton dedicated two bridges in honor of firefighter Paul Baker and CPL Cario Fuller Jr.
16. The construction of an 18-lane indoor gun range began right across from Wood Grill.
17. The City of Benton also began the dirt work for the 6 soccer fields just above the RV park which also started construction.
18. We had the largest attended Christmas Tree lighting in the history of the City of Benton Christmas Tree lighting with almost 1000 people in attendance.
19. City of Benton, according to Metroplan, is one of the fastest growing cities in central Arkansas.
20. We passed a flat budget for 2026 utilizing the same dollar amount we did in 2025 but moving money within the line items to give employees a 2.5% raise for 2026.
21. In Fall of 2025, we installed Veteran’s Day Banner throughout downtown Benton and down South Street.
22. The Master Gardeners did an amazing job keeping the landscaping and flowers updated throughout Downtown. The Master Gardeners designed and oversaw the planting of the New City Hall landscaping.
23. We welcome 2026 with the annual ACDI Ball Drop.
Residential:
1. Heritage Landing – 9 Single Family lot subdivision located on the corner of Dale Ave and River Street.
2. Arbors @ McNeil Creek – Quadplex/Triplex development off Troy Drive.
3. The Prairie – 17 single family lot subdivision located off Galloway Drive.
4. Winchester Drive – 94 lot single family subdivision located off Denise Drive.
5. 521 Third Street – 5 lot single family subdivision for attached housing to be located on the corner of S. Third and Columbia.
6. Rolla Rd – 9 quadplexes to be located off Rolla Rd.
7. Bird Street Apartments – Renovating and adding more apartment buildings to the existing infrastructure.
8. Panther Cove – 30 lot single family residential subdivision to be located off Shenandoah.
9. Mary Kay Place – 26 duplexes built on the corner of Mary Kay and River Street.
10. Lindsey Management expanded their capacity with 5 new units at Longhills.
11. Winchester Way – 20 attached single-family dwellings to be built on the corner of Browning and Winchester.
12. Cottage Walk – 400 single family lot subdivision to be located off Westerman and Northshore.
13. Riverview Addition – 6 attached single family subdivision off of Jackman and Tee Street.
14. Rosemarry Fields – 164 single family lot subdivision to be located off Aaron field Rd.
Commercial:
1. Highway 5 – Office space building built and rented out by Pro Land Title Co.
2. Highway 5 – Clinic space building built and owned by Hometown Family Health and Wellness.
3. Military Rd – Duke Wholesale purchased this lot and will be building their car lot business.
4. The old gas station beside Old Brown’s Country Store on I-30 was bought and plans to be renovated into another gas station.
5. Floors and More property. Will be developed into a 7-lot commercial development and rented/sold to incoming businesses.
6. Military Road—Take 5 Oil Change built.
7. Congo Rd – Old Denton’s Trotline will be renovated into a multipurpose building with residential units on the top and commercial units on the bottom.
8. I-30 – Old Church building bought and renovated by Minton Law Firm for their office space.
9. Space next to Encore Heart Hospital – Will be built into a 7 lot commercial development.
10. N. Market Street – Will be a new office building for Pediatric Dentistry Clinic.
11. S Market Street – Fire Training Center to be built.
12. Alcoa Rd – A New Gas station [C-store] is going to be built.
13. Alcoa Rd – a new Dollar General is planned to be built.
14. Yuma Street – a plumbing company [Drain Right Plumbing] will build their office space here.
15. First Service Bank – bought Old Scooters Coffee shop across from Tommys Car Wash on Alcoa to build a new bank.
16. Streets spent 2.4 million dollars to resurface 15 lane miles of roads.
17. Awarded 3 grants to: Widen Congo, Widen Northshore, and Fourth street sidewalks for a total of 1.5 million dollars.
18. Streets also completed sidewalk projects for Montclair, Harbor View and several sidewalk repairs.
19. Installed 10 Speed Cushions.
20. Repaired over 250 Street Cuts around the City
21. Averaged 130 leaf and debris pick-ups weekly.
22. Repaired and replaced over 50 culverts, inlets, and curbs around the city.
23. Completed the Shoreline Drive drainage projects as well as serval drainage ditch washouts throughout the year.
24. Repaved and restriped the downtown area.
We have really exciting numbers to report about all the wonderful people who visited our great city this past year. In total, we had about 392,700 out-of-town visitors. They spent roughly 24 million dollars in our restaurants, shops, and activities throughout the city.
Here is a very interesting map that shows the nationwide reach Benton has. The darker the red, the more people have visited, but just look at all the corners of the United States, people have come from just to see our great city. As more people move in and Businesses locate to Benton, this map will only grow a deeper shade of red and we are so excited about that.
The Christmas season was filled with love from all of you in the community to those who were in need. The City was blessed to team up with Bright Futures from the Benton School district to collect and provide what was needed for the Benton Student families. It was overwhelming how all of you provided for those you knew about. Thank you for being a caring community.
Calendar for January 2026
- Jan. 1 Thu – City Offices Closed
- Jan. 2 Fri – City is opened
- Jan. 5 Mon – Resolution 1 Meeting
- Jan. 6 Tue – P&Z 6 PM
- Jan.12 – Committee Meetings 5 PM
- Jan. 11 – Committee Meetings 5 PM
- Jan. 14 – A&P Meeting 3:30 PM
- Jan. 17 – MLK Block Party Courthouse Square 10-1 PM
- Jan. 19 – MLK Breakfast at Northside Church of Christ 8 AM
- Jan. 19 – City Offices Closed
- Jan. 26 – Council Meeting 5:30 PM
I know this letter is a little different than what I have sent out in the past, but I wanted to remind everyone of the many great things that we did, that were started in 2025, and the things we’ve got to look forward to in 2026. As we move forward in promoting a positive growth in our city, we want all of you to enjoy the many things coming to Benton.
Have a great day,
Tom Farmer
🖊️
