Dear Community Members,
I’ve heard from a few of you that sometimes the newsletter hits your spam/junk folders. Please make sure to add this newsletter’s email address ([email protected]) to your email contacts in order to make sure the emails come to your main inbox going forward.
Local Events
Thurs., July 10 at 6:30 p.m. - Troublemaking 101: Organizing to Change Your Community virtual event hosted by national org: Red, Wine, and Blue; Join their Troublemaking 101 training to learn the basics of organizing and how Red Wine & Blue can help you be successful. Listen as other RWB members share their experiences with local organizing and learn how to connect with RWB grassroots leaders nationwide. Register HERE.
Mon., July 14 at 6:30 p.m. - Democratic Party of Benton County (DPBC) July Meeting at NWACC Peterson Auditorium (900 SE Eagle Way, Bentonville); Doors open at 6. You don’t want to miss this month’s meeting featuring a fantastic panel discussing how national policies are effecting our Immigrant Community. Panel members include Irvin Camacho, Ellen Weintraut, and Nathan Bogart. Alejandra Schaeffer will moderate.
Tues., July 15 starting at 5:30 p.m. - DPBC July Social Hour at Stoic Brews Alternative (410 SW 8th St.) - all welcome to join with like-minded Dems for community building in a relaxed atmosphere
Thurs., July 24 6 - 7:15 p.m. - League of Women Voters Benton County July Member Meeting at the Rotary Conference room in the Bentonville Public Library; Join for an overview of the League-sponsored ballot initiative followed by signature collection training that covers best practices, compliance, and updates on new regulations (read more about the training in the Arkansas Advocate HERE).
Community Involvement Opportunities
Apply to be a Circles Northwest Arkansas Ally
Become a circle ally, a person who supports a Circle Leader’s commitment to climb out of poverty and achieve his or her goals. Your job as an Ally is to come alongside a Circle Leader and build an intentional friendship and support system. Prior to starting the Circles program, you will receive training to help increase your understanding of poverty in our community and learn how to be an effective Ally.
This training will prepare you for the Circles process. After successfully completing training, you and 1-2 other Allies will be paired with a Circle Leader. It is your job to be the Circle Leader’s biggest supporter as they work to achieve the goals they have set for themselves. Check out the application HERE.
Groundwork CHATS Sessions on Housing Solutions
Join Groundwork and participate in a CHATS (Connecting Housing and Transformative Solutions) session—a new initiative bringing residents together to talk about housing challenges and explore solutions for Northwest Arkansas.
CHATS is a guided, small-group discussion where community members learn about local housing issues, share their experiences, and explore how they can be part of the solution. It’s a chance to connect with neighbors, learn something new, and shape the future of housing in our region.
Upcoming Sessions Listed below - Register to attend HERE
Thursday, July 10 | 11 AM – 1 PM | Springdale – NWA Council
Thursday, July 10 | 6 – 8 PM | Bentonville – Onward HQ
Saturday, August 9 | 10 AM – 12 PM | Springdale – NWA Council
Wednesday, August 13 | 11 AM – 1 PM | Bentonville – Onward HQ
Municipal Government Awareness
Bella Vista
Next Council Mtng: Monday, July 21 at 5:30 p.m. (2483 Forest Hills Blvd) - Work Session
Items of Note:
FOIA requests of public information will now be able to submit open records requests through an online form HERE. The online form includes two submission options – a police department specific form for those records pertaining only to Bella Vista Police Department incidents and cases, and a general city form for records pertaining to any other city department, including the Bella Vista Fire Department.
Over the holiday weekend, City Councilmember Wendy Hughes announced that she will be running for Bella Vista mayor in 2026. Check out more information about her campaign HERE.
Bentonville
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, July 8 at 6 p.m. (305 SW A St.)
Items of Note:
The public is invited to attend a community meeting on Thurs., July 17, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the Bentonville Library’s Walmart Room, where the city will unveil the first draft of its new Unified Development Code (UDC)—a modern, user-friendly zoning code designed to guide Bentonville’s growth in a way that reflects the community’s input and ambitions. The gathering will include both a presentation and conversation. Stations will be set up throughout the room to help attendees explore different aspects of the draft code at their own pace. City staff and project team members will be on hand to walk you through details, answer your questions, and collect your thoughts. Learn more HERE.
Bentonville is accepting applications for the Public Art Advisory Committee. Applicants must be a registered voter, reside within the corporate limits of Bentonville, and be available to attend monthly meetings and occasional special meetings. Ideal candidates are arts professionals, including curators, visual artists, art historians, collectors, fabricators, architects, landscape architects, graphic designers, and educators. Apply by July 11th HERE.
Cave Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, July 8 at 6:00 p.m. (134 N. Main St.) - Work Session
Centerton
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, July 8 at 6 p.m. (210 Municipal Dr.)
Items of Note:
From Thomas Saccente in the NWA Dem Gazz, “Centerton aiming to draw in more people with updated logo, branding - Drawing more people, businesses to city is goal”
Coffee with the Mayor is scheduled for Saturday, July 12th at 9 a.m. at the Centerton Community Room (290 N Main)
Gravette
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, July 8 at 5:30 p.m. (202 Main St. NE) - Committee of the Whole
Lowell
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, July 15 at 6:30 p.m. (216 N. Lincoln St.)
Pea Ridge
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, July 8 at 6 p.m. (911 Weston St.)
Items of Note:
Check out Mayor Nathan See’s opinion piece this week in Talk Business & Politics, “Pea Ridge’s path to smart growth”
Rogers
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, July 8 at 6 p.m. (301 W. Chestnut)
Siloam Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, July 15 at 6:30 p.m. (400 N. Broadway)
Items of Note:
If you were not able to attend the town hall for the Unified Development Code last month, you can watch the full recording HERE
Springdale
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, July 8 at 6 p.m. (201 Spring St.)
Items of Note:
From Edward McKinnon in the NWA Dem Gazz, “Springdale City Council committee approves $4.7 million for new fire station”
The City of Springdale will be holding two Public Input Sessions for the 2026 City Budget. Meetings will be held on Monday, Aug. 4 & 18 at 5 p.m. in the City Council chambers (201 Spring St). Online feedback will also be taken until 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29th HERE.
At Tuesday’s meeting, the mayor will request reappointing Joel Gardner to the Springdale Airport Commission (new term expires July 2029)
County Government Awareness
Wastewater Limitations
Doug Thompson from NWA Dem Gazz had an excellent article this weekend about Northwest Arkansas’s growth limitations due to wastewater constraints. Read his entire piece HERE. General recap below:
60 of the 80 million gallons a day of treatment capacity in NWA is already consistently used
Treatment facilities with the most capacity are the ones closest to the larger cities along the I-49 corridor - the most expensive places to currently build
Cheaper development costs are in our smaller communities, but that’s where the largest strain on capacity currently exists - new construction has been put on pause in Centerton for projects that would impact Decatur’s wastewater treatment plant until Decatur’s plant completes an ongoing expansion
In January, the Northwest Arkansas Council hired a consulting firm to draft a region-wide development plan which will focus on a range of issues including wastewater
In May, the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission authorized funding for a region-wide study in wastewater treatment needs
Act 314 Impacts
Thomas Saccente from NWA Dem Gazz, produced a thorough report on the upcoming impacts of Act 314 taking effect on Aug. 5th, “Northwest Arkansas cities, counties talk collaboration ahead of shift in zoning authority - Act 314 changes zoning, planning jurisdiction in unincorporated areas”. General recap below:
Act 314 repeals a municipality’s authority on applying zoning/city code standards for unincorporated property adjacent to the city - In Benton County the new law moves the authority of over 156 square survey miles to the county
New law is expected to more greatly impact growing counties like Benton and Washington
Benton County is considering developing an interlocal agreement between the county and cities to try to remain consistent with plans the cities have already adopted
Item of concern: development and/or roadways outside of municipalities could end up out of alignment with city standards for future annexation
Bentonville School Board Vacancies Filled
The two vacancies in the Bentonville School Board were filled during a special board meeting on June 26th. The board received 97 applications and chose to appoint Rachel Nutt to represent zone 1 and Bill Akins for the at-large position. Learn more about the appointment process from Sam Hoisington at The Bentonville Bulletin HERE.
Benton County Quorum Court
Update from latest Quorum Court meeting:
Will Steiger was appointed to position 7 on the Benton County Planning Board of Appeals
From Thomas Saccente in the NWA Dem Gazz, “Benton County Quorum Court OKs funding JP’s unbudgeted out-of-state conference trip - Four-day conference results in $3,702 bill, mostly for meals and lodging”; additional details:
Joseph Bollinger (JP of district 7 - north Bentonville and east Bella Vista) attended the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference in D.C. in early March
Bollinger returned and requested reimbursement for $3,702 ($590 for the conference registration, $606 for travel, and $2,506 for lodging/meals)
Since this trip was NOT BUDGETED FOR, the Quorum Court had to approve the reimbursement; they did 10 -3 at the June meeting
Upcoming County Government meetings at the Admin Building in downtown Bentonville:
Finance Committee Meeting - July 8 at 6 p.m.
Development Review Committee - July 9 at 10 a.m.
Committee of the Whole - July 15 at 6 p.m.
Planning Board Meeting - July 16 at 6 p.m.
Development Review Committee - July 9 at 10 a.m.
State Government Awareness
From Ainsley Platt at the Arkansas Advocate, “Thousands more Arkansas students participating in summer food assistance program - It’s the second year for Arkansas’ Summer EBT program” - The vast majority (97%+) of enrollees are automatically added to the program based on their participation in other programs like Medicaid, SNAP and free/reduced school lunch programs.
Doug Thompson interviewed Representatives Diana Gonzales Worthen (D - Springdale) and Kendon Underwood (R - Cave Springs) about their views on the federal immigration crackdown HERE. If you, or someone you know would be interested in unseating Rep. Underwood for District 16 in 2026, please reach out…
Federal Impacts on Arkansas
Latest news on federal action which will impact our state.
From Alex Golden at Axios NWA, “NWA nonprofits grapple with federal victim aid reductions” - this impacts organizations ability to provide services to domestic violence and child sex abuse victims
From Ainsley Platt at the Arkansas Advocate, “Arkansans paying millions more in tariff costs compared to 2024 - Sen. Blake Johnson warned that U.S. farmers could be hit hard if no relief comes by the end of the year”
Election Information
2026 Candidate Announcements:
Fred Love for Governor - details from Arkansas Advocate and interview with Talk Business & Politics
Political Training Opportunities
National Democratic Training Committee’s FREE upcoming live webinars anyone can participate in:
So You Want to Run for Office? - Tues., July 8 at noon
Field Tactics 101 - Wed., July 9 at noon
Running an Effective Canvass Operation - Mon., July 14 at noon
How to Use Peer-to-Peer Texting on Political Campaigns - Thurs., July 17 at noon
In the Ear
“Federal aid cuts in Trump budget worry Arkansas children’s advocacy group” - Ozarks at Large’s Matthew Moore spoke with Laura Kellams, Northwest Arkansas director for Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, about the vote and its potential impact on critical federal programs.
“NWA planners look to 'new urbanism' in effort to manage better growth” from Daniel Caruth with Ozarks at Large - In early June, a group of more than 80 northwest Arkansans took part in the Congress for the New Urbanism in Providence, Rhode Island. The cohort of urban planners, governmental officials, architects, engineers and other professionals gathered to learn more about managing growth and building more sustainable urban environments.
Odds & Ends
From Nadra Nittle and Mariel Padilla from The 19th, “How algorithms, alpha males and tradwives are winning the war for kids’ minds - Toxic masculinity and idealized motherhood content are flooding social media feeds — forcing educators, students and parents to navigate the manosphere.”
“The most unpopular budget law ever? - Weekly roundup for July 6 2025” from G. Elliott Morris the last week in political data: Work requirements don't work; The unpopularity of the GOP budget law; Angry discourse online; and Democrats winning back young voters
“I Question America” - good time to ponder Sherrilyn Ifill’s newsletter from the 4th.
And lastly, from Sonny Albarado in the Arkansas Advocate discussing the Declaration of Independence, “We may be divided politically and philosophically, but this document binds us”