Benton Courier - Benton mayor gives State of City address

Benton Mayor Rick Holland took a new approach to delivering his annual State of the City address this year.
Holland, serving his second term, read only the introduction and conclusion of the speech and distributed copies of the full text to the aldermen at Monday night’s City Council meeting. The complete address will be incorporated into the minutes of the meeting.
Holland noted that this year marks the 160th anniversary of the incorporation of the city. He pointed out that in his 2007 address, he predicted that it would be “a year of challenge and change.”
“I am proud to report that every department in the city met those challenges with a high degree of commitment to ensure that the citizens of Benton were provided with the very best of services,” he said.
“We are fortunate to have a workforce that consists of over 240 qualified, dedicated employees,” Holland said, adding that each department is supervised by “very qualified, experienced department heads who strive daily to ensure that every citizen receives the quality of service that they deserve.”
He said the community development department experienced a busy year. Despite a downturn in building nationally, the housing industry locally stayed strong. More than 700 subdivision lots were given preliminary or final plat approval; 374 residential building permits were issued; and 36 commercial building permits were issued.
“Preliminary work has already been done on new subdivision and street regulations, a sign ordinance and a manufactured housing ordinance,” Holland noted.
Economic development in the city was highlighted when Benton was recertified as an Arkansas Community of Excellence, Holland pointed out. In addition, the city has continued its partnership with the Saline County Economic Development Commission, which is marketing the old airport (Watts Field) and other area sites for economic development purposes.
Another plus for Benton on the economic development front are agreements reached with developers of property around exit 114 of Interstate 30, the mayor noted.
“This undeveloped property, which can be built to avoid the problems associated with one-way service roads, is the key to the future of Benton, particularly when it comes to interstate corridor retail prospects,” he said.
Benton Utilities assisted local businesses by reducing the rates for small general service business customers, Holland noted.
He pointed out that the city has taken “an aggressive stance on improving property values,” with code enforcement officers issuing 932 violations notices and 86 citations. Additionally, 43 structures were razed, the majority by the owners after being notified that their properties were in violation of city codes.
Reports from the FBI noted that Benton fell 26 percent in violent crime while other cities increased, making Benton’s crime rate one of the lowest in Arkansas. He commended Police Chief Gary Sipes and his department for “continuing to provide safe and superb law enforcement protection for our citizens.”
He said the Benton Fire Department “continues to provide excellent services and is considered to be one of the most competent in the region.”
Under the leadership of Chief Ben Blankenship, fire department personnel “completed 14,010 hours of training in 2007 and responded to 2,524 requests by our citizens for assistance.”
He also commended numerous improvements made for the communications department under Tim Blocksom, who oversaw the installations of new traffic lights at some intersections; and he noted that numerous street improvement projects occurred.
He further commended the work of the Animal Control Department, the Parks Department, Benton Parks Commission and the Benton Advertising and Promotion Commission.
The full text of Holland’s address begins on page 7.

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