King announces resignation from Bella Vista city council

Alderman Allen King announced he is resigning from the city council, effective July 31.

An alderman for Ward 3, King delivered his resignation letter to the council at Monday's work session.

"It has been a pleasure serving with each of you for the benefit of our citizens," King said in the letter. "I wish all of you the best in your future."

King said he and his wife have sold their home and plan on moving back to Bloomington, Ill., to be closer to family.

"It's been a really nice five-and-a-half-year vacation down here," King said. "I'm gonna miss this country."

Because King has less than one year left in his term, holding a special election isn't an option, according Arkansas Code 14-43-411.

Instead, the council will vote on a replacement, said Jason Kelley, staff attorney.

Interested candidates should contact Mayor Peter Christie at City Hall. The office is at 101 Town Center, and the mayor can be reached by phone at 479-876-1255.

Candidates must live in Ward 3, which includes the Highlands and most of western Bella Vista. To see a map of the city's wards, visit http://www.bellavistaar.gov/bella-vista-ward-map/. Each ward has two aldermen.

Before adjourning, alderman John Flynn thanked King for his service to the city.

"If we don't have people serve, democracy doesn't work very well," Flynn said.

Special request

Alderman Larry Wilson wants to reduce his salary and transfer the leftovers to the police department.

"I feel that it is better to allocate this money to the police department for protective gear," Wilson said, "especially in light of the recent attacks on police nationwide and the bomb threat last week."

The council will vote Monday on a resolution to reduce Wilson's salary to $0 and transfer his remaining compensation, beginning August 1 through the end of the year.

State law allows aldermen to reduce their salary at their request, Kelley said.

Each alderman is paid $5,640. A $691 raise approved earlier this year by the council won't go into effect until Jan. 1, 2017.

Working together

A partnership between the city and Property Owners Association could help the POA procure a grant for studying the benefits of revamping its RV park.

The Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism is accepting applications for the Arkansas Tourism Attraction Feasibility Study Matching Grant Program, according to council documents.

The POA is considering a feasibility study of its RV park at Blowing Springs to determine the impact of making it more attractive to non-POA members, said Travis Stephens, economic development manager for Bella Vista. The grant is worth up to $20,000, Stephens said.

Grant applications must come from cities or counties, meaning the POA can't apply. But the city could serve as a intermediary for the funds, Stephens said.

While Kelley is still reviewing the legalities of the request, Stephens said the council will have to act soon because the deadline to apply is July 29.

Applying for the grant doesn't obligate the city to the study or any expenditure of funds, according to council documents.