ROGERS -- Years of hard work have culminated in low unemployment rates, improved roads and an uptick in business openings and job creation, according to Mayor Greg Hines in his annual state of the city address.
"It has never been better or safer to do business in Rogers," Hines said.
Council action
Rogers’ City Council met Tuesday and approved:
• Kendrick Fincher Hydration for Life’s request to close streets at the Pinnacle Hills Promenade for the Kendrick Fincher 5k from 7:30-9 a.m. on May 13.
• Arkansas Arts Academy’s request to close a series of streets downtown for a 5k run fundraiser from 6:30-9 a.m. May 20. The route encompasses Heritage High School and includes portions of First, Walnut, Cherry, Poplar, Fifth and Sixth streets.
• A reimbursable agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation for flight inspection services related to the runway pavement and lighting project at the Rogers Executive Airport.
• An amendment to a $70,000 contract with Garver LLC for design phase services of improvements at the intersection of Eighth and Easy streets.
• Rezoning 1503 W. Persimmon from residential duplex to residential multifamily.
Source: Staff report
Web watch
A video of Mayor Greg Hines’ State of the City address can be viewed at www.facebook.com/Th….
"Each of you has a positive impact," said David Faulkner of the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce in an opening statement. "We have much to be proud of ... with downtown development efforts and several announcements in the past year, including Daisy Outdoor Products [expansion]."
More than 1,250 jobs were created and 31 businesses opened in 2016, which decreased the Rogers' unemployment rate from 3.2 to 2.6 percent. A total of 20 businesses are scheduled to open in the first few months of 2017 and are predicted to bring about 200 jobs to the downtown area.
Hines reported a 7 percent increase in sales tax revenue in 2016. Sales tax from 2015 represented an 8 percent increase from the previous year.
"Rogers continues to see growth in sales tax revenue...and while it's up, citizens will also get a break in property taxes in 2017 with a 1 mill reduction," Hines said.
Residents' safety was a top priority, as evidenced by the past year's accomplishments.
Road construction on Pleasant Grove Road, Bellview Road North, Monte Ne Road South, Price Lane, First Street and Walnut Street at Lake Atalanta were completed in the past year. The projects were a part of the 2011 bond issue.
Rogers Police Department earned its third overall accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, and the Rogers Fire Department was reaccredited by the Commission on Public Safety Excellence, which allows the department to maintain dual-accredited status.
"This improvement process ensures our firefighters are performing according to industry best practices and our citizens are well protected," Hines said. "This compliments our city's elite class one insurance rating."
A new position of master paramedic/firefighter was created to address the fact 75 percent of the Fire Department's calls are for emergency medical incidents. In 2017, an additional ambulance will be assigned to Fire Station No. 2 to be used at peak volume times. Hines said the ambulance is the first of its kind in the region.
The Police Department used outreach programs to encourage positive interaction with the community through open forums, group discussions, the annual Police Night Out and a pilot partnership with the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank.
"The city accomplishments are amazing," said Alderman Marge Wolf. "When you're around it every day, then hear it all stacked up, you realize how much has happened and how much was done."
A few city departments were combined with other divisions and some received new directors in an effort for improvement and efficiency.
City engineering and planning departments were combined under the newly established community development department and headed by John McCurdy, who was hired last month. McCurdy created three planning districts within the city, including Pinnacle, downtown, and the industrial district. The change was in response to a decade of the city's continued growth, Hines said.
The Parks department and Recreation departments were also combined and put under the direction of Jim White, who worked for the Rogers School District. Since resuming his post, White oversaw opening of the 236-acre Lake Atalanta Park, the opening of 6.8 miles of trails and the arrival of the International Mountain Biking Association World Summit to the Railyard Bike Park.
What was once known as Code Enforcement is now called the Neighborhood Services Unit and became a division of the Rogers Police Department, Hines said, for "a more streamlined, concentrated approach to keeping our city clean."
The building inspection department and the fire prevention division were consolidated in 2015, but the results of the new organization showed in 2016 by "making development and construction more accessible and streamlined."
Ben Cline, public relations specialist, was hired within the past year to improve communication efforts through social media, newsletters and videos. Cline plans to provide more live broadcasts and redesign the city website in the coming year.
The legal department also saw new staff with the hiring of Jennifer Waymack, Rogers senior staff attorney, who helped overhaul of city code's Chapter 14 to set criteria for new development.
NW News on 03/01/2017