A Drive for Savings in Bella Vista

(Editor’s Note: Each year, Arkansas Business partners with the Arkansas Municipal League to present the Trendsetter City awards, which recognize exceptional initiatives underway in municipalities across the state. Large, medium and small-sized cities were honored in six categories: Diversity and Inclusion; Education/Workforce Development; Infrastructure and Water; Public Works/Environmental and Green Management; Technology and Security; and Tourism Development/Creative Culture. Below is one winner’s story. For more, click here.) 

Infrastructure and Water
Winner • Over 20,000

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BELLA  VISTA
Population: 32,368 | Mayor: John D. Flynn | County: Benton | Region: Northwest

The Challenge

With more than 550 miles of roads to maintain, Bella Vista faced increasing infrastructure demands, especially in light of northwest Arkansas’ continued rapid growth. The city’s fixed budget, largely due to its small commercial tax base, made road maintenance slow, since only a limited number of roads could be repaired annually. Traditional methods of tearing up and replacing asphalt were time-consuming and costly, particularly for base materials and disposal fees.

The Solution

In 2021, Bella Vista invested in an Asphalt Zipper, a machine that grinds old asphalt into reusable gravel for road subgrade. In 2024 alone, this innovation saved the city $40,000 in material and labor costs. The machine speeds up street prep work, with additional savings reinvested into the resurfacing budget. Bella Vista now repairs more roads annually while providing residents with improved services​.

Big Savings

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Bella Vista’s Asphalt Zipper has paid for itself through labor and material savings.

DID YOU KNOW?
The Bella Vista Street Department is responsible for maintaining more than 2,700 streets within the city.

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