State of the City 2024
Mayor Rick Elumbaugh
It is with great pride and optimism that I stand before you today to deliver the State of the City address. As your mayor, of 18 years, I am honored to represent a community that embodies resilience, unity, and progress. Batesville has always been more than just a place on the map; it is a home where generations thrive, and I have called it home my entire life. As I have stated so many times, “It’s always a great day to be in Batesville, Arkansas.”
In the realm of economic development, Batesville continues to shine as a beacon of opportunity. Our local businesses have persevered, are adapting to ever-changing circumstances, and are demonstrating unwavering commitment to our community. From Main Street Batesville to our industrial parks, we celebrate the dedication of our new businesses and pledge our support to ensure their continued success. Our city remains a hub of opportunity, and I am confident that we will continue to progress in the years to come.
Our local economy continues to prosper. The City of Batesville sales tax collection has remained strong. In 2023, our sales tax increased from 2022 by approximately 5.81%. Currently, the city is up 6.68% over last year.
In August, our citizens voted to refinance bonds and extend the sunsetting wastewater tax to allow for major upgrades to the current water intake and construction of a new state-of-the-art water treatment plant. This would not have been possible without you, our citizens, to recognize the importance and necessity of infrastructure. I am thankful and optimistic that the passing of this project will not only maintain our current water supply, but also provide quality water for our current and future industries.
Infrastructure is the backbone of any successful community, and Batesville is committed to maintaining and improving our roads, utilities, and public spaces.
Our citizens also voted to refinance the current Parks and Recreation tax, allowing for a $25 million quality-of-life upgrade to Riverside Park. This project will include enhancements such as a new events center, an inclusive playground, splash pads, pickle ball and tennis courts, and a skate and cycling park. In May, the city was presented with a check for $21,149.06 from Ms. Haley Stephens, who represents All Hands On Deck, a local organization. This group worked hard raising funds which will greatly complement our funding for the Skate Park. As our parks are being revitalized, our commitment to sustainability is stronger than ever. These investments will ensure that Batesville remains a vibrant and livable city for generations to come.
A quick look at our Parks and Recreation numbers for 2023 shows that our facilities are being used more than ever.
Through strategic investments and collaboration with the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, we continue to enhance the quality of life for all residents, ensuring that Batesville remains a safe, accessible, and attractive place to live, work, and play. Many thanks to Crystal Johnson and her team at the Chamber, for their insight, focus group collaboration, and hard work on this election.
Public safety is a priority in Batesville. Our city police department has relocated to a new location on St. Louis Street. The new office will allow us to stay focused on community policing and allow for a more central location. Our officers will resume back to bike patrol and be more visual and accessible to the public.
Our fire department continues to complete many hours of training each year. The firemen also run a rescue truck when called to service both our city and county. In January of 2023, Fire Captain Mark McCollum was promoted to Fire Chief after the retirement of Chief Ronnie Painter. We greatly appreciate Ronnie’s many years of dedicated service.
Education remains a cornerstone of our city’s foundation. As we invest in education, we invest in the future of Batesville, empowering our youth to reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society. It’s my honor to acknowledge the continued successes of the Batesville school groups throughout the year in our council meetings. The students excel academically and in all areas of sports and the arts.
UACCB and Lyon College also continue to stay involved with community programs and events. Both are always striving to improve and complement our local and future workforce.
Our White River Wonderland Christmas display is a magical spectacle that captures the spirit of the holiday season and brings joy to residents and visitors alike. This has become our largest tourism draw for people of all ages. Over 150,000 visitors experienced the “Christmas Capital of Arkansas.” Many thanks to Johnathan Abbott and his work crew. They spend numerous hours starting in September and continue until well after the new year. This display could not continue without the overwhelming support of our sponsors, businesses and citizens.
The Batesville Regional Airport continues to grow. In 2023, six additional T-hangers were constructed to rent out to the public. The project total was $592,000, with $489,000 of that coming from grants received by the Arkansas Division of Aeronautics. This brings the total number of hangars at the airport to 62; 40 of these are owned and rented out by the airport. There were 16,111 take-offs or landings for 2023, which averages 1,343 per month. Of this yearly total, 11,379 of those were visiting aircraft, and 4,732 were from locally based aircraft, of which there are currently 68 based at the airport.
Even as we celebrate our successes, we acknowledge the challenges that lie ahead. We remain steadfast in our commitment to addressing issues such as affordable housing, healthcare accessibility, and community well-being. White River Health continues to build for the future. A new state-of-the-art, orthopedic clinic was opened and celebrated by all. The addition of this clinic is a tremendous blessing for our community. It not only enhances access to specialized healthcare services but also signifies a substantial investment in the well-being of our residents.
I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the dedicated employees and supervisors of our city. Your unwavering commitment, hard work, and tireless dedication are the driving forces behind our community’s success and prosperity. Each and every one of you plays a vital role in making our city great!
I want to also acknowledge the invaluable contributions of our City Council members. Their steadfast leadership has been instrumental in guiding our city through both triumphs and challenges. With a shared vision for progress, our city council members work to enact policies, allocate resources, and advocate for the needs of our residents. Their collaborative work and passion for public service do not go without notice. 2023 welcomed Councilmember Landon Reeves who was appointed to fill the vacancy of Mr. Tommy Bryant. Mr. Bryant retired from the position after 14 years of dedicated service to the City of Batesville and our citizens.
As we look to the future, let us draw inspiration from our past accomplishments and embrace the possibilities that lie ahead. This year, we will be moving into our new Public Works Facility located at 60 General Street. This new structure will house the Water Utility Construction, Purchasing, Sanitation, Street, Landscape, and IT Departments.
Also, new bike and pedestrian paths will be implemented on Main Street, as well as from the boardwalk on Aberdeen Drive to Harrison Street. This will provide a much safer alternative for our increasing numbers of walkers and bikers. The Riverfront Trail, located on Stadium Drive, will be completed in the near future. As funding is available, the plan is to connect the trail to the downtown area.
Approximately $650,000 in overlay projects to city streets will be implemented this coming year, with $300,000 of this amount will be provided by state aid funds.
Together, we will continue to build a Batesville that is inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable — a city where every resident can thrive and fulfill their aspirations. With unity, determination, and a shared vision for a brighter tomorrow, there is no limit to what we can achieve. Thank you, Batesville, for your unwavering support and commitment to our shared journey. God bless you all, and God bless Batesville, Arkansas.
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