Bella Vista – will it remain a village or incorporate as a city?

Bella Vista is another area of booming NW Arkansas that has seen its own share of incredible growth. The village, as it is still known, was started some 40 years ago as a place for retirees to enjoy living among lakes, trees and golf courses. It is located north of Bentonville, just south of the Missouri border.

Since inception the quiet village has grown tremendously. It is estimated there are some 24,000 residents now – up from 16,500 in 2000. No one sees growth slowing anytime soon.

Roads have improved and Bella Vista is increasingly becoming home to families with children. Rush hour traffic clogs the streets as residents commute to jobs in surrounding cities.

The question now on everyone’s mind is whether to incorporate. The issue will be on the November 2006 ballot. As an individual, I can't influence the issue one way or another, but it occurs to me that a community the size of Bella Vista should be a municipal entity, not a private one. The people currently support their entire infrastructure by paying monthly assessments - police, fire department, roads, library, recreational facilities, and much more. The majority of the taxes they pay are not returned to the village because it is not incorporated. The incorporation issue is of paramount importance and I urge all current and potential residents to learn all they can before the election.

For more information go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bella_Vista%2C_Arkansas or http://www.incorporatebellavista.com