Mayoral candidate: Butch Berry

Butch Berry

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Eureka Springs Times-Echo sent a series of questions to the three candidates running for mayor in the Nov. 3 election. The race is between Mayor Butch Berry, City Council member Steve Holifield and Susan Harman, a former council member who is currently a member of the city’s Planning Commission. Following are Berry's responses. Answers were edited only for clarity.

MAYOR BUTCH BERRY

• TIMES-ECHO: Was running for re-election a more difficult decision this time around? If so, what factors led to ultimately deciding to run again?

• BERRY: No, my decision to run again was not any more difficult than the first time. I’ve had numerous people ask me to “please run again.” With several large and important projects ongoing in our city, I want to see them through to the finish.

• TIMES-ECHO: How has Eureka changed over the years since you’ve been mayor?

• BERRY: Eureka is always changing. I think one of the most important changes is that we are seeing more visitors coming to town and the demographics of those people have changed. This younger segment helped create new business models that are not the same as they were 12 years ago.

• TIMES-ECHO: If re-elected, what would be your priorities during your next term?

• BERRY: Hopefully, with the bond issues passing, the water and sewer projects will become a focal point. Along with our quest for affordable housing, I’d like to see the city utilizing city-owned vacant residential lots to help qualified low-income citizens build a home. [In addition], finding the best way to pay for a parking deck, and annexation of adjacent land so we can have room for our city to grow.

• TIMES-ECHO: How would you describe Eureka Springs in just a few words?

• BERRY: The best place to live, work, and play in the USA.

• TIMES-ECHO: What are your thoughts on the importance of the proposed 1 percent sales tax on the ballot for water/wastewater improvements?

• BERRY: The upcoming ballot issue for the 1 percent sales tax is one of the most important decisions for our citizens. It will decide whether the city can supply water and sewer services to citizens without having to significantly raise the rates. All over Arkansas, cities are having to raise rates so their water and sewer departments can operate, by law, on a self-sustaining basis. We are able to have our visitors, who use the bulk of these services, also pay for water and sewer improvements by implementing this sales tax.

• TIMES-ECHO: What is the biggest challenge facing Eureka Springs headed into 2027 and why?

• BERRY: The economy, which affects everyone’s household with increased prices for gas, food and other day-to-day items. This in turn affects how we attract our visitors, since our main industry is tourism. I also feel that the growth of the Northwest Arkansas corridor will become more of a factor with additional people moving in and competing for affordable housing with our local citizens.

• TIMES-ECHO: When campaigning, what topics/ city issues do you hear from residents the most?

• BERRY: Homelessness, affordable housing, water and sewer issues.

• TIMES-ECHO: What is your personal opinion on a downtown permanent entertainment district?

• BERRY: I feel this should be decided by being placed on the ballot and our citizens making that decision.

• TIMES-ECHO: Why should residents vote for you over the other two candidates?

• BERRY: I have the experience and institutional knowledge of the city. Recently, I listened to the Planning Commission as they were discussing buses on Kingshighway. They had no idea why the city created an ordinance for the purpose of keeping motor coaches off of our narrow streets.

I have developed a good, working relationship with Congressman Womack and Senator Boozman, also with the state. I’m on the executive board of the Arkansas Municipal League. No other Eureka Springs mayor has ever served on that board. I have made useful contacts throughout our state, and even across the nation, over the last 40 years that can help Eureka Springs over the next four years.

• TIMES-ECHO: What else would you like to add to help voters be more informed about your candidacy for re-election?

• BERRY: As most everyone knows, I was born right here in our local hospital. My first job was at the Crescent Hotel working in the bowling alley, then as a bus boy in the dining room.

I grew up here and have been involved with municipal government since college. I have over 40 years of experience working with the state of Arkansas in various capacities and in local government, from being on the Planning Commission to serving as the mayor. I have managed multimillion-dollar projects and budgets. I have designed and built affordable housing. My last year in architectural school, I wrote a thesis on developing Main Street from the train station all the way to the top of Planer Hill. Finally, after decades of growth, I see it happening.

I know this town and know how to read the changes and adapt with action. We can’t afford any hesitation in progress or someone having a learning curve about the laws, municipal budgets, and how to implement multiple large projects.