Ep. 7 - What Makes a City Work: A Mayor’s POV

Описание: What if the most important part of your city is the part you never see? We sit down with Mayor Molly Rawn for a candid tour of how Fayetteville actually works, from a “strong mayor” structure that ties policy to execution, to the hidden systems that keep taps running, toilets flushing, and streets moving safely. It’s an inside look at governing without the gloss: 900 positions to coordinate, daily trade-offs to weigh, and residents to serve with clarity and humility.

We dig into the 2026 sales tax bond and why timing is everything. Arkansas law now limits bond elections to primaries or general, which means Fayetteville has a narrow window to renew a continuation, without raising the tax rate, and fund projects that can’t wait. At the top of the list is the Nolan (Eastside) sewer plant, where aging components and capacity constraints make upgrades essential. Skip the bond, and the cost shifts to ratepayers through higher water and sewer bills. Approve it, and the city can invest in core infrastructure by leveraging sales tax, including contributions from visitors.

Beyond pipes and pumps, we talk streets and mobility, especially long-standing east–west bottlenecks, plus park improvements and a proposed aquatic center. That pool isn’t just a splash; it’s a partnership with the school district and a strategy to keep family spending in Fayetteville rather than neighboring cities. Trails, tourism, and outdoor access remain pillars of the city’s appeal, but sustainable growth requires the less visible investments that make daily life work.

If you care about local government, infrastructure funding, city planning, and practical leadership, this conversation lays out the stakes with zero jargon and plenty of candor. Subscribe, share with a Fayetteville friend, and tell us: where do you land on the bond, and what would earn your vote?