Mayor: Batesville’s best asset is its people

By Andrea Bruner, White River Now

New businesses, new infrastructure, new entertainment and economic opportunities – the city of Batesville has a lot to offer, but nothing compares to its people.

That was the message from Mayor Rick Elumbaugh as he presented the annual State of the City address to a crowd of current and former city employees, officials, friends and supporters on Thursday at the Batesville Community Center, including Cameron Bandy from Sen. Tom Cotton’s office as well as Elijah Snow from Congressman Rick Crawford’s office.

First Community Bank provided lunch, as Elumbaugh took the stage to give the address. With 19 years and 3 months of service, Elumbaugh said he never takes the responsibility lightly, while reiterating that Batesville is filled with community-minded citizens and strong leadership who make this town what it is.

Other mayors ask why Batesville is moving forward with so many projects, and Elumbaugh said he’s quick to point out the hard work and dedication of the many city employees as well as the partnerships with the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Batesville and many others.

He acknowledged Crystal Johnson and her team at the chamber for their continued work promoting economic development in recruiting new industry and retail to Batesville and Independence County. “In 2025 alone, the chamber welcomed 27 new businesses and celebrated 36 ribbon cuttings, including nine expansions and relocations, for major economic development projects,” Elumbaugh said.

Business recruitment would not be possible without a city prioritizing infrastructure improvements, and Batesville has made “strategic investments in wastewater infrastructure and is currently constructing a new water treatment plant and intake system that’ll ensure a reliable water supply for generations to come,” he said, adding a special thanks the citizens for supporting the refinance of bonds that have made such improvements possible.

He recalled in the early years of his administration, the city was under a Consent Administrative Order from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, which Elumbaugh said “is not a greeting card from Hallmark, believe me,” he said.

Instead, the city was notified in 2008 of violations due to sewer overflows and infrastructure issues and was then forced to act, spending millions to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant and system.

The work paid off, and a few weeks ago, after 18 years of being under the order, the city was notified the CAO had been lifted. Elumbaugh said that would not have been possible without the citizens approving a sales tax increase and the work put in by the employees.

The expansion continues at Riverside Park, with new features such as a skate pad (which is completed but still closed due to construction at the park), an events center (work continues on this), pickleball courts, tennis courts, restrooms, pavilion, and a splash pad and inclusive playground (both of which will break ground in the coming months).

Economic development remains strong, he said. “Over the past year, the city issued more than $70 million in building permits,” Elumbaugh said, with projects such as new apartment developments, restaurants, and retail projects. In June, LaCroix Precision Optics broke ground on a new manufacturing facility that will bring 107 new jobs, while White River Health is constructing a new oncology wing and Life Plus opened its corporate headquarters in the former Citizens Bank main branch.

Elumbaugh also touted the restaurants that have opened on Main Street, which will also welcome back the popular Levitt Amp music series. “Come out, guys, and enjoy that. There’s unbelievable talent that comes through that, and it is all free. Also, you have to remember, we are an entertainment district – I’m going to leave it at that,” he joked.

Moving on, he noted other projects that marked 2025, including the opening of the new Batesville School District performing arts center, the Greenway Trail Expansion on Main Street, the Bad Boy Mowers Stadium at Lyon College, and the roundabout on 20^th Street.

Last April, Elumbaugh went on to say, the city experienced a major flooding event that required employees to closely monitor river levels and install floodgates along the levee system. He said the city employees worked to make sure the community was protected as much as possible.

“For those who remember, our floodwalls were constructed in the mid-1980s,” he said, recalling how in the flood of 1982, water was over the White River Bridge, and at ConAgra (now Ozark Mountain Poultry) bore the brunt of the damage. “It came up so fast that water was in the cabs of pickup trucks; we probably lost 50 to 75 vehicles in that flood. … FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) came in and we ended up with the levee system we have today. We appreciate that levee but you may not realize how fortunate we are to have that levee in place.”

There are still more good things to come, such as the Veterans Memorial Park to be located in Riverside Park in the next few years. Fundraising efforts are currently underway to make the proposal a reality, Elumbaugh said.

There is also a new development with residential and commercial opportunities at the former Batesville Country Club.

Elumbaugh also recognized employees who had retired and those who had passed away in 2025, including Tim Collins from the landscaping department and Marcus Jackson, Randy Palmer and Jeff Owens, who all worked in the parks department. Palmer served the city for 40 years and Owens was the director of the parks department and the city dedicated the community center court in Owens’ name before he died last June.

“Their legacy will continue to benefit our citizens for generations to come,” Elumbaugh said.

Looking ahead, Elumbaugh said Batesville recognizes the challenges that cities across the country are facing. “Inflation continues to impact local governments, just as it affects families and businesses. Costs for insurance, healthcare, equipment, and public safety vehicles have risen dramatically.”

For instance, the city could buy a fully equipped police vehicle for about $30,000 just a few years ago but now that same vehicle is $50,000. Likewise, when the city purchased a tower truck for the fire department in 2007, the price tag was $750,000 but today it’s closer to $2 million.

“Despite these challenges, our sales tax revenue remains solid, and this administration and the city council will continue to carefully manage your resources and make responsible decisions to protect the long-term stability of our city,” Elumbaugh said. “Batesville continues to grow, invest in its future and build a community where people want to live, work and raise their families. None of this progress happens by accident. It happens because of dedicated employees. … It happens because of engaged citizens, strong partnerships and a shared belief in what this community can accomplish together.

“As we look to the future, I remain confident that the best days for Batesville are still ahead. By continuing to invest in our infrastructure, support economic development, and protect the quality of life that makes our community special, we will make sure that Batesville remains a vibrant and thriving city for generations to come.

“And while we celebrate the progress, we must also remember what truly makes Batesville feel special. It’s not just the buildings, our businesses, our parks. It’s our people; it’s the pride we take in our community, the willingness to help our neighbors, and belief that when we work together, there’s nothing our city cannot accomplish. Batesville has always been a city of strong values, hard work, and determination. And as long as we continue to move forward together with that spirit, there is no limit to what the future holds for our community.”

Click here to read Batesville Mayor Rick Elumbaugh’s State of the City address.