Barling is a city of nearly 5,000 people located East of Fort Smith. Barling has been landlocked by Fort Smith, Fort Chaffee, and the Arkansas River since its incorporation in the mid 1950's. This is a crucial point. While other small cities near Fort Smith, such as Greenwood and Van Buren have grown dramatically, Barling has been prevented from normal growth patterns because of physical constraints. Thus, Barling has evolved into a typical "bedroom" community. Recognizing the limitations such growth patterns present to any city, Barling leaders in 1981, began a deliberate series of annexations of the only land that could conceivably be available for incorporation.... Fort Chaffee. In 1981, 1982, and 1991 Barling annexed a total of 26,000 acres of Fort Chaffee.

In 1995 we continued replacement of equipment and undertook the most ambitious street program in the City's history. We also began other important changes including completion of the overhaul of the City's personnel and pay plans and a serious study of the City's current ordinances including land use and development ordinances. A plan was developed to address these needs in the future. One critical issue that faces all communities coincident with annexation is the provision of essential city services. In 1995 we developed a plan to complete the improvement of Fire protection services. With the purchase of new equipment and other efforts undertaken by the Fire Chief and his department, the City requested an ISO inspection. ISO is the rating service used by insurance companies to help rate the fire insurance sold within the community.

In 1996 Barling was inspected by ISO and received an ISO rating of Class 3, effective 1/97. To put this in perspective, only seven other Fire Departments have a Class 3 or Class 2 rating in the State of Arkansas. Barling is the only community West of Maumelle with such a rating. This means Fire Insurance rates in Barling are the lowest in Western Arkansas. We had completed our capital equipment overhaul and continued efforts to rehabilitate the sewer system and upgraded Police services with the addition of new officers. With the announcement of the closure of Fort Chaffee, its subsequent transfer to the Arkansas National Guard, and the release of over 7,000 acres for private development in 1996, we began intensive work with the U.S. Army, Arkansas National Guard, Army Corps of Engineers, and other entities to ensure Barling's interest and ability to serve the needs of all interested parties. Army officials indicated a desire to privatize the utility services at the Fort and Barling stated its interest in the wastewater lagoons and collection interest while Fort Smith indicated interest in the water system. With this focus, negotiations began and continued into 1997.

1997 proved to be the most dramatic year in Barling's history. It began with another phase of street renovations, continued sewer improvements improving sewer capacity by up to 40%, financial progress that had gained the city nearly 20% additional cash reserves over 1994. By Summer, the City had completed two citywide citizen surveys. One survey was used to determine the types and scope of development desired by the community. The second survey dealt with financing alternatives to underwrite some of the expenses that would be associated with development at Fort Chaffee. Both surveys have proved invaluable to City administration and policymakers. By July, it had become apparent that Fort Smith was not interested in the water system, so Barling submitted applications in mid August to the Department of Health and Human Services for transfer to the entire water and wastewater systems to Barling. HHS reviewed the application and approved the applications by October 30, 1997. Barling further negotiated service agreements with the Army to provide revenue to service these systems in the interim, until the plan for reuse of Fort Chaffee is finally approved by Department of Defense. Thus, Barling was now positioned to provide critical water and sewer services to it annexed territory. Barling also began intensive negotiations for the provision of Police and Fire Protection services. We were able to sign a contract for fire protection on October 1, 1997. With the expansion of Barling's' volunteer force, the addition of part time and full time firefighters, and additional equipment, Barling is now able to provide critical firefighting services to the annexed territory. With passage of concurrent jurisdictional legislation by the U. S. Congress and the Arkansas Legislature, Barling was also able to provide critical Police Services immediately to the annexed areas. Thus, by the end of 1997 Barling was not only positioned to provide municipal services to its annexed territory, but was providing these services as of October 1. I think it is important to note that the Army and Arkansas National Guard felt that Barling was not only capable of providing these services but signed contracts to allow Barling to do so within the Fort Chaffee compound.

In 1998 we have already expanded the Police Department with the addition of two more patrol positions. In 1998 and 1999 the City will complete efforts on its new land use plan, master street plan, development ordinances, implementation of ordinances already adopted setting up building codes, and other critical legislative acts to set the stage for development of Fort Chaffee. We have already had joint meetings with Fort Smith officials to try to ensure minimal differences in the thrust of our ordinances to simplify the overall redevelopment plan for Fort Chaffee for all interested parties. Barling has had numerous meeting with other communities regarding Fort Chaffee redevelopment and has taken the lead in trying to be a good partner in this process.

Barling is now positioned for development at Fort Chaffee. There is no portion of property within the developable surplus acreage that is not less than 2 miles from a viable water and sewer source. Public works and public safety services are now available for the lands to be vacated by the Federal Government. The true beauty of the Fort Chaffee lands is that much of it is essentially raw land to develop, from scratch, a new community, designed with contemporary ideas and planning methods, such as wider boulevards, greenways and open space integrated into an total urban planning effort. All that is needed now is for developers and businesses to begin the development and building process for Barling to grow.