Highfill Highlights
April 15, 2026
The City of Highfill invites all citizens to attend a Public Town Hall Meeting on April 27th at 6:00 PM in the Highfill City Council Chambers (2560 W Highway 12, Gentry, AR 72734).
This meeting will provide additional information regarding the proposed Highfill Northwest Arkansas Industrial Development Authority. City officials and representatives will be present to share details and answer questions from the public.
Residents may attend in person or via Zoom, making it easy for everyone to participate.
Submitting Questions:
Citizens may submit written questions before and during the meeting. Questions can be:
- Emailed in advance to admin@highfillarkansas.gov
- Dropped off at Highfill City Hall prior to the meeting
- Submitted during the meeting to a designated staff member who will ensure questions are provided to the speaker
Participating through Zoom:
If you join the meeting online, you will be able to submit questions using Zoom’s Q&A feature. This tool allows you to type your questions directly from your phone, tablet, or computer during the meeting. Submitted questions will be received in real time, and the speaker will address them during the meeting.
We appreciate the strong community interest in this important topic and thank you for staying engaged. We look forward to seeing you there and hearing your questions and feedback.
Join a Public Meeting
To attend a public meeting, click the link below:
Join City of Highfill Public Meetings using the Zoom link by browser or the Zoom app. The Zoom app provides full access to features, including Q&A. If you cannot access Q&A, you may submit questions through chat or by contacting the City in advance.
This same link works for all City of Highfill public meetings.
Meeting Conduct and Expectations
The City of Highfill works to maintain orderly, respectful, and productive public meetings so that all participants have an opportunity to be heard.
All participants are expected to remain respectful during meetings. The City does not allow disruptive behavior, including name-calling, repeated interruptions, or conduct that interferes with the orderly progress of the meeting.
If disruptive behavior continues, the presiding official may remove an individual from the meeting in order to maintain order and allow the meeting to proceed.
Frequently Asked Questions – Arkansas Public Meeting Laws
Q: What law governs public meetings in Arkansas?
A: Public meetings are governed by the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which ensures that government business is conducted openly and transparently.
Q: What is considered a “public meeting”?
A: A public meeting includes any gathering of a governing body where official business is discussed or decided. This applies whether the meeting is formal or informal.
Q: Are public meetings required to be open to the public?
A: Yes. Under Arkansas law, all meetings of governing bodies must be open to the public unless a specific legal exception applies (such as certain executive sessions).
Q: What is an executive session?
A: An executive session is a portion of a meeting that is closed to the public and is only allowed for specific purposes, such as discussing personnel matters. Any final decisions must be made in public.
Q: Who can attend an executive session?
A: Attendance is limited to specific individuals such as the top administrator, the employee involved, and their supervisor, if requested by the governing body.
Q: Can decisions be made in executive session?
A: No. Any decision made in executive session is not valid unless the governing body returns to open session and votes publicly.
Q: What notice is required for public meetings?
A:
- Regular Meetings: The time and place should be established and made known to the public.
- Special or Called Meetings: At least 2 hours’ notice must be provided to the media that have requested notice.
Q: Is the City required to post agendas publicly?
A: Agendas for regular meetings are posted at least three (3) days in advance, and agendas for special meetings are posted at least two (2) hours prior to the meeting. Agendas may be updated as needed to address City business.
Q: Is the City required to post meetings on social media or a website?
A: No. The law requires notice to the media, not posting on websites or social media. However, these tools are commonly used to improve public awareness and access.
Q: Are meeting recordings or minutes required?
A: Yes. Open public meetings must be recorded in a way that captures sound (audio or video), and those recordings must be kept for at least one year. Executive sessions are not required to be recorded.
Q: Can citizens participate or ask questions during meetings?
A: The law guarantees the right to attend and observe meetings, but it does not require a governing body to allow public comment. Many cities choose to allow public input as part of their meeting procedures.
Q: Can citizens attend meetings virtually?
A: Arkansas law does not require virtual access. However, if a city chooses to offer virtual attendance (such as through Zoom), it must still ensure the meeting remains open and accessible to the public.
Q: How is Highfill going beyond legal requirements?
A: The City of Highfill exceeds minimum requirements by:
- Posting agendas and meeting packets 7 days in advance
- Sharing notices via website, social media, and e-newsletter
- Providing live Zoom access to meetings
- Maintaining recordings for public review
These efforts are intended to maximize transparency and encourage community involvement.
It’s My Town!