Mayor Robert “Butch” Berry
ESI: Why are you running for mayor?
Berry: We have initiated many significant projects under my administration, and I want to see them through. It’s important to keep the continuity, knowledge and history in place to keep moving forward. For example, water and sewer; roundabout; annexation; more parking and Black Bass dam. I’m excited about initiating a housing authority which can utilize vacant city-owned land to help low-income citizens build their own home. I hear folks say “It’s time for a change” – that’s a nice slogan but it’s not a plan. My plan is to get things done and we can’t afford to see any hesitation in the progress of the critical projects we have in motion.
ESI: What are your qualifications?
Berry: I’ve been involved in municipal government for over 40 years. Established my architectural firm in 1996. My last year of architecture school at the U of A, then-Mayor Fred Naff asked me to be on the Planning Commission. I was on the Planning Commission, and was chairman, off and on for 12 years. I was Director of the Capitol Zoning District Commission in Little Rock for eight years and served on Eureka Springs City Council for eight years before becoming mayor. I have a proven track record of three terms, pulling the city out of near bankruptcy in my first term; working on the second non-discrimination ordinance passed in the state of Arkansas; serving as executive officer on the Arkansas Municipal League board and numerous other state, county and local boards. I have diligently been working on solutions to address our infrastructure issues and affordable housing, while managing a dedicated and skilled administrative staff and municipal departments.
ESI: What can be done to enhance tourism in Eureka Springs?
Berry: We need to constantly create new experiences to keep Eureka Springs fresh and true to our authentic reputation. What we’re doing at Harmony Park is a good example – re-creating a space that is about nature, art, music and fun. Expanding the season with events like the New Year’s Eve Bash With a Splash is great. One area I’d like to see more mention of would be additional outdoor activities, not just mountain biking but more inclusive activities like fishing, hunting, canoeing, hiking, to tie into the state’s tourism priority.
ESI: How could the city’s economy be more diversified?
Berry: One way is to recruit tourism-support businesses. Once we get high-speed internet through the state funding, something we have been working on, we can go after new service businesses. Agri-tourism, such as the new lavender farm, is another area we should explore. I’m happy that the Chamber has put a focus on economic development, putting forth the resources necessary to aggressively recruit new businesses.
ESI: How can the city address its aging infrastructure?
Berry: If the one percent sales tax and water and sewer bond issues are approved by voters on November 3, and if this initiative is to pass, all three issues must be approved. Then, and only then, we can finally begin addressing the infrastructure with the funding to get these projects done.
ESI: How can progress be made on affordable housing?
Berry: I have been active in designing affordable housing. I helped design ECHO Village, an affordable housing project in Eureka Springs. Some affordable housing has been opened up with several motels converting to long-term apartments. However, that only addresses part of the problem. We need more low-to-middle income family homes. By creating a housing authority we can use city-owned vacant lots where we have existing utilities to assist low-income citizens to become homeowners.
ESI: What is your philosophy about management of city employees?
Berry: Our department heads are doing a good job. I am always encouraging our city employees to take advantage of the additional educational opportunities that are available. By being actively involved with the Arkansas Municipal League, and serving on the executive board, I am always discovering new management techniques and learning opportunities that I pass along to our department heads.
Planning Commissioner Susan Harman
ESI: Why are you running for mayor?
Harman: I believe the city is at a turning point, and I hope to improve the path it is currently on by running for mayor of Eureka Springs. We have had years of failing water and sewer lines, numerous lawsuits and ever-increasing financial burdens placed on our citizens.
Eureka Springs is the Gem of the Ozarks. The Eureka Springs mayor should be someone who treats this city as such, and creates an environment where everyone is welcome, its economy provides for our citizens, tax revenue is handled with diligence and a plan is created that takes us into the future with responsible planning, integrity and economic prosperity.
ESI: What are your qualifications for being mayor?
Harman: As a local business owner, I have served on several commissions, chaired the City Advertising and Promotion Commission, and have served on city council and various committees which has allowed me to see Eureka Springs as a business that needs constant attention. Running a business has taught me sound planning, accountability, financial discipline and the ability to make difficult decisions.
Before moving to Eureka Springs, I built a successful and diverse private-sector career developing extensive experience in leadership, operations, financial analysis, project and budget management, marketing, and human resources. I served as vice president of Digital Alchemy, a digital marketing company specializing in four- and five-star independent and boutique hotels. I also served as Operations Manager for a Memphis-based money management firm and as assistant vice president at National Bank of Commerce’s money management division, Commerce Capital Management. Earlier I worked as a Human Resources assistant at the Memphis branch of the Federal Reserve Bank.
Those experiences shaped my practical, business-minded approach to leadership—one focused on accountability, sound financial management, strategic planning, and building organizations that are prepared for the future. I bring a practical, business-minded approach to leadership, which as your new mayor will help establish clear priorities, allow informed decisions, help manage our resources responsibly and bring people together by listening to get things done.
Eureka Springs deserves leadership with a plan. I believe my experience has prepared me to provide that leadership.
ESI: What can be done to enhance tourism in Eureka Springs?
Harman: Aesthetically, our town needs work. I am committed to creating a sidewalk fund and improving our local aesthetic, downtown and on the historic loop, so that the Gem of the Ozarks shines again. We also need to remind ourselves daily that “Eureka Springs is for everyone” and every negative social media post toward any contributor chases dollars away.
ESI: How could the city’s economy be more diversified?
Harman: I believe we need to create a marketing budget line in the city’s budget to actively market to potential small and medium-sized businesses, investors and entrepreneurs. We must find them, not hope that they find us.
ESI: How can the city address its aging infrastructure?
Harman: If the proposed one percent sales tax and both bonds pass on November 3, those will bring much needed cash to our infrastructure woes. Aside from that, we need a robust economy to provide additional cash reserves for further improvements.
ESI: What is your philosophy about how to manage city employees?
Harman: All my career I’ve had wonderful examples of strong work ethics in my co-workers, managers, and staff. The most important part of managing a successful group is providing a strong example of how you expect the office to operate. It’s vital to remember that as city employees, they serve the public and are paid for by the public’s work efforts. In turn, it is vital that an open dialogue is always open between the two.
City Alderman Steve Holifield
ESI: Why are you running for mayor?
Holifield: I believe in stepping up and taking my turn in my community to help my neighbors. Since I arrived in Eureka fifteen years ago, I have been an active volunteer. I was recently retired from the Austin Police Department as a Crisis Counselor Supervisor and was ready to return home to the Ozarks to be close to family and back to four seasons. I volunteered and was also on the board of Purple Flower. I was on the Historic District Commission for eight years and was chair a couple times.
Then I successfully ran for city council where I have served two terms [four years]. At the same time, I served on the City Advertising and Promotion Committee (CAPC) for 2023, 2024 and 2025 including being chair in 2025.
ESI: What are your qualifications for serving as mayor?
Holifield: I have addressed several issues while on city council including trying to get our sidewalks fixed and making sure everyone’s voices are heard. I also worked to try to put the Entertainment District on the ballot. Being on council taught me each individual council member only has so much influence to improve city issues. The mayor runs the city. I want to make real changes and that means running for the highest office in town.
I believe my background working at every level of government agencies – city, county and federal – gives me a unique perspective. My first bachelor’s degree was in Political Science with a minor in Sociology before I pivoted to a career in mental health. I obtained my second bachelor’s in Psychology and a master’s in Counseling.
In short, I think everything I have done in my life has led me to this place and time and this calling to step up and help out the town and the people I love.
ESI: What can be done to enhance tourism in Eureka?
Holifield: We already have a great system in place with our CAPC. All we need to do is support our city commissions. They have the expertise and experience.
ESI: What can be done to diversify the city’s economy?
Holifield: I like our Board of Zoning Adjustment Commission’s idea of creating economic development areas that could be used to attract new businesses to town.
ESI: What can be done to address the city’s aging infrastructure?
Holifield: I support the one percent tax increase to address the aging infrastructure. But saving with the I&I fund only goes so far. We need bigger changes than this system will allow.
The city has waited way too late to address real issues and there needs to be planning for the future. Reacting to one problem at a time is not addressing the issue, it is just reacting in crisis mode. If the one percent tax increase does not pass, then the city needs to buckle down on the budget and make some tough decisions. Even if we only do a little bit each year it’s better than nothing, and this includes several infrastructure issues.
ESI: How can progress be made on affordable housing?
Holifield: This is a national issue but listening to Dan and Suzie Bell with ECHO Village at a recent meeting gave me hope that there are options out there including establishing a housing authority.
ESI: What is your philosophy about management of city employees?
Holifield: The mayor is the city manager and is responsible for all city employees through the department heads. The key is the hiring and management of those department heads that will trickle down to all employees.