The Conway City Council addressed several major projects during its Tuesday, November 10, 2026, meeting, including a long-term community forest management plan, approval of hospital revenue bonds totaling up to $33 million, and the purchase of nearly $439,000 in new recycling equipment.
Council members also addressed grant funding, emergency communications equipment, and Conway Fire Department improvements.
Conway’s Tree Canopy Now Covers 34% of City
Sandra Albro of Davey Resource Group presented the Conway Community Forest Plan during the council’s committee meeting.
The plan, funded through a U.S. Department of Agriculture Urban and Community Forestry grant, outlines strategies to protect and improve Conway’s urban forest over the next 20 years.
According to information presented to city officials, Conway’s tree canopy now covers approximately 34% of the city, representing an increase of 440 acres since 2017.
The findings demonstrate the expansion of tree coverage across Conway during the past 9 years.
The Community Forest Plan includes 6 major management strategies aimed at maintaining healthy trees, protecting existing canopy coverage, and preparing for environmental threats.
Among the recommendations are:
- Structured tree pruning — Establishing systematic maintenance practices to promote tree health, improve safety, and reduce damage from falling limbs.
- Species diversification — Encouraging a wider variety of tree species to strengthen the urban forest and reduce the potential impact of diseases and pests.
- Emerald ash borer preparedness — Developing strategies to monitor and respond to the invasive beetle that threatens ash trees.
The plan also emphasizes the importance of preserving existing trees, supporting new plantings, and managing the community’s urban forest as Conway continues growing.
The Conway Tree Board and city officials have been working with Davey Resource Group to develop the long-range plan.
Council members approved accepting and appropriating $64,255.21 in grant reimbursement funding through the Arkansas Department of Agriculture Forestry Division for work completed on the Community Forest Plan.
Conway Regional Medical Center Approved for Up to $33 Million in Bonds
In another major action, the Conway City Council approved a resolution authorizing the issuance of Series 2026 hospital revenue improvement and refunding bonds for the Conway Regional Medical Center Master Campus Plan.
The bond authorization allows the City of Conway Health Facilities Board to issue up to $33,020,000 to finance and refinance hospital improvements.
The master campus plan includes several potential projects intended to expand medical services and improve patient access.
Projects identified in the bond documents include:
- Construction and improvements involving medical office buildings.
- Expansion of women’s health services, including the neonatal intensive care unit and nursery.
- Additional parking facilities serving the medical campus.
- Potential improvements to the Conway Regional Health and Fitness Center at 700 Salem Road.
- Potential improvements to the Conway Regional Medical Office Building at 550 Club Lane.
A portion of the bond proceeds may also be used to refinance outstanding Series 2019 hospital bonds.
During an earlier council presentation, Conway Regional officials discussed plans for a new medical office facility of approximately 30,000 square feet, allowing orthopedic services currently located on Club Lane to move closer to the hospital’s main campus.
City Not Responsible for Hospital Bond Payments
Although the Conway City Council approved the resolution, the financing is being issued through the city’s Health Facilities Board.
According to the resolution, the city is not assuming any direct or indirect financial responsibility for repayment of the Series 2026 bonds.
The council’s action fulfills the legislative approval requirement for the Health Facilities Board to proceed with the financing.
Conway Approves $438,995 Recycling Equipment Purchase
Council members also approved the purchase of a new optical sorting system for the Conway Department of Sanitation.
The $438,995 purchase includes a near-infrared hyperspectral imaging optical sorting system and an acceleration conveyor.
The equipment will replace a sorting system that has been in operation since 2009.
Conway Sanitation Department Director Joe Hopper explained that the existing equipment is used to sort plastics and is an important part of the city’s recycling operations.
The city received a bid of $438,995 from Bulk Handling Systems Emerging Acquisitions, LLC.
According to city records, the Sanitation Department already had $372,189.50 available in its machinery and equipment budget.
Council members approved transferring an additional $66,805.50 from the Sanitation Enterprise Fund to cover the remaining purchase cost.
The new optical sorting system uses advanced imaging technology to help identify and separate recyclable materials.
The equipment is expected to support the continued operation of Conway’s recycling facility.
Emergency Operations Center Equipment Transfer
The council also approved accepting equipment, furniture, communications technology, and other property from Faulkner County for the Conway Emergency Operations Center.
The transferred inventory has a combined acquisition value of $427,463.09.
The equipment includes communications consoles, office technology, dispatch furniture, and other resources used to support emergency management operations.
The transfer formalizes city ownership of equipment already being used in connection with the emergency operations center.
Conway Fire Department Equipment and Funding
Council members also addressed several Conway Fire Department matters.
The council approved removing an out-of-service ICOR Robot MK3 from department inventory.
The equipment is being donated to the University of Central Arkansas Science and Engineering Department.
Additional funding approved for the Conway Fire Department includes:
- $7,612 in insurance proceeds for repairs to Engine 3 following accident damage.
- $704 donated by Harps Food Stores to purchase water for fire department personnel.
These actions allow the department to account for donated funds, repair equipment, and remove outdated inventory.
City Projects Focus on Future Growth
Tuesday’s council meeting highlighted Conway’s continued investment in environmental management, medical infrastructure, recycling operations, and emergency services.
The Community Forest Plan provides a long-term framework for protecting Conway’s growing tree canopy, while the hospital bond authorization supports planned medical campus improvements without placing repayment responsibility on the city.
Meanwhile, the recycling equipment purchase and emergency operations improvements address ongoing municipal service needs.
Source: City of Conway, November 10, 2026, City Council meeting agenda and supporting documents
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