Youth Council
Bella Vista Youth Council 2024-2025
Bella Vista’s demographics are changing to include many young families with children. The City of Bella Vista is launching its premiere Youth Council starting in the fall of 2024. The Youth Council positions are open to Bella Vista residents who are high school juniors and seniors at the start of the 2024/25 school year.
- The purpose of our Youth Council is to educate high school aged Bella Vista residents in the operation and conduct of municipal government, promote civic engagement, and encourage their thoughts regarding improving local government.
- The benefit to our city is long term. A Youth Council promotes civic engagement among young people providing knowledge, skills, and community service opportunities to the next generation of municipal leaders.
A Youth Council fosters a better understanding among young people of how city government works and encourages young people to engage in the political process to inject fresh ideas and perspectives into local decision-making.
The first Bella Vista Youth Council will consist of nine members in either grades 11 or 12 who are chosen from applicants from Bentonville High School, Gravette High School or Pea Ridge High School, as well as from area charter schools, private schools, and home schools, who are also residents of Bella Vista.
See a draft of a proposed schedule here.
Do you think you would be a good fit for this program? Download the application and submit by email to whardina@bellavistaar.gov or by mail to Bella Vista City Hall, PO Box 5655 Bella Vista, AR 72714. Deadline to apply is Friday, May 17.
DOWNLOAD APPLICATION HERE