Fayetteville City Councilmember Jonathon Berna announced Saturday that he will not seek re-election to his Ward 3 seat this fall, opening the door for new faces in local government as the city faces key decisions around growth, housing, and infrastructure.
Berna, who has served on the council since 2019, made the announcement in a post on social media. He cited a desire to spend more time with family and focus on his career as a real estate appraiser. His term ends in December 2024.
“Serving the people of Fayetteville has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Berna wrote. “However, it’s time for me to step back and focus on my family and career.”
Ward 3, which includes parts of central and southern Fayetteville, has seen rapid change in recent years. New developments, rising housing costs, and shifting demographics have made it a key battleground for local policy debates. Berna has been involved in several major city initiatives, including efforts to revise the comprehensive plan and address concerns about short-term rentals.
Two candidates have already announced campaigns for his seat: Andrew Brink, a software engineer and former Peace Corps volunteer, and Hayley Hall, a local business owner and community organizer. Both are expected to formally file paperwork with the Washington County Election Commission in the coming weeks.
Brink, who lives in Ward 3, has emphasized transparency and long-term planning in his early campaign materials. Hall, also a Ward 3 resident, has focused on affordable housing and small business support. Neither has held elected office before.
Local political observers say the race could draw significant attention, especially with Berna’s absence potentially reshaping the council’s dynamic. Berna was often seen as a moderate voice on the five-member body, willing to work across party lines but not afraid to challenge city staff or push for resident input on major projects.
“This is a big moment for Ward 3 voters,” said Lori Martin, executive director of the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute and a frequent speaker at city events. “The next councilmember will be making decisions that impact everything from neighborhood density to how we handle growth over the next decade.”
Fayetteville’s city government has been wrestling with a number of pressing issues, from managing an expanding urban service boundary to coordinating with the Northwest Arkansas Council on regional transportation funding. Berna’s departure means at least one new voice will be part of those conversations starting in January 2025.
“Jonathon brought a pragmatic approach to the table,” said longtime Ward 3 resident and community advocate Sarah Collins. “Whoever replaces him is going to have big shoes to fill, especially with so much development happening in this part of town.”
The campaign season is expected to heat up quickly. In past Fayetteville city races, candidates have focused heavily on grassroots outreach, from door-knocking to community forums. With two newcomers vying for the seat, that trend could continue.
Berna’s decision not to run comes at a time when many local officials across Northwest Arkansas are weighing their futures. Some cite burnout, others new opportunities. For Berna, the choice appears to be about balance — a common theme among public servants who juggle civic duty with full-time careers and family life.
“I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished,” Berna said in his statement. “But now it’s time for someone else to step up and bring their energy and ideas to the table.”
Source: 5News KFSM
