XNA, Highfill reach agreement after dispute

• The memorandum of understanding approved by the airport's board of directors and the Highfill City Council allows the city to continue collecting sales taxes at XNA through 2030, when water and sewer bonds issued in 2018 and 2021 should be paid off. The agreement does not include the bonds that were issued in 2024.

Between the lines: Highfill is a small rural town. Mayor Chris Holland previously said it would be a financial disaster for the city if the airport detached, 5News reported.

Context: The airport and the city have been tied up in lawsuits. Both will drop all pending litigation in Benton County Circuit Court and pay their own attorney fees and costs upon a final order of detachment, the newspaper reported. The city also cannot raise taxes on airport property, per the agreement.

• The XNA board of directors voted in 2023 to begin the de-annexation process.