Fort Smith, AR

Audit Advisory Committee

The Audit Advisory Committee will review the Draft of the 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) during its regular meeting. This item is the only substantive business on the agenda, involving discussion and potential recommendations on the city's financial statements.

• Review of Draft 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR)

Board of Directors - Regular Meeting

The Board of Directors will consider an ordinance to call a November 3, 2026 special election on changing Fort Smith's government from city-administrator to mayor-council form, after a previous 3-3-1 vote defeated it. The agenda also includes four rezoning requests, authorizations for sewer utility projects, and approval of a five-year consolidated plan for federal grants.

• Ordinance to call a special election on changing the form of government (previously defeated 3-3-1)
• Rezoning at 705 Xavier Street: Industrial Light to Residential Multifamily Medium Density
• Rezoning at 606 South 22nd Street: Residential Multifamily High Density to Transitional
• Resolution authorizing acquisition of sewer utility easements for 2023 SSA Remedial Measures, Sub-Basin Z003 ($5,762)
• Resolution authorizing partial payment to InLINER Solutions for 2016 SSA Remedial Measures, Sub-Basin P005 ($1,092,571.52)

Board of Directors - Strategic Workshop

The Board of Directors is holding a full-day strategic workshop facilitated by the University of Arkansas Fort Smith. The agenda includes reviewing the board's values, mission, and vision, discussing a SWOT analysis conducted via email, and brainstorming strategies to leverage strengths, overcome weaknesses, and mitigate threats. No votes or binding decisions are scheduled; this is a planning session to build a strategic agenda for the year.

• Review of values, mission, and vision
• Environmental scan (SWOT) discussion
• Strategic brainstorming on strengths and weaknesses
• Strategic brainstorming on opportunities and threats
• Building a strategic agenda for the year

River Valley Communications Center Board - Regular Meeting

The River Valley Communications Center Board approved a budget amendment for $400,000 in consolidation funds and authorized the purchase of $303,426.75 in network equipment, radio consoles, and chairs. The board also discussed the status of a new computer-aided dispatch system.

• Budget amendment for $400,000 in AR 911 Board consolidation funds
• Purchase of network equipment for $42,685.57
• Purchase of radio console move for $272,043.23
• Purchase of dispatcher chairs for $18,610.15
• Discussion on replacing ProPhoenix CAD system with CentralSquare for $372,272.46

Board of Directors - Study Session

The Fort Smith Board of Directors will hold a study session to discuss a proposed resolution requiring healthcare systems to notify city officials of service reductions or closures. The meeting also includes a review of the 2026-2030 Community Development Block Grant plan and a discussion on a financial assistance agreement for the Bailey Hill Redevelopment Project.

• Discussion on hospital service reduction notification legislation
• Review of 2026-2030 Community Development Block Grant plan
• Discussion on Bailey Hill Redevelopment Project financial assistance
• Review of ProPhoenix CAD/RMS/Mobile replacement solution
• Review of July 7, 2026 regular meeting agenda

Board of Directors - Regular Meeting

The Board of Directors is considering updates to employee injury leave policies and several city resolutions. Items include infrastructure agreements, street plan engineering, and various construction or maintenance contracts.

• Amendment to Human Resources Injury Leave Policy for non-uniformed employees
• Agreement with Adopt A Charger for electric vehicle charging stations ($3,250,000.00)
• Agreement with Housing Authority for Bailey Hill Redevelopment Project ($1,000,000.00)
• Agreement with Halff Associates, Inc. for 2026 Master Street Plan ($273,000.00)
• Purchase of a Wilo submersible pump and motor for 'P' Street Wastewater Treatment Plant ($103,251.00)

Parks and Recreation Commission - Regular Meeting

The Parks and Recreation Commission will discuss a request to convey the 1.5-acre Leo Fondren Park property back to the Fondren family. The City currently maintains the property at 4300 Harriett Avenue but has no plans for development.

• Discuss conveyance of Leo Fondren Park property
• Review project updates for Woodlawn Park, Creekmore Park, and Riverfront Skate and Bike Park
• Approve minutes from the May 13, 2026 meeting

Board of Directors - Study Session

The Fort Smith Board of Directors will hear presentations on the 2025 annual reports from the Police and Fire departments, an update on the RAISE/BUILD Grant for the Bass Reeves Legacy Loop, and discuss a potential senior citizen water rate freeze or discount. The board will also review the preliminary agenda for the June 16 regular meeting.

• Police annual report: 10.6% reduction in Group A crime from 2024, lowest crime levels in decades; $24.8 million budget with $3.69 million from dedicated sales tax; 16 new officers hired.
• Fire department 2025 annual report presentation (no details provided in agenda).
• Update on RAISE/BUILD Grant for Bass Reeves Legacy Loop (no details provided).
• Discussion on senior citizen water utility rate freeze or discount, continued from previous meetings.
• Review of preliminary agenda for June 16, 2026 regular meeting.

Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustment - Regular Meeting

The Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustment will jointly consider a consent agenda including a final plat, a home occupation for massage therapy, an assisted living facility, and a development plan for a shopping center with drive-through. Separate public hearings will address a master land use plan amendment and rezoning from industrial to multifamily medium density at 705 Xavier Street, multiple variance requests for lot width, setbacks, and airport buffers, a rezoning for a planned business park, and development plans for office, warehouse, and restaurant addition.

• Consent: final plat (High Pointe at Kelley Ridge), home occupation (8604 Southridge Dr), conditional use for assisted living (2201-2203 N 58th St), development plan for shopping center with drive-through (8716 Rogers Ave)
• Master plan amendment and rezoning to multifamily medium density at 705 Xavier St
• Rezoning from Planned Zoning District to new PZD for Grand Slam Business Park at 5300 S Zero St and 5991 Grand Slam Loop
• Variance from 30 ft to 10 ft airport buffer in I-1 zone at 5400 S 66th St
• Development plan for office and warehouse at 5400 S 66th St

Sales Tax Review Committee - Regular Meeting

The Sales Tax Review Committee will review and discuss quarterly sales tax reports for countywide, police, fire, parks, and consent decree funds. They will verify that revenues are spent for their intended purposes per voter-approved ballot titles. The committee will also approve minutes from prior meetings.

• Total Q1 2026 sales tax revenues of $17.1 million and expenditures of $10.5 million across all funds
• Street Sales Tax Fund ending balance of $57.1 million
• Police Sales Tax Fund ending balance of $1.2 million
• Consent Decree Sales Tax Fund ending balance of $34.6 million
• County sales tax allocation: $4.8 million collected vs $6.1 million spent on public safety

Board of Directors - Regular Meeting

The Board of Directors will discuss updating the Unified Development Ordinance regarding childcare family homes and a liquor license application for 1004 Garrison Avenue. The meeting includes several engineering contracts and budget appropriations for city utilities.

• Engineering services for Massard Water Reclamation Facility Improvements: $8,575,000.00
• Race Track Road Water Line Improvements contract with Square One Enterprises Corporation: $1,372,304.00
• Purchase of two one-ton service trucks for Water Resources Department: $116,618.00
• Proposed ordinance to allow Childcare Family Homes as an accessory residential use
• Liquor, wine, and beer license application for Greater Fort Smith Yacht Club, Inc. (1004 Garrison Avenue)

Audit Advisory Committee - Regular Meeting

The Audit Advisory Committee will receive and discuss the external audit results for Parrot Island, presented by Forvis Mazars. The meeting also includes a round table for questions and recommendations.

• Presentation of Parrot Island Agreed-Upon Procedures (AUP) results by external auditor Forvis Mazars

Board of Directors - Study Session

The Fort Smith Board of Directors will discuss a proposed five-year wastewater agreement with the Town of Arkoma. Staff propose a rate of $3.60 per CCF, which would increase annually by 3.5%, and a plan to settle Arkoma's outstanding account balance through monthly payments.

• Discussion of wholesale wastewater services agreement with Arkoma
• Proposed $3.60 per CCF wastewater rate with 3.5% annual increase
• Plan to recalculate and settle Arkoma's past wastewater account balance
• Review of injury leave policy for City of Fort Smith employees
• Review of preliminary agenda for the June 2, 2026 regular meeting

Board of Directors - Regular Meeting

The Fort Smith Board of Directors will vote on two ordinances to present a petition to the Mayor calling for a special election to change the city's form of government from city-administrator to mayor-council, with proposed election dates of November 3, 2026 and November 9, 2027. The board will also consider several large infrastructure contracts, including a $6.9 million sewer rehabilitation project and an $8.6 million water reclamation facility improvement. A consent agenda includes items such as a friendship pact with Lask, Poland, and a grant application for bank stabilization projects.

• Ordinance to call special election on changing to mayor-council government (proposed Nov 3, 2026)
• Ordinance to call special election on changing to mayor-council government (proposed Nov 9, 2027)
• Resolution authorizing $6,857,019.47 contract with Inliner Solutions for sewer rehabilitation (Sub-Basin P008)
• Resolution authorizing $8,575,000.00 engineering agreement with Garver, LLC for Massard Water Reclamation Facility improvements
• Consent agenda: Resolution granting temporary license for wall/landscaping/sign at 5416 South X Street

Parks and Recreation Commission - Regular Meeting

The Parks and Recreation Commission will consider approving the minutes from its March 2026 meeting. They will also receive updates on various park projects, including tennis courts, pumphouse replacement, pool improvements, and playground installations. Public comments will be heard. The meeting is largely procedural with no new action items listed on the agenda.

• Approval of March 2026 meeting minutes
• Project updates on Creekmore Park tennis courts, Cisterna Park pumphouse, Woodlawn Park playground, and other facilities

Future Fort Smith Committee - Regular Meeting

The committee will hear from Transit Director Ken Savage and discuss a timeline for annual reports and goals. Updates regarding the Parks Commission and Planning Commission are also scheduled.

• Guest speaker: Ken Savage, Director of Transit
• Discussion on establishing timelines for annual reports and top 10 goals
• Parks Commission update from Sam Hanna
• Planning Commission update from Vicki Newton
• Discussion of upcoming events by Jennifer Terry

Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustment - Regular Meeting

The Fort Smith Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustment approved several zoning requests, including a convenience store with variances, duplex construction, and a preliminary plat for a residential subdivision. The meeting concluded with a vote on the approval of the preliminary plat for Fianna Hills.

• Variance request for convenience store at 3825 Jenny Lind Road
• Development plan for two duplexes at 4720 North 32nd Street and 3210 Willow Street
• Preliminary plat for Fianna Hills Lots 487A, 488A & Tract 1-B
• Temporary use permit extension for Community School of the Arts at 1101 Riverfront Drive
• Final plat for Fianna Hills Lot 426A-1

Board of Directors - Study Session

The Board of Directors will discuss a proposed change to a mayor-council form of government. They will also review proposed amendments to the City's Fiscal Performance Policies that could cap fund balances at 80% of expenditures, and review the first quarter budget for 2026. The board will also preview the agenda for the May 19 regular meeting.

• Discussion on changing to a mayor-council form of government
• Proposed amendments to Fiscal Performance Policies to add an 80% fund balance ceiling
• First Quarter Budget Review (January–March 2026)
• Review of preliminary agenda for May 19, 2026 regular meeting

Board of Directors - Regular Meeting

The Board of Directors will consider several resolutions including the approval of Year 52 CDBG and Year 33 HOME program budgets. Other items include suspending mosquito fogging, street name designations, and various utility and construction contracts.

• Approval of $772,874 for Year 52 Community Development Block Grant budget
• Approval of $367,054.07 for Year 33 HOME Investment Partnership Act Program budget
• Resolution to suspend mosquito fogging operations by Public Works
• Notice of Intent for a $2,876,138.50 FEMA BRIC grant for ACME Brick
• Contract with Langford Roofing and Construction, LLC for $342,000.00 for roof repairs

Civil Service Commission - Regular Meeting

The Civil Service Commission will meet to conduct business, primarily the election of a Chairman. The meeting is scheduled for May 4, 2026, at the Blue Lion.

• Election of Chairman

The Civil Service Commission met to elect a chairman for the upcoming year. Dr. Cole Goodman was re-elected to another term. The commission also discussed staffing impacts on police and fire departments following 2026 position cuts.

• Re-elected Dr. Cole Goodman as chairman (unanimous, excluding Dr. Goodman)

Board of Directors - Study Session

The Board will review project recommendations by the Community Development Advisory Committee for Year 52 CDBG ($772,874) and Year 33 HOME ($367,054.07) funding, including a $40,000 decrease in CDBG allocation. They will also discuss proposing legislation on community notification of hospital service reductions or closures, a resolution tabled from March 31 pending communication with the state delegation. Additionally, the Board will review the preliminary agenda for the May 5 regular meeting.

• CDBG allocation reduced by $40,000 to $772,874; HOME allocation is $367,054.07
• CDAC recommends $115,931.10 for public service projects, including Meals on Wheels and rental assistance
• Conflict of interest blocks Compass Realty's HOME application; staff recommends redirecting funds to Crawford Sebastian CDC
• Discussion of proposed legislation requiring community notification of hospital service reductions or closures (tabled from March 31)
• First use of Neighborly Software for application and scoring process

Board of Directors - Regular Meeting

The Board of Directors will consider an ordinance to allow citizens three minutes to speak on city business at the start of regular meetings. The body is also reviewing several engineering contracts and infrastructure payments related to stormwater and sewer projects.

• Ordinance to repeal and replace Section 2-44(b) to restore a 3-minute citizen comment period
• Amendment No. 1 with Halff Associates, Inc. for ACME Brick Stormwater Mitigation Ponds for $464,860.00
• Partial payment to Krapff-Reynolds Construction Company for 2017 SSA Remedial Measures, Sub-Basin MC06 for $1,200,052.26
• Purchase of a large heavy duty transit bus from Gillig, LLC for $783,611.00
• Partial payment to Forsgren, Incorporated for Highway 45 Utility Relocation for $912,484.18

Board of Directors - Study Session

The Board of Directors will review a proposal for a 'frontage levy' to fund water infrastructure. Members will also discuss the design of ACME Brick Stormwater Mitigation Ponds and a potential water rate freeze for residents aged 65 and older.

• Discussion of Amendment No. 1 to engineering agreement for ACME Brick Stormwater Mitigation Ponds (Project No. 25-06-A)
• Presentation on a proposed 'frontage levy' for water infrastructure funding
• Discussion regarding water rate freeze for residents aged 65 and older
• Review of rules regarding comments during Citizens Forum

Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustment - Regular Meeting

The Fort Smith Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustment approved a conditional use permit and a variance for a new primary and secondary school (K-8, 600 students) at 3510 North Street, requiring a setback reduction from 100 to 25 feet in an Industrial Light zone. They also approved a temporary use permit for two portable classrooms at Southside High School (4100 Gary Street) until July 31, 2026, and several plats for lot consolidations in Fianna Hills and other subdivisions. All votes were unanimous or near-unanimous with one abstention each.

• Conditional use permit for a 35,798 sq ft two-story K-8 school at 3510 North Street with 100 parking spaces
• Variance reducing exterior side yard setback from 100 to 25 feet at 3510 North Street
• Temporary use permit for two portable classrooms at Southside High School, 4100 Gary Street, until July 31, 2026
• Preliminary and final plats for Lot 426A-1 at 9800 Jenny Lind Road (0.73 acres) to combine with former golf course land
• Consent agenda approved preliminary and final plats for Fianna Hills, Fairway 15 Village, High Pointe at Kelly Ridge, and Ladera Phase 1

Property Owners Appeal Board - Regular Meeting

The Property Owners Appeal Board will consider a variance request from Craig McKenzie to allow 50 percent concrete coverage in the front yard at 3112 South 40th Street. The applicant states the concrete is needed for a turnaround area to accommodate emergency vehicles.

• Variance request for 50% concrete coverage at 3112 South 40th Street
• Request to exceed 40% limit for improved surface area
• Meeting at Blue Lion, 101 North 2nd Street, Room B
• Hearing scheduled for April 13, 2026 at 11:00 am
• Parcel number 17740-0007-00003-00

Audit Advisory Committee - Regular Meeting

The Audit Advisory Committee will receive updates on the 2025 City Financial Statement audit and the Parrot Island AUP from Forvis Mazars, along with internal audit department items such as fraud awareness training and methodology. No major decisions or public hearings are on the agenda.

• Approve meeting minutes from 1/8/2026
• 2025 City Financial Statement Audit update from Forvis Mazars
• Parrot Island AUP update from Forvis Mazars
• Fraud Awareness Training and Conflict of Interest Forms
• Internal Audit Methodology update

Parks and Recreation Commission - Regular Meeting

Parks and Recreation Commission - Regular Meeting

Board of Directors - Regular Meeting

The Fort Smith Board of Directors will consider renewing a non-exclusive franchise for Non-Ambulatory Transportation Service, Inc. for five years. The meeting will also include budget adjustments, engineering contracts, and public service agreements.

• Renewal of Non-Ambulatory Transportation Service franchise
• Amendment to Central Business Improvement District Commission membership
• Approval of $20,000 Main Street Fort Smith grant
• Authorization of $1.1M I-540 water line crossing contract
• Approval of $272K radio communication equipment purchase

Board of Directors - Special Meeting / Study Session

The Board will vote on two resolutions authorizing the City Administrator to submit FY2027 Congressionally Directed Spending requests for up to $13 million for the Lake Fort Smith Water Transmission Line and up to $20 million for the Rogers Avenue Utility Relocation Project. In the study session, members will receive an update on the consolidated NG911 PSAP project, discuss the former Crain Kia property at 8200 Highway 71 South, and review the preliminary agenda for the April 7 regular meeting.

• Resolution to seek up to $13M for Lake Fort Smith Water Transmission Line Phase 2A1-2
• Resolution to seek up to $20M for Rogers Avenue Utility Relocation Project
• Update on consolidated NG911 Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) project
• Discussion of city-owned property at 8200 Highway 71 South (former Crain Kia)
• Review of preliminary agenda for April 7, 2026 regular meeting