Fort Smith · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Fort Smith public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Firefighter compensation
The board adopted an average 13.7% raise for uniformed firefighters for 2027 and, after advocates pushed, made it effective January 1 instead of April. Speakers said the city has been losing trained firefighters to Northwest Arkansas departments.
Political sign handling at city facilities
Director Christina Catsavis said a candidate's sign was removed and displayed inside Creekmore during early voting, and asked staff to draft a policy keeping removed signs out of polling places and city buildings.
Homelessness and the Bell Point Schoolhouse proposal
Glenn Forte' proposed converting the vacant Bell Point Schoolhouse into a transitional housing and jobs facility with work requirements, sobriety support, and rent savings returned when residents secure permanent housing.
Flock camera audit
Sharon Lockwood warned that Flock cameras can listen inside vehicles and that the data belongs to the vendor, calling it 'wireless tapping' and urging the Board to think carefully about privacy before expanding surveillance.
Interlocal Agreement Cost-Sharing Changes
The board is weighing changes to the interlocal agreement covering purchasing procedures and the 69.7%/30.3% funding split between Fort Smith and Sebastian County, plus whether smaller municipalities should help pay. Draft bylaws are coming in March.
2027 RVCC Budget and Municipal Cost-Sharing
The committee was scheduled to hear from Dr. Wes Milam, director of the regional 911 communications center. Dispatch capacity and funding affect how quickly police, fire, and EMS respond across the Fort Smith area.
Single-bid controversy on Z003 sewer project
The city opened a sole $5.5 million bid that came in 19% over estimate, then tried to reject it — prompting a legal threat from the contractor. The episode exposed gaps in the city's bid-opening procedures and advertising practices, and led to a tabled item and negotiation directive.
Dilapidated structure enforcement and vacant-home squatting
An ordinance would order owners of four substandard houses to demolish them, or authorize the city to do the demolition. It's a neighborhood-blight issue affecting property values and safety on Blair Avenue, Rowe Avenue, North 9th Street, and South K Street.
Police and Fire Compensation Crisis
The fire chief documented that Fort Smith firefighters are the lowest paid of ten comparable Arkansas departments at every rank, and the department is losing experienced personnel to Fayetteville. Directors signaled strong support for funding the full proposed increase in the 2027 budget.
Post-consolidation staffing and revenue pressures
Budget cuts at the start of 2026 eliminated police officer positions and an entire fire engine company at Chaffee Crossing. Police are nearly fully staffed but leaning on overtime; restoring the fire company would take nine hires, a million-dollar truck, and two to three years. The chiefs say another big weekend like the recent chemical spill, homicide, and rally could push departments past capacity.
Downtown graffiti and public safety
Police report more proactive contacts downtown and less vacancy, while the community survey of 1,200 people shows perceived safety is tied more to how downtown looks — vacant storefronts, visible homelessness — than to crime stats. Live music was the top want across all ages.
Silent fraud hotline
Two straight years of zero hotline reports. Members noted industry guidance says a silent hotline usually means employees don't trust it — a leftover, they said, from a previous administration's control of the process.
Internal audit independence under a new form of government
The city's internal audit shop is professionalizing fast — new templates, a new certification, and a jump from the lowest maturity level to Level 2. The committee wants assurance that management actually fixes audit findings this time, with the acting city administrator on the hook for follow-through.
Municipal fine for transporting unhoused people to Fort Smith
A proposed ordinance would make it illegal for outside communities or individuals to transport unhoused people into Fort Smith without the city's consent, with exceptions for jails, hospitals, verified shelters, and court dates.
Police Precinct and Training Facility funding
The city wants to turn the former Crain Kia property on Highway 71 South into a second police precinct and training facility, costing about $9.9 million. The proposed fix: pledge part of the city's $8.4 million in yearly utility franchise fees to pay off a loan, avoiding a tax increase — but that money currently funds everyday city services, and the Board couldn't agree to move forward.
Downtown policing and homelessness enforcement
The downtown liaison officer reported six arrests from night operations targeting public urination and defecation, a camera trailer placed at 5th and A where homeless loitering has grown, and crosswalk enforcement efforts. Rooster's Bar is closing for four months after state ABC compliance issues.
Homeless camping ordinance
The Board revisited a proposed ban on camping on public property, modeled on the Grants Pass, Oregon ordinance. After lengthy discussion with the city attorney and police chief, they couldn't agree to bring it back for a vote — so the city still has no such rule on the books.
Police Investigation of Threat
Fort Smith police are looking into a threat against a mayoral candidate’s press secretary, and it’s a sign the local race is getting ugly. The investigation matters because political staff shouldn’t have to work under intimidation—and it can shape how safe and credible the election feels.
Police and fire staffing, pay and facilities
Directors discussed firefighter pay lagging police pay, losses to neighboring departments, a paramedic-heavy fire response model, and financing a police precinct/training center with franchise fees. A July 28 study session will take up the precinct financing.
Governing board bylaws delayed to September
The board got its first look at draft bylaws that would formalize quorum rules, meeting procedures, budgeting, and procurement. Adoption will also require approval by the Fort Smith Board of Directors and the Quorum Court.
Switch from ProPhoenix to CentralSquare dispatch system
The River Valley Communication Center and Police Department need a new CAD/records system. A funding resolution goes before the Board on July 7.
911 dispatch consolidation of Sebastian County and Fort Smith operations
The two-county dispatch merger is on track for the week of July 6, 2026, when all 911 calls will route to the unified Fort Smith center. A minor CAD setback won't delay it, and the board approved the equipment purchases needed to make the Fort Smith PSAP ready.
2025 Fire Department Annual Report
The fire chief's annual report covers the department's 2025 response activity and operations.
Police Injury Pay Policy
Fort Smith leaders are reworking how injured police and first responders get paid after an officer was shot and critically hurt on duty. The policy update could change the money and support available when someone gets hurt protecting the city.
Downtown code enforcement inaction on Garrison building
Commissioners are frustrated that a Garrison Avenue building has sat in code enforcement status with 'no progress' for about a year. Staff will bring code enforcement leadership to the next meeting and explore whether the city board of directors could adopt an ordinance targeting inaction.
Grant applications for 911 center and public safety communications
Two grant applications would fund the River Valley Communications Center: up to $10 million from the DOT for a new 911 facility (needing a $2 million local match from 911 funds) and $300,000 from the DOJ for radio interoperability equipment with no local match.
Park restroom vandalism
A broken breaker box at Tilles Park posed an electrocution risk and took weeks to fix while staff juggle competing priorities. Staff say cameras don't solve it — the vandalism is a years-long, citywide battle that keeps nice restrooms closed.
Vacancy on the Civil Service Commission
The commission still has an empty seat and no new applications have come in. The city will readvertise the position to try to fill it.
Citizens Forum rule changes
Changes are coming to how residents address the board: Citizens Forum would move to the beginning of each regular meeting, allow any topic, and give each speaker 3 minutes. An ordinance goes up April 21.
Emergency vehicle access on narrow dead-end street
Three new rental homes are going up at the end of a narrow road with deep ditches that doesn't connect through. Fire trucks need a turnaround, which is why the owner asked to pave more of the front yard than normally allowed. It's a trade-off between a bit more pavement and faster emergency response.
Non-Ambulatory Transportation Franchise Renewal
The city was set to renew the franchise of Non-Ambulatory Transportation Service for five more years, keeping specialized rides for elderly and disabled residents through 2031.
Radio system backup and AWIN Phase 2 compliance
Board members questioned why aging backup radio consolettes from 2008 are being replaced when they might still work. The director explained AWIN requires Phase 2 compliance by 2031 and the unified center needs a bigger backup footprint for multiple agencies.
Compass Park splash pad safety fencing
Black iron fencing, cost-shared 50/50 with the CBID, will keep kids from running in front of large trucks near the splash pad, done by opening season.
Mosquito fogging reinstatement
Residents have pushed to bring back mosquito fogging. Directors Rego and Good placed an item on the March 17 agenda to act on it.
Reinstatement of mosquito fogging
The city stopped mosquito fogging in April 2025 and got plenty of complaints. Directors Rego and Good asked to bring it back, with fogging running May 1 through at least September 30 each year plus larvicide giveaways for standing water.
Security lighting in alleyways
Directors wanted better lighting in alleys for safety, but a citywide install costs too much. The Board steered toward a pilot program in high-crime areas identified by police.
Police Vehicle Fleet Purchases
Four separate resolutions would buy more than half a million dollars in police vehicles — SUVs, trucks, and K9 units — using 1/8-cent sales tax money.
Pedestrian safety near Northside High School
Director Rego reported several near-misses at crosswalks on South B Street near Northside High School and asked for blinking warning signs for drivers.
Next Step Homeless Services facility
All $6.1 million for the tiny homes facility at South 6th and South I has been raised, with groundbreaking expected within months and 12-16 months of construction to follow.
Reinstatement of Spay/Neuter Voucher Program
The voucher program helped low-income residents spay or neuter their pets, but the money ran out in August 2025 and 2026 has no funding. Directors heard heavy community demand and moved to restore about $150,000 at next week's meeting.
Gas well noise in the neighborhood
Neighbors say a producing gas well exceeds city noise limits and that promised legal action hasn't materialized. Staff confirmed the well is in violation and the case has gone to the city prosecutor.
Dispatcher personnel transition
Sebastian County dispatchers must decide by mid-March whether to become Fort Smith employees, with seniority dates preserved and day-one insurance coverage. About 6-8 are expected to transfer; post-consolidation staffing will be 28 telecommunicators and 6 supervisors.