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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.