Fort Smith · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Fort Smith public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Goodwin & Goodwin sewer rehab contract
The city negotiated the sole bidder down $440,700 on a sewer rehab project after its bid came in 19% over the engineer's estimate — but one director warned the renegotiation sets a risky precedent.
Consent decree funding gap
Directors sparred over how to pay the remaining ~$250 million of consent decree and water infrastructure work — refinancing 2018 bonds, revenue bonds, or another sales tax. Staff committed the required financial management plan will be done by the January 19 deadline.
B Street South Sewer Upgrades
A small contract amendment adds $10,700 and 115 days for engineering work on the B Street South sewer project, which is tied to the federal consent decree work.
Lake Fort Smith Water Transmission Line Phase 2A1-2 federal funding request
Fort Smith is pulling in major federal dollars for water: $12 million from Senator Boozman for the Lake Fort Smith transmission line (no local match needed) and $3 million from HUD for neighborhood water lines. The transmission line repair overall is estimated at $300-500 million.
Consent Decree Program Management (Arcadis)
The city is hiring a national firm to manage the remaining nine years of federally mandated sewer work, funded by up to $385 million in sales tax bonds. Directors questioned whether the $2.474M first-year price will pay for itself in savings and accountability.
Water and wastewater treatment plant maintenance
The city was set to spend $919,000 cleaning treatment plant lagoons and $78,822 replacing worn-out grit conveyors — routine but necessary work to keep drinking water and sewer service reliable.
Denali lagoon-cleaning contract and competitive bidding concerns
The city awarded a $919,000 lagoon-cleaning contract to Denali Water Solutions even though it was the only bidder, prompting residents to demand broader outreach to firms serving other Arkansas cities. Staff committed to bidding next year's lagoon work earlier, advertising more widely, and contacting companies residents identified.
Massard Water Reclamation Facility Improvements (Project No. 25-15-ED1)
A $8.575 million engineering contract with Garver, LLC for upgrades to the Massard wastewater treatment facility was back on the agenda after being tabled May 19. Directors Lee Kemp and Andre Good had pushed for further discussion at a study session.
2017 SSA Remedial Measures sewer projects and consent decree compliance
Several resolutions advanced the city's federally driven sewer work: easement purchases in three sub-basins, a change order cutting over $1 million from the pipe-bursting contract, and a final payment closing out that project. Utility customers fund this through the 5/8% sales tax and bond funds.
Utility billing audit and $0 bills mystery
The Board looked at switching water bills from CCF (hundred cubic feet) to gallons so bills are easier to understand. It's on hold — every meter in the city would need replacing, and that costs serious money.
Sewer basin remediation change orders
Two change orders under the consent-decree-related sewer work: $95,407 and 50 extra days with Forsgren, and $12,099 and 16 extra days with Patriot Utilities. These continue federally mandated sewer improvements funded by the 5/8% sales tax.
Sanitary sewer remediation program funding
The board approved roughly $11 million in contracts, change orders, and engineering for ongoing sanitary sewer fixes required under the federal consent decree — work funded by sales tax and 2025 bonds.
Bulk water fill station operations at Lake Fort Smith
Rural residents who haul water from the Lake Fort Smith fill station were worried it might close. Instead, the city is installing coin-operated machines so the honor-system cash box goes away but the water keeps flowing — 72 customers told the city they depend on it.
Water billing units: CCF vs. gallons
The Board looked at switching water bills from CCF (hundred cubic feet) to gallons so bills are easier to understand. It's on hold — every meter in the city would need replacing, and that costs serious money.
Water and sewer grant applications
The city is applying for state grant dollars to help pay for a lift station, water plant pumps and filter media, and a wastewater biosolids system.
Sanitary sewer consent-decree payment
Two sewer consent decree items were before the board: an $844,805 payment to Krapff-Reynolds and a $4,000 property acquisition for Sub-Basin P005 — part of the federally mandated sewer fixes.
Stormwater drainage problems near South 28th Street and Grinnell Avenue
A neighboring property owner says decades-old drainage failures — sinkholes, an undersized culvert and an eroding ditch — have never been fixed, and fears the nursing home addition will make it worse. The city's engineer suspects a collapsed or clogged city pipe may be the real culprit. The commission required a drainage study before any building permit.
Wholesale surplus water agreement
A draft agreement to sell surplus water to non-retail (wholesale) users drew no objections, but directors want cost-share language for capital improvements and conservation enforcement added.
Manus Easement Settlement
The city planned to settle a lawsuit over easements for the Lake Fort Smith Water Transmission Line for $11,000.
Senior citizen water rate assistance
Directors are considering freezing water rates for seniors on fixed incomes. They want staff to bring feasible options to the June 9 study session before deciding.
2022 SSA Remedial Measures, Sub-Basin S005 (engineering amendment and easements)
Two resolutions supported the ongoing consent-decree-related sewer work in Sub-Basin S005: a $12,000 contract extension with Halff Associates and $18,312.18 in easement purchases from 37 property owners, with eminent domain as a last resort.
Wholesale wastewater agreement with Town of Arkoma
Fort Smith has been treating Arkoma's sewage at a steep discount proposal ($3.60/CCF vs. the $9.05 residents pay), and Arkoma owes about $141,000. Directors are weighing fairness to Fort Smith ratepayers, precedent for other towns, and whether the deal conflicts with the federal consent decree.