Lee Kemp

Firefighter compensation

An average 13.7% raise for uniformed fire staff, effective January 1, 2027, established as a 2027 budget priority.

Flock camera audit

2027 RVCC Budget and Municipal Cost-Sharing

About $44,000 in new reimbursable expenses approved, leaving roughly $53,500 of the $400,000 state reimbursement.

Interlocal Agreement Cost-Sharing Changes

Changes could shift how dispatch costs are shared among the city, county, and smaller municipalities.

Dilapidated structure enforcement and vacant-home squatting

Demolition costs would fall to owners, or the city if it performs the work.

Homelessness and the Bell Point Schoolhouse proposal

Single-bid controversy on Z003 sewer project

Rejection delays a consent decree project by roughly a month; potential litigation costs could exceed $50,000.

Political sign handling at city facilities

Post-consolidation staffing and revenue pressures

Reopening the closed fire station would cost a million-plus dollars for a truck alone, plus nine new hires; police overtime is already climbing.

Downtown graffiti and public safety

City abatement costs are recovered through liens on neglected properties, but homelessness response costs continue to grow.

Municipal fine for transporting unhoused people to Fort Smith

A fine could generate revenue but enforcement costs are unknown; comparable cities have issued no citations.

Internal audit independence under a new form of government

Better audit follow-through should reduce wasted spending and repeated findings across departments.

Police and Fire Compensation Crisis

The fire department's proposed adjustment carries an estimated $1.65 million annual cost; the draft 2027 budget currently includes only about half of it.

Silent fraud hotline

911 dispatch consolidation of Sebastian County and Fort Smith operations

The state 911 Board is reimbursing $400,000 toward consolidation; the board has now committed about $303,000 of it, with more expenses possible after the merger.

Switch from ProPhoenix to CentralSquare dispatch system

Cost of the replacement system was not stated in the minutes.

Governing board bylaws delayed to September

Homeless camping ordinance

The city spends staff time and contractor money clearing encampments from private property, with cleanup costs billed to owners.

Grant applications for 911 center and public safety communications

If awarded, the 911 facility grant would still require a $2 million local share paid from 911 funds; the DOJ grant requires no local money.

Downtown policing and homelessness enforcement

A fine could generate revenue but enforcement costs are unknown; comparable cities have issued no citations.

Resolution authorizing the Acting City Administrator to submit an application to the FY26 Model Cities Initiative Grant Program administered by the United States Department of Justice (Public Safety Communications)