Agenda Highlights 10/14/25

At the Fort Smith Board of Directors meeting to be held 10-14-25, the Board will vote on whether to annex 45 acres of land near Hwy 271 and Texas Road. The land is 9 residential and 11 non-residential properties. Potentially positive results of annexation for owners of the properties would include access to all City services including police, fire, sewer, solid waste, streets, and free library cards, a decrease in water rates due to being regular instead of out-of-town rates, and decreased homeowners insurance rates due to Fort Smith’s higher ISO fire protection rating. Potentially negative results of annexation for owners of the properties would include an 8 mil increase in property taxes, sales taxes increasing to 9.5% to include the 2% in City taxes, being required to follow all City codes and ordinances including animal ordinances, property codes, and prohibition of discharging firearms. A public hearing was held on this issue at the 8-19-25 meeting and no citizens spoke on the issue.

If the land is annexed, the Board will vote on zoning for the land.

The Board will vote on zoning changes for 6001 Prairie Drive that would allow for the existing former Imperial Vending building to be used as Elliot Electric, a wholesale electrical, plumbing, heat and air-conditioning business.

The Board will vote on zoning changes for 6210, 6220, 6212, 6230, and 6234 Massard for commercial buildings.

The Board will vote on zoning changes for 6000, 6100, and 6120 Prairie Drive to allow an undeveloped lot to be developed with a new building for wholesale company Johnstone Supply.

The Board will vote on whether to enter into a loaned personnel agreement with Burns & McDonnell to allow for Ben Marts to serve as the Interim Director of Engineering. With all 4 Streets and Drainage project engineer positions currently vacant, there are no qualified applicants to fill the position even temporarily. This issue was discussed and tabled at the 9-16-25 meeting and discussed at the 9-23-25 study session meeting. The agreement discussed at those previous meetings would have been for up to 6 months of full-time work at a cost not to exceed $317,493, but the agreement to be voted on at the 10-14-25 meeting has been changed so that now it would only be for up to 3 months and not to exceed $155,121.80 and it would also specify the Streets and Drainage role.

The Board will vote on contracting with Ghan and Cooper (the only real estate firm to submit for the opportunity) for 1 year to list 3 unused City owned properties for sale. The property at 7700 Texas Road would be listed for $45,000. The property at 4401 Massard Road would be listed for $2 million. The property at 1400 Riverfront Drive would be listed for $70,000.

The Board will vote on whether to apply for an Arkansas Hazard Mitigation grant for $400,000 to be used for the stormwater retention ponds planned for the former Acme Brick site. The grant would result in $300,000 in state funds and require a $100,000 contribution in City funds. The City funds would come from the sales tax for streets, bridges, and drainage.

The Board will vote on whether to apply for an Arkansas Hazard Mitigation grant for $400,000 to be used for the riverbank stabilization project near the levee. The grant would result in $300,000 in state funds and require a $100,000 contribution in City funds. The City funds would come from the sales tax for streets, bridges, and drainage.

The Board will vote on whether to apply for an Arkansas Hazard Mitigation grant for $400,000 to be used for the Mill Creek bank stabilization project. The grant would result in $300,000 in state funds and require a $100,000 contribution in City funds. The City funds would come from the sales tax for streets, bridges, and drainage.

The Board will vote on whether to accept a $691,636.36 federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant that has been awarded to the Fire Department. The grant would require a local contribution of $69,163.64. The Fire Department would use the money to purchase 73 self contained breathing apparatus units and 150 face pieces.