Agenda Highlights 11/18/25

At the Fort Smith Board of Directors meeting to be held 11-18-25, the Board will vote on a potential new ordinance that would require new capital projects estimated at $500,000 or more that were not already a part of a Capital Improvement Plan approved by the Board

• to be discussed at a study session meeting before being added to a voting meeting agenda

• there must be 7 days between the study session meeting discussing the issue and the issue being put to a vote

• staff must provide to the Board scope, cost estimates, funding sources, operational impacts, and alternatives considered

• The Internal Auditor will conduct annual compliance reviews.

• Exceptions can be made for true emergencies

This issue was discussed at the 10-28-25 meeting.

The Board will vote on changes to business license for businesses outside of the city limits that want to do business in Fort Smith. The fee for the required business license would be raised from the current $100 to $500. The proposed changes would also eliminate the current practice of waiving of the first year’s fee. If enacted, the changes are projected to raise an additional $137,900 in revenue for the general fund.

The Board will vote on increased prices for some solid waste services. A recent study showed that the revenues being brought in by the Solid Waste Department fall short of the costs of providing solid waste services.

There is no proposed change to Fort Smith residential waste pickup services. The rate of $15.89 per household per month would remain the same. A $15 charge would be instituted for garbage trucks to return to a household requesting pickup of their bins the day after their scheduled collection day because the bins were not set out in time, were not accessible, or had trash in the recycling or yard waste bins. If the request to return to pick up bins is made later than the day after the scheduled collection day, the charge would be $25.

The gate rate at the landfill would be increased from the current $36 per ton to $50 per ton. The rate for asbestos disposal would increase to $120/cubic yard. The rate for waste at the landfill that needs special handling would increase to $60/ton. The rate for pull-off service would increase to $50 per vehicle. The currently offered discounted rate that allows for Fort Smith residents to dispose of 2 cubic yards (one level pickup truck load) at the landfill for a flat rate of $10 would be offered every day instead of only one Saturday per month.

The price for Fort Smith residents to purchase compost would stay the same ($10/cubic yard). The price for non-residents and commercial customers to purchase compost would increase to $40/cubic yard.

Commercial and industrial rates would see an annual increase starting in 2027 that either matches the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics Consumer Price Index for trash for the most recent 12 months or an increase of 5%, whichever is less. So the maximum annual increase would always be no more than 5%.

The proposed changes would result in an estimated $3,753,100 in additional revenue.

The Board will vote on contracting with Western Millwright for construction on the Alleyway Rehabilitation project to improve just over 2 miles of alleyways with lighting, fencing, and permeable pavement to turn them into safer more inviting pedestrian/bicycle paths for $2,189,410 and McClelland Consulting Engineers for construction administration and engineering services on the project for $177,653. The bid from Western Millwright is significantly less than the original engineering estimate of $4,304,199. The project is fully funded through a federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grant.

The Board will vote on whether to accept the full price offer to purchase a City owned and unused property at 7700 Texas Road. The offer is for $45,000. The buyer, Willow Properties LLC. intends to build duplexes on the lot.

The Board will vote on whether to renew NSC Containers’ non-residential solid waste permit. The permit would be for 2 years with a 5% franchise fee.