Agenda Highlights 12/16/25

The Fort Smith Board of Directors meeting to be held 12/16/25 will begin with a study session meeting to discuss Broylman Memorial Group potentially taking ownership of and responsibility for Holy Cross, Forest Park, and Rose Lawn cemeteries currently owned by Fort Smith Cemeteries Inc. Fort Smith Cemeteries Inc has asked the City to take over the cemeteries because they cannot afford to operate and maintain them. This issue was discussed at the 12/9/25 meeting.

Broylman owns multiple cemeteries in multiple states including 8 in Arkansas. They took ownership of Woodlawn in Fort Smith in May. Their proposal includes paying Fort Smith Cemeteries Inc. $50,000 for the cemeteries and includes provisions assuring beginning with offering the same prices as offered at Woodlawn and then 4% increases annually for currently developed gardens, and continuing to offer free plots in the complimentary garden as is offered at Woodlawn. The agenda packet included a letter of recommendation for Broylman from Steve McDonald who was the former owner of 8 cemeteries acquired by Broylman in January 2025.

Following the study session portion, the regular meeting will begin with votes on the approval of the amended final 2025 Budget and the 2026 Operating Budget.

The 2026 operating budget is structurally balanced. It also includes contingency reserves in all 4 funds high enough to be above the 20% threshold required to allow for spending for capital projects. The general fund contingency reserve is 34.7% percent. The streets maintenance fund contingency reserve is 59.9%. The water and sewer operating fund contingency reserve is 37.5%. The solid waste fund contingency reserve is 36.9%.

The 2026 operating budget to be voted on at the 12-16-25 meeting includes reductions totalling $16,904,812 from the original version of the budget proposed and discussed at the November 17, 2025 budget hearing. 71 vacant staff positions will be eliminated. Some are part-time or seasonal, so the cuts would be the equivalent of cutting 61.15 full-time positions. Vacant positions to be cut include 8 police officers and 6 firefighters. There will be funding for step raises for uniformed police and fire personnel and 2.5% raises for all non-uniformed personnel. Hiring for 3 new positions (Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Audio Visual Specialist, and an additional Neighborhood Services Inspector) is included. Overall, there is a reduction of $4,226,365 for personnel costs.

There will be a $34,581 reduction in funding for Miss Laura’s Museum (leaving their total funding at $233,742) and the museum will be making efforts to secure non-profit organization funding for their future funding.

There will be no funding for animal spay/neuter vouchers.

The funding for the Convention Center will be reduced by $235,880 (leaving their total funding at $559,392). A naming rights sponsor for the facility has been found.

Based on discussions at the 11-10-25 meeting, no new 911 dispatch facility will be constructed and no new radio equipment will be purchased. Instead, the consolidated 911 facility will be temporarily located at the current Fort Smith Police Department location.

The Board will vote on entering into a contract with Francis Energy Charging for the installation, operation, and maintenance of electric vehicle chargers. The chargers will be dual port Level 2 and DC fast chargers. They will be located at City owned properties including the Main Library, West End Park, the Convention Center, Riverfront Park, John Bell Jr. Park, the Senior Activity Center, and the Miller Branch Library. The total cost of the project will be $3,250,000 but it will be paid for entirely by funds from the federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grant.

The Board will vote on whether or not to lease the County’s half of Parrot Island waterpark for $1 per year, resulting in the City having sole control over and responsibility and liability for the park. This issue was discussed and tabled at the 8-6-24 meeting, 8-20-24 meeting, 9-3-24 meeting, and 11-19-24 meeting.

The Board will vote on a one-year extension for the contract agreement with American Resort Management for the management of Parrot Island waterpark.

The Board will vote on accepting bids from APAC-Arkhola, Mid Continent Concrete, River Valley Quarries, and Emery Sapp for aggregate, sand, concrete, and asphalt products.