Highlights of the Fort Smith Board of Directors Meeting 10/14/26

At the Fort Smith Board of Directors meeting held 10-14-25, the Board voted unanimously without discussion to annex 45 acres of land near Hwy 271 and Texas Road. The land is 9 residential and 11 non-residential properties. A public hearing was held on this issue at the 8-19-25 meeting and no citizens spoke on the issue. The Board also voted unanimously to zone the newly annexed land.

The Board voted unanimously without discussion in favor of zoning changes for 6001 Prairie Drive that will 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 voted unanimously without discussion in favor of zoning changes for 6210, 6220, 6212, 6230, and 6234 Massard for commercial buildings.

The Board voted unanimously without discussion in favor of 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 voted 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 approved at the 10-14-25 meeting has been changed so that now it will only be for up to 3 months and not to exceed $155,121.80 and also to specify the Streets and Drainage role.

Director Martin mentioned that one applicant for the position was interviewed this week and asked if there are more interviews scheduled. Interim City Administrator Dingman said that the one interviewed this week is the only one so far but that they are still continuing with recruitment efforts.

Director Kemp asked about the amount of notice required to end the loaned personnel agreement if a candidate is hired. Dingman said that 5 days notice is required.

The Board voted to enter the agreement with all but Director George Catsavis voting in favor of the agreement.

The Board voted unanimously in favor of 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 will be listed for $45,000. The property at 4401 Massard Road will be listed for $2 million. The property at 1400 Riverfront Drive will be listed for $70,000.

Krystal Cadelli spoke and expressed her support for selling the properties.

Director Kemp mentioned that the pavilion previously at Hope Park has now been relocated to Hope Campus and asked if the Hope Park property that now is just a vacant lot is on the list of properties to be sold. He suggested that it should be sold. Director Martin agreed that it should be on the list to be sold.

The Board voted unanimously without discussion 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 voted unanimously without discussion 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 voted unanimously without discussion 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 voted unanimously without discussion to accept a $691,636.36 federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant that has been awarded to the Fire Department. The grant will require a local contribution of $69,163.64. The Fire Department will use the money to purchase 73 self contained breathing apparatus units and 150 face pieces.