Highlights of the Fort Smith Board of Directors Meeting 10/21/25

At the Fort Smith Board of Directors meeting held 10-21-25 with Director Settle and Director Martin absent, the Board voted unanimously to renew contracts with four insurance companies to provide City employee insurance benefits. Everest Reinsurance Company’s renewal costs will go up 49% from $953,674 to $1,421,073. QCA Health Plan Inc.’s renewal costs will go up 3% from $351,160 to $361,750. Delta Dental’s renewal costs will go up 15% from $43,140 to $49,600. Mutual of Omaha’s renewal will include a 3 year free on premiums and a 20% decrease in long-term disability rates.

Director Rego voiced his displeasure that the costs are increasing significantly for the same product on a lot of things these days.

Director Kemp asked if other systems than self-insurance have been considered. Acting City Administrator Dingman said that evaluations are done each year to determine the best way to handle it. HR Director Garvin said that the broker “scoured the market” and that self-funded is “way better.” He said that part of the reasons for some of the increases include that there was a “very very large” claim of over 2 million dollars last year and also that because of the economy causing increased pharmacy prices pharmacy expenditures have been high.

The Board voted unanimously to purchase liquid chlorine for water treatment from Brenntag Southwest. This issue was discussed and tabled at the 9-2-25 meeting to allow for the standard bidding procedure to be conducted. Bids were solicited and only Brenntag submitted a bid.

Jo Elsken spoke to voice her concern for their only being one bid.

Utilities Director McAvoy said that in addition to the usual procedures for announcing that bids are being taken the City “personally contacted” 3 companies that sell the chemical and asked them to submit bids. Only Brenntag did.

The Board discussed contracting with Steve Beam Construction for construction of an enclosed solid waste vehicle wash bay. The contract for $1,649,700 would be for construction of the wash bay, equipment room, exterior wash, and associated utility improvements but would not include the washing equipment.

Director Rego motioned to table the issue until the Board could see more details on all of the bids submitted.

Lavon Morton spoke and while he said that the wash bay is “if we can afford it, a good idea” he advocated for tabling the issue to hear more details about all of the bids, about the engineering estimate, and about the cost of the washing equipment. He said the washing equipment “is gonna be expensive.”

Solid Waste Director McDonald mentioned that the funds for the wash bay would come from the Solid Waste sinking fund that comes from Solid Waste revenues. He said that in addition to the low bid (from Steve Beam Construction), 2 other bids were received with the highest bid being about $2.3 million and the other being in between the high and low bid.

McDonald said that the trucks are currently being washed outdoors by hand with a hose and brush. With that method it is hard to reach some parts of the truck. The wash bay would allow for the whole truck to be washed including the top and the undercarriage. This would help the trucks stay maintained and improve working conditions for the drivers and mechanics. The lifespan of the wash is expected to be 20-30 years.

Director Good mentioned that the wash would reduce the mud and trash being dragged by the trucks onto the neighborhood streets.

Director George Catsavis asked if the wash would be automatic. McDonald clarified that it would be no-touch automatic.

Director Kemp asked if prioritizing spending for the wash would cause other Solid Waste needs/projects/purchases to be delayed. McDonald assured that it would not.

DIrector George Catsavis asked for an estimate on the wash equipment that is to be bid on separately from the construction. McDonald answered $400,000-$500,000.

Director Christina Catsavis mentioned that Solid Waste revenues falling short of costs to provide the services and a study recommending rate increases were discussed at the 9-23-25 study session. She expressed her opposition to spending $2 million on a truck wash while talking about raising rates saying “This is why people hate government.”

The Board voted unanimously to table the issue to a future meeting.

The Board voted unanimously to make changes to the purchase of compressed natural gas used for Solid Waste Department vehicles including establishing a fuel swap with Clean Energy Renewable Fuels (CERF) in which the City will buy back some of the fuel produced at the landfill it sells to CERF and the City getting 5% of the market value of the Renewable Identification Numbers. RINs are traded on the open market and bought by fossil fuel producers who need renewable energy credits to meet EPA requirements. The CNG for the Solid Waste Department is currently all purchased directly from AOG. The changes will result in still paying the same price for CNG as buying it from AOG, but would yield $99,760 over 5 years from the RIN credit sharing.

During the Officials Forum section of the meeting, Director George Catsavis asked for an update on the water slides. Dingman said that on Friday the City received 2 bids for the construction, foundations, plumbing, electrical, and erecting needed to get the slides installed and up and running. One bid was for $3.2 million and the other was for $2.8 million. Of the $4.2 million approved and budgeted for the slide project, only $650,000 is still left. Of the gap between the remaining funds and the bids he said “That is our current problem.”

Director George Catsavis said “That’s unacceptable.” and “I’m ready to sell those slides, take our loss and be done with it.” Director Christina Catsavis agreed with selling the slides. She asked how the original estimate for the installation was so far off from the bids. Dingman said that he “can’t answer” that.

Director Kemp drew attention to the railroad crossing near the Zero Street Walmart. He said that the railroad did not do a good job fixing the road there. While he acknowledged that it may be outside of the City’s purview to address the situation, he would like to see it addressed and the railroad held accountable.

During the Executive Session, Director Kemp was appointed to the Advertising and Promotions Commission and Carl Nevin was appointed to the Fire Code Board of Appeals and Adjustments.