Highlights of the Fort Smith Board of Directors Meeting 9/9/25
At the Fort Smith Board of Directors study session meeting held 9-9-25 with Director Settle absent, the Board discussed entering into an agreement with the non-profit River Valley Film Society/ Border Town Live for a City funded Entertainment Fund that would make the City funding for attracting and promoting Broadway style shows and events at the Fort Smith Convention Center and Arcbest Performing Arts Center its own separate line item in the budget instead of a combined line with the operations for the Convention Center.
Border Town Live would handle publicity for the shows and also run the box office and ticketing. Border Town Live put on RESPECT Aretha Franklin Tribute show and Sesame Street Live shows at the convention center this past spring. Upcoming planned shows for 2025-2026 include national touring company productions of The Addams Family Musical, Elf The Musical, Dolly Parton’s Christmas Musical, Peter Pan, and Cat in the Hat. Single tickets would range from $20-35 student tickets to $25-45 for budget tickets to $50-75 for orchestra/mezzanine tickets to $80-120 for VIP tickets. These prices are modeled after prices for tickets to similar shows at comparable venues including Walton Arts Center, Little Rock’s Robinson Center, and Tulsa Performing Arts Center and for concerts and performances at local venues including the Fort Smith Symphony, Fort Smith Little Theater, Temple Live, and Majestic. Border Town Live’s Brandon Goldsmith said that the organization’s aim is for the shows to be "community focused” and “affordable.”
The plan is for Border Town Live to start out City funding assisted but transition over 3 years to being fully self-funded through ticket sales, subscriptions, sponsorships, grants, and donations. Goldsmith said that all profits from the shows will be put back into the Entertainment Fund and that he expects the first year to bring in $75,000, the second $125,000, and the third $200,000. He said that $200,000 will be enough and said of the previous $250,000 budget allocation “You can lower that to $200,000.” Director Christina Catsavis asked how much of the $250,000 was spent. Dingman answered about $50,000. Shannon Davis from OVG added later that she estimates it at $85,000.
Director Christina Catsavis asked about alternatives to Ticketmaster for ticketing. Goldsmith mentioned that the Fort Smith International Film Festival that the River Valley Film Society puts on uses a certain company and that Border Town Live would also be looking into the provider that the Fort Smith Symphony uses for their tickets. He mentioned that an added benefit to using the company that the Film Festival uses is that they are connected with the River Valley Democrat Gazette so events ticketed through them are automatically marketed some for free with the River Valley Democrat Gazette.
Abbie Cox with Border Town Live mentioned that they anticipate being eligible for multiple sponsorships and grants related to arts and education.
Director Martin asked what the difference is between having OVG that manages the convention center bring in and market shows and having Border Town Live do that. Goldsmith said that “The difference is community” and said that OVG is “not gonna work with the non-profits.” Director Martin voiced his “concerns about two entities” while “already paying for the convention center to do this kind of stuff.” He voiced his disapproval at the quality of the marketing that the convention center has been doing.
Goldsmith mentioned that the original intention was for OVG and Bordertown Live to work together but that there have been issues with the collaboration. OVG would not allow Border Town Live access to data including the contracts and PNL statements from the Border Town Live shows. Director Christina Catsavis asked about how that data can be private while the City funds the convention center. Dingman said that the City is OVG’s client so the City could ask for that data but that OVG does not have to provide it to a third party including Border Town Live. Director Christina Catsavis asked if the data was FOIA available. Dingman answered no. Director Christina Catsavis asked if the proposed agreement with Border Town Live would increase that sort of transparency. Dingman answered that it would, but that the information could also be provided if the City were to ask for it and to pass it on to Border Town Live. Director Kemp asked if there were still reimbursements that Border Town Live is waiting on from OVG. Goldsmith said that there were, including some reimbursement overdue from April. Director Kemp expressed his displeasure in “slow” reimbursements and voiced his view that local vendors should get reimbursed “in a timely manner.” Kemp said “I like the separate fund.” He supported the greater transparency that would come from the agreement and fund and easier accounting and invoicing. He expressed a desire to see numbers on how the shows impact restaurants and hotels to see the return on investment. Director Christina Catsavis mentioned that the Star Report that the Advertising and Promotions Commission looks at monitors that data for hotels. Goldsmith mentioned that the film society tracks those ROI data numbers for the film festival and that they are “super valuable.”
Director Martin voiced his concerns about the Girls Night Out show booked by OVG and put on by Border Town Live. Goldsmith said that that show was chosen by OVG. Director Martin said that that show didn’t fit in with the other shows and “didn’t fit with the City of Fort Smith” and said that that type of show should not be brought in in the future.
Director Good called the Aretha Franklin show “fantastic.” He mentioned potential benefits of using both OVG and Border Town Live being non-profit friendly and the “diversity of what you bring in.”
Director Kemp mentioned that the Board is prioritizing “between needs and wants” in budgeting but acknowledged that he ran for office on being a “town where there’s things to do.” He asked if Border Town Live could take on management of the convention center. Goldsmith said that they could not and that that would be “outside our realm.” Director Kemp voiced his agreement with Board Town Live’s focus on keeping the ticket prices affordable.
Director Christina Catsavis asked about corporate sponsorships. Abbie Cox said that they anticipate them and that they have “good relationships with corporate sponsors.” Director Christina Catsavis called the marketing for the Aretha Franklin show “good.” Goldsmith mentioned that Border Town Live puts effort into targeting each marketing strategy toward the specific audience for each show and utilizes all different forms of advertising including social media, tv, radio, influencers, and flyers. Director Christina Catsavis asked who would approve the shows. Goldsmith answered that it would be a committee with members from River Valley Film Society, OVG, and a representative from the City.
The Board discussed amendments to the contract with Oakview Group (OVG) for managing the convention center. The amendments requested by OVG were discussed previously at the 4-22-2025 meeting during the annual update from OVG. OVG would like to be allowed to offer off-site catering to any event. Currently, they are only allowed to cater off-site to events that are for a client that has an event booked at the convention center that same week. OVG would like for an Event Marketing Fund to be created like the one requested by Bordertown Live as a separate line item from the convention center’s operating fund. OVG would like their original contract with a 5 year initial term followed by 5 one year terms changed to have an initial term of 8 years followed by one 2 year term. This amendment is requested to make it easier for them to attract and retain high quality staff. OVG would like to implement paid parking around the convention center and potentially in the parking garage during ticketed events.
Shannon Davis with OVG said that the convention center has had a “very successful year so far.” She mentioned that by November she hopes to bring the Board 3 proposals for naming rights for the convention center that should bring in $3 million-$4 million in revenue over 10 years and also agreements for beverage pouring rights with either Coke or Pepsi, Titos vodka, Casamigos tequila, and a beer company and selling advertising on digital screens to be put up inside the facility. She said that she has “found any revenue opportunities I could possibly find.” Director Kemp praised those efforts to lower costs to the City for the convention center.
Director Kemp mentioned having received feedback opposed to the off-site catering. He asked if they cater off-site in other cities where OVG operates similar municipally funded facilities. Davis said that she is “not real sure” about other cities. She said that she has “contracts we could sign right now” for about $100,000 in sales for off-site catering with about 60-65% of that being profit. Director Kemp asked about planned revenues from parking. Davis clarified that they would only charge for parking for ticketed shows, not for conventions or community events, and that it is anticipated to bring in $3000 per show . Director George Catsavis asked how much parking would cost. Davis answered that it would be $10 per vehicle and said that that was “pretty much the going rate.” Director George Catsavis mentioned that parking at the fair is $5. Director Christina Catsavis spoke in favor of a simple parking system rather than a complicated or expensive one. Davis said that the plan would be simple paid parking “staffed with just bodies not equipment.”
Director Kemp asked if OVG would not partner with non-profits. Davis mentioned that the funds going into an Entertainment Fund directly would eliminate the “extremely messy” invoicing. Director Kemp requested a list of activity by type to show how often the convention center is booked. Davis agreed to provide it.
Director Christina Catsavis asked how many people the convention center can cater for. Davis answered up to 1500 in their main ballroom. Director Christina Catsavis acknowledged the idea that off-site catering might be seen as an “unfair advantage” but mentioned that in situations where she’s helped plan catering for big events that it has been hard to find caterers who can accommodate large numbers with it being hard to find catering for even 300-400 guests.
Director George Catsavis asked how the convention center concession stand is doing. Davis said that it is doing “really well” and mentioned successfully tailoring the menu to respond to each type of event (like healthier fare for dance competitions) and to better compete with the food trucks at the Bakery District.
Director Martin voiced his concerns about off-site catering creating an “unfair advantage” over other local caterers. Davis said the off-site catering would be based on “requests not solicitation” and that they are not going out competing against local businesses. Director Christina Catsavis mentioned possibly allowing for off-site catering only for events over a certain size. Director Kemp mentioned possibly allowing for off-site catering for events for customers with bookings at the convention center within the calendar year (instead of just the same week) or allowing off-site only with a minimum order.
Director Kemp asked if OVG was expanding sports events to be hosted at the convention center. Davis said that they are “out there look for any and all events” and “our calendar is very full.”
As the starting point for the 2026 budgeting cycle, the Board reviewed the budget requests and preliminary 2026 budget comparison summaries. This year, with a new zero-based budgeting approach being used, the new capital outlay requests will be included from the start of the cycle instead of separate from the base budget and considered for approval later than the base budget.
Chief Financial Officer Richards said that the City is on track to end 2025 at what the budget was amended to during the May budget cuts and have a 21-22% contingency reserve in the general fund. He called the budget requests submitted by the departments “fairly conservative” compared to the 2025 requests. He said that there is an about $5.2 million estimated deficit that would need to be made up to balance the budget.
Director Martin expressed his interest in prioritizing the general fund contingency balance not falling below the 20% threshold that would trigger required measures be taken including capital projects must halt, followed by budget cuts, and even lay offs if necessary to get back up to the 20% threshold. He said that the budget summaries presented are “not sustainable.” Richards agreed that they are “not sustainable.” He also expressed a desire to keep the general fund contingency reserve in the 25-30% range. Director Martin said that the Board needs to be “diligent in saying no” during the budgeting process. He noted that water and sewer sales volumes are down and asked if that was a result of the rate increases. Richards agreed that the volumes are down and that typically when rates go up people use less. Of the budget requests in general, Director Martin said “spending seems high in a lot of these.” Dingman emphasized that the requests are “our starting point” and said “Our goal is to present a balanced budget.” Director Martin reminded that in the past the “budget was presented to us” and that in the new system the board is more involved up front. He said “I like this approach a lot better.”
Director Kemp expressed his interest in “right-sizing” City staff to cut spending. Director Christina Catsavis asked if he was advocating for layoffs. He said that they could “reposition” some employees. Director Martin mentioned the data in the external audit appendices that show staffing by department over the last 10 years and recommended the other Directors look at that data. Director Kemp said that if there are not layoffs the Board will have to budget a deficit. Director Martin said that some staffing cuts could be made through attrition and not hiring for positions that have been vacant. Director Christina Catsavis mentioned that one of the reasons she advocated for switching to the zero-based budget system was in response to positions that have been open for over a year. She requested to see a budget that would eliminate positions that have been open for over a year.
Director Rego noted that while volumes for water and sewer use are down, the water and sewer revenues are still up because of the rate increases. Richards agreed that while the increased revenues are not as high as hoped because of the decreased volumes they are still “substantial.” Director Rego asked the last time the Board was presented with a balanced budget. Richards answered that at least for the general fund it was 5 or 6 years ago.
During the Citizens Forum section of the meeting, Kim Fodge spoke and praised the Neighborhood Services department calling them “one of the most professional group of people” and “helpful” and “knowledgeable.”
Noah Hanson, a professor and researcher at ACHE who has studied homelessness, praised the Police Department for their “compassion and professionalism” in dealing with homeless individuals. He mentioned that there is a misconception that providing services increases homelessness and that people travel great distances here to use the services. He said that the data does not show that but rather that people come here not intending to use the services. He said that the services can however make homelessness more visible. He said that solutions to the homelessness problems need to be local (not based on other cities), collaborative, and persistent.
Patrick Morris spoke and praised the Hope Campus. He mentioned his success in going from an addict who was ordered by the court to avail himself of the Hope Campus programs to a sober and successful employee of the campus for 2 years who has his own apartment and vehicle.
Dan Williams spoke about the school noise mitigation grant and said that he heard that the School Board had been told that they would not have to pay the required local contribution. Mayor McGill and several Directors assured that the School would be paying.
Chris Cadelli spoke and expressed concerns about where the funding would come from for the water infrastructure improvements discussed at the 8/26/25 meeting. He also mentioned that the money spent on the additional water slides for Parrot Island could have been better spent on the police fleet.
Bill Kencannon spoke about an alleyway in Cisterna Villa that was damaged by the weight of sanitation trucks using the alleyway. Dingman said that the platt for the neighborhood when Cisterna Villa was permitted specified the routes for solid waste collections requested by the developer and that the potential for that issue was already recognized and that the platt says that the City of Fort Smith will not be responsible for alleyway replacement because of damages from the weight of sanitation vehicles. Dingman recommended that the property owners association fix the asphalt. Director Christina Catsavis mentioned that this was not the first issue to do with the developer of Cisterna Villa (there was a previous issue regarding the widening of Massard) and asked why plans were allowed to go through that way. Planning Director Rice said that the alleyways are private access easements for rear access. The Unified Development Ordinance requires property owners associations for that type of subdivision developments to handle those types of private property infrastructure needs. She suggested potentially having garbage picked up in the front yards. Director George Catsavis asked if there could be a cost share solution like for the property owners association to buy the materials and the City to provide the labor. Dingman said that that could not be done because it is private property. Rice added that the City could do work on the alleyway if they acquired the property, but acknowledged that even if that was something that the City want to do the homeowners might not want the City to take ownership of part of their back yards. Director Christina Catsavis asked about possibly using smaller trucks for garbage collection in that area. Kencannon said that they were already using the lightest trucks.
Molly Echeveria spoke and expressed concerns about a homeless “hangout” with a makeshift shelter on Grand Avenue. She also voiced concerns that with Oklahoma banning all homeless encampments recently that the homeless people from Oklahoma might move to Fort Smith. Director Martin said that the City is trying to direct homeless individuals to services rather than encampments and said that he would send the location of the area that Echeveria mentioned to Neighborhood Services to be addressed.
Casey Wilson, Executive Director of Hope Campus, spoke and said that Hope Campus is “trying to change the mindset on homelessness.” He said that homeless individuals are “not bad people” but “just down on their luck without a safety net.” He also mentioned the lack of mental health care in our area contributing to the problem. He invited the Board and the public to visit an open house event held at the campus the first Tuesday of each month.
Krystal Cadelli spoke and expressed concerns about budget decisions being “emotional driven not logic driven.”
Richard Morris spoke and mentioned that the City’s website is not user friendly. He also praised the City staff and encouraged the Board to be thoughtful about using the City staff efficiently and not overburdening them.
Jo Elsken spoke and mentioned the need to include the department heads and “boots on the ground” in budgeting and mentioned the importance of collaboration in solving the budget problems.
