7/7/2026 - Board of Directors Regular Meeting

The City of Fort Smith Board of Directors held a regular meeting on July 7, 2026, with significant public engagement focused on a proposed change to the city's form of government. The board discussed and ultimately voted to place an ordinance on the November 2026 ballot allowing citizens to decide on switching from a city administrator form to a mayor-council system. This decision followed extensive citizen comments and petitions advocating for increased direct voter control and accountability. Additionally, the board approved several zoning ordinances, a 5-year consolidated community development plan involving block grant funding, and authorized easements and payments related to ongoing infrastructure projects, including consent decree water and sewer improvements. A notable procurement action included approving a partial payment exceeding $750,000 to Inliner Solutions LLC for construction progress. The board also authorized a counteroffer to Union Pacific Railroad for property acquisition tied to capacity improvements. Other procurement-related approvals involved waste hauler permits, a public safety dispatch software agreement with Central Square Technologies, and fire apparatus refurbishment contracts. The meeting concluded with updates on the foreign military pilot training program and the consolidation of the River Valley Communications Center.