5/26/2026 Board of Directors - Study Sesison

The City of Fort Smith Board of Directors held a study session on May 26, 2026, focusing primarily on wastewater treatment services and infrastructure projects. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing a proposed agreement with the town of Arcoma for wholesale wastewater treatment at a rate of $3.60 per CCF, with a 3.5% annual increase through 2030. The board debated the fairness of this rate compared to Fort Smith residents' $9.05 per CCF rate, concerns about incentivizing Arcoma to develop its own system, and the handling of past due payments totaling approximately $141,000. The Choctaw Nation's water resources team is providing technical assistance to Arcoma for developing its wastewater system. Additionally, the board reviewed a proposed $8.575 million fixed-fee contract with Garver LLC for engineering services related to the Mazard Water Reclamation Facility Improvements, a major wastewater treatment plant upgrade estimated at $150 million. The contract includes detailed hourly schedules and involves subconsultants, with payments tied to milestones. The board also discussed employee injury leave policies, particularly for critical injuries such as those sustained by police officers, and expressed intent to revise policies to better support injured employees without requiring use of personal leave. Motions were made to place the engineering contract on the next meeting agenda and to further study the wastewater agreement with Arcoma.