5/19/2026 - Board of Directors Regular Meeting

The City of Fort Smith Board of Directors held a regular meeting on May 19, 2026, with significant discussion focused on a citizen-led petition to change the city's form of government from a city administrator to a strong mayor system. The board debated whether to place the issue on the November 2026 ballot or delay it until 2027, with public speakers and board members expressing strong opinions on both sides. The board ultimately voted on two ordinances related to setting a special election for this change, but neither ordinance passed, leaving the citizen petition process as the path forward. Additionally, the board approved several procurement-related items, including a $6.85 million construction contract with Inliner Solutions LLC for sewer line repairs, a $587,600 contract with Hawkins Weir Engineers for construction observation, and an $8.575 million fixed-fee contract with Garver LLC for engineering design and administration services for wastewater treatment plant improvements. The meeting also included discussions on budget transparency, infrastructure priorities, and the ongoing city administrator search, with an emphasis on compliance with a state consent decree for wastewater treatment upgrades.