10/5/2026 Board of Directors - Regular Meeting

The City of Fort Smith Board of Directors’ regular meeting on October 5, 2026, approved an amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance requiring data center proposals in industrial districts to undergo Planning Commission review and Board approval, with an 8-foot opaque perimeter wall and 500-foot setbacks. The measure, including its emergency clause, passed 6–0. Residents raised concerns about water and electricity demand, infrastructure costs, noise, and safeguards; directors discussed potentially strengthening the standards, but no separate formal direction to revise the ordinance was recorded. The Board also approved the annual property-tax millage ordinances. A demolition ordinance for three unsafe properties passed, authorizing the purchasing agent to solicit closed bids; staff anticipated demolition and site clearance within 30 days after accepting the winning bid.

The consent agenda passed 6–0 and included acceptance of congressional and community project funds and agreements with the U.S. EPA for a Lake Fort Smith water-transmission-line section and HUD for neighborhood waterline improvements; staff noted the neighborhood project received $3 million with no local match. It also included authorization for an emergency contract with Dale Crampton Company for a lot-replacement project. Separately, the Board approved a $10,700 amendment with RJN Group, Inc. for professional engineering services on the B Street South sewer upgrades (Project 21-19-ED2), adding 115 days. A possible $20 million FY2027 federal request for utility relocation along Rogers Avenue was described as tentative and not yet secured.