River Valley Communications Council Meeting - November 21, 2025

The River Valley Communications Council convened to address the strategic direction of the PSAP consolidation project following the recent rejection of the Motorola equipment purchase by the Fort Smith Board of Directors. The meeting focused on pivoting from a permanent $10 million building and equipment plan to a temporary consolidation strategy at the Fort Smith Police Department to meet state legislative deadlines while avoiding immediate capital expenditures. Significant debate occurred regarding budget feasibility, the handling of EMS dispatch costs, and the potential need to amend the interlocal agreement.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The board unanimously approved the minutes from the previous meeting after the Chair clarified that the updated document included the name of the sole opposing vote (Chief Sizemore).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments or testimony were recorded from external members of the public.

Discussion Items

• Consolidation Strategy Pivot: Following the Fort Smith Board's rejection of the $10 million Motorola and building project, Council members discussed a plan to consolidate temporarily at the Fort Smith Police Department. The proposal was to achieve full consolidation by July 1, 2026, for a period of 2.5 years to meet state mandates before seeking a permanent location.
  • Proposal Support: The Chair and Chief Wes supported the move to temporarily locate the River Valley Communications Center (RVCC) at the Police Department, citing the need to comply with Arkansas state legislation (12 Del. Code 1210.323) without incurring immediate capital costs.
  • Budget Concerns: Several board members expressed strong opposition and caution regarding the 2026 budget, noting that the current net cost of approximately $1.8 million (after 911 fund revenue) appears to rely on shifting Sebastian County personnel costs that are not fully covered by the current 911 fund model. They argued that the budget presented was incomplete and that the board could not vote on consolidation without a finalized, approved budget that accounts for all costs, including EMS.
  • EMS Dispatch Dispute: A significant portion of the discussion centered on whether Southbound County EMS dispatch could be segregated from the consolidated PSAP. Chief Tim (Fort Smith EMS) emphasized that medical dispatch requires specific integration (EMD) and that separating it from the PSAP could isolate critical first responder communication, particularly in rural areas. He noted that Fort Smith EMS currently dispatches ambulance calls for the county and argued that the city cannot simply absorb these costs without a clear funding mechanism, as they receive no reimbursement from 911 funds for medical dispatch.
  • Statutory Feasibility: CJ Ingle (Arkansas 911 Board) confirmed that consolidating the PSAPs (Police and Fire dispatch) at the Police Department would technically meet statutory requirements, even if EMS dispatch remains separate temporarily. He noted that other jurisdictions often have private EMS entities dispatching separately. However, he indicated that requesting an exemption from consolidation legislation is unlikely to be successful.
  • Budget Rescission: Due to the changed circumstances and the lack of a finalized budget, the board moved to rescind the previously approved 2026 budget, noting that the prior budget was predicated on the now-cancelled building project and Motorola purchase.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to Halt Design: A motion to cease all design and engineering at 4501 Borough Road and remove the location from consideration passed unanimously with a vote of 9-0-0.
• Motion to Table Consolidation Vote: A motion to table the motion to set the July 1, 2026, consolidation date and locate the RVCC at the Fort Smith Police Department was passed 9-0-0. The board voted to wait until a finalized 2026 budget is presented before voting on the consolidation plan, citing concerns over the financial viability and incomplete cost breakdowns.
• Budget Rescission: The board unanimously (9-0-0) passed a motion to rescind the previously approved 2026 budget, effectively voiding the prior financial approval due to the change in consolidation strategy.
• Software Purchase Hold: The Chair announced the intention to withdraw the approval for the new CAD software purchase (approved on Nov 4) until a permanent solution is determined, ensuring funds are not committed to a system that may not be suited for the temporary arrangement.
• Future Actions:
  • The next meeting is rescheduled from December 30 to December 16, 2025, at 3:00 PM.
  • The Chair is tasked with presenting a revised 2026 budget that reflects the temporary consolidation model at the Police Department.
  • The board will begin discussions in January regarding the necessary amendments to the Interlocal Agreement between the County and the City to reflect the new temporary operating structure.
  • The Chair will utilize the $400,000 state reimbursement for consolidation costs to cover moving expenses and radio transfers rather than new capital projects.