Fort Smith Board of Directors Meeting – March 17, 2026
Fort Smith Board of Directors Meeting – March 17, 2026
The Fort Smith Board of Directors met on March 17, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. (the meeting was called to order and lasted several hours). The board considered a mosquito fogging resolution, contracts for water slides at Parrot Island Water Park, a management agreement with American Resort Management (ARM), a water capital improvement plan, sanitary sewer assessment agreements, and a consent agenda. Public comment was heard on several items. Votes were taken on all agenda items.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously (7-0) a consent agenda containing six items:
- Resolution authorizing an MOU with Methodist Village regarding the 2025 TAP grant project.
- Resolution accepting award of the 2025 TAP grant funds for the Methodist Village Connector Trail.
- Resolution approving purchase of two one-ton trucks for public works from the replacement fund.
- Resolution approving a contract for Creekmoor Park Tennis Court Resurfacing Project.
- Resolution approving a contract for the Cisterna Park pump house improvement project.
- Resolution approving the purchase of 17 police patrol vehicles for the police department from sales and use tax funds.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 1 (Mosquito Fogging): Nancy Rainey (8108 Adam Drive) opposed citywide permethrin spraying, citing harm to pollinators, birds, and natural mosquito predators, and advocated for integrated pest management. Kim Fodge supported spraying only public parks and not private properties. Gary Podgerski favored targeted spraying near rivers and water areas, not the entire city.
- Items 3A & 3B (Water Slides): Multiple speakers opposed the project. Kim Fodge argued the city should not take full ownership until a county agreement is passed. Joey McCutcheon criticized the lack of competitive bidding initially and questioned transparency. Dan Williams cited cost overruns from $2.1M to over $7M and urged the board to stop. Shane McKinney called for trust and transparency, suggesting the city cut its losses. Gary Podgerski asked Director Settle about public contact numbers and requested a motion to halt payments until an audit is complete.
- Item 4 (Management Agreement with ARM): Kim Fodge requested that ARM management be required to attend monthly board meetings and provide financial reports. Carl Nevin agreed with her and suggested hiring a different company. Joey McCutcheon questioned why the board would approve a contract before an audit was complete. Dan Williams argued that proceeding without the audit was a mistake. Gary Podgerski asked Director Christina Kasavish to make motions to withhold payment until ARM attends a meeting and to delay the vote for 60 days until the audit is returned.
- Item 9D (Tennis Court Resurfacing): Joey McCutcheon criticized the city’s local bidding preference ordinance, which added $60,000 to the cost, and asked the board to consider changing the language from “shall” to “may” to allow flexibility.
Discussion Items
- Item 1 – Resolution Reinstituting Mosquito Fogging: The board discussed the pros and cons of reinstating the program, which was discontinued in 2025 for budgetary reasons. Director Good noted concerns about killing beneficial insects and mentioned the city had installed bat houses as an alternative. Director DeSavage suggested targeted, complaint-driven spraying. Director Rigo acknowledged split community feedback (approximately 55-45) and questioned whether stopping spraying had measurably improved pollinator populations. Director Martin opposed due to lack of data on effectiveness, budget concerns (the city is already negative in 2026), and threats made to drivers. Director Kemp suggested using GIS mapping to identify low-lying areas for targeted larvicide and supported a focused approach rather than blanket spraying. A motion to amend the resolution to focus on public parks, main waterways, and include an opt-in option for residents passed 6-1. The amended resolution then passed 6-1.
- Items 3A & 3B – Water Slide Contracts (SSI Inc. and Clarity Pools): The board debated the combined $2,416,110 project for Parrot Island Water Park. Director Kasavish voted no, citing Fayetteville’s new aquatics facility that could reduce attendance, and the county not sharing the slide cost despite being 50% owner. Director DeSavage called the project a “cluster” and maintained his opposition. Director Kemp supported the competitive bidding process and noted that the other finalist said not to change operators for the 2026 season. Director Settle emphasized the need to move forward and not fall behind other communities. The motion to approve both contracts passed 4-3.
- Item 4 – Resolution Authorizing Agreement with ARM for 2026 Season: The board discussed the management contract. Director Kasavish moved to delay the vote for 60 days until the audit is complete, but that motion was not seconded. Director DeSavage moved to withhold payments to ARM until the audit is finished, but after legal advice that the city, county, and ARM would all have to agree, he withdrew the motion. Director Rigo argued that the other finalist recommended not switching operators mid-season, and that keeping ARM for 2026 would avoid disruption. Director Settle defended ARM, noting their national reputation and the county’s decision to keep them. The original resolution passed 5-2.
- Item 5 – Water Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for FY2026: The board approved a $5.2 million plan for four water projects: I-540 water line crossing, Midland Bridge transmission line, Racetrack Road water line improvements, and I-49/Highway 22 transmission line encasement. Director Martin questioned the funding source and was told it comes from state highway reimbursements. The resolution passed 7-0.
- Item 7 – Engineering Services Agreement (Truck Design Group) for SSA Work in Subbasins P006 and P005: The board approved a $766,000 contract for sanitary sewer assessment work. Director Martin asked if other areas needed similar assessments; staff explained this area’s data is 12 years old and will need to be updated regardless. Director Kasavish expressed concern about the consent decree scope expanding. Director Settle requested a calendar of future SSA needs to potentially bundle contracts for better pricing. The resolution passed 7-0.
- Item 8 – Engineering Services Agreement (RJN Group) for B Street South Sewer Upgrades: Approved unanimously (7-0) for $99,960.
- Officials Forum: Director Good announced a request to approve a resolution continuing support for the Levitt AMP music series grant ($20,000) and asked for it to be placed on the April 7 regular meeting agenda. Director Kemp updated on the city administrator search: Colin Benzinger & Associates will visit Fort Smith on March 29-30 for individual interviews with directors and department heads. Director Kasavish moved to hold a study session to discuss the petition to change the form of government and to change the citizens forum rule that limits public comments to non-agenda items. Both motions were seconded. The board also approved a motion to call a special meeting on March 31, 2026, at 6 p.m. to discuss congressionally directed spending applications.
Key Outcomes
- Mosquito Fogging: Resolution amended to focus on public parks, waterways, and opt-in for residents; passed 6-1.
- Water Slides: Contracts with SSI Inc. ($1,751,910) and Clarity Pools ($664,200) approved 4-3.
- ARM Management Agreement: Approved for 2026 season 5-2.
- Water CIP: Approved 7-0.
- SSA Engineering Agreement: Approved 7-0.
- B Street Sewer Engineering: Approved 7-0.
- Consent Agenda: Approved 7-0.
- Special Meeting: Called for March 31, 2026, at 6 p.m. to discuss CDS applications.
- Future Items: A study session on the petition to change the form of government and on citizens forum rules will be scheduled.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. Good evening and welcome to the city of Force Ridge Board of Directors meeting on this March seventeenth of twenty twenty-six. These meetings are being televised live for the benefit of residents who cannot be with us in person. At this time, I'm going to ask uh Director Neil Martin, would you do the invocation for us? And Director uh Christina Kasavish, would you leave us in a pledge? Let's pray. Father, thank you for the opportunity to be here tonight to make decisions for the city of Fort Smith. Lord, we always ask for wisdom and guidance from you, Lord. I pray that you would um impart uh intellect and and um correct information into our brains, Lord, so we can make decisions that will move our city forward. Lord, I pray that you be those that come and speak before the board. Lord, we pray for wisdom for them. We pray for um courage. And Lord, we just we're thankful for all that you do for us each and every day. And Lord, we're we're thankful for your son who uh who died on the cross for our sins, Father. We love you, we thank you. We ask these things in your name. Amen. And to the Republic for which stands one nation under God and the visible with liberty and justice for all. Okay, thank you. Uh that have any item of business not already on the agenda for this meeting for this meeting. Okay. Seeing none, we'll ask for approval of the March third regular minute. So moved second. Thank you. All in favor. Thank you. As a reminder, a motion and second to adopt each of the following items must be offered before director's comments are made. Also, public comments on items must pertain to the presented item. This time we will go to the first item on the agenda. Thank you, Mayor. The first item tonight is a resolution reinstating mosquito fogging operations by the public works department. This topic was discussed at the February 24th study session, and the board placed a resolution on this evening's agenda for consideration. The city performed mosquito spraying for many years but discontinued the program in 2025 due to budgetary considerations. There has been discussion on both sides of this issue the past few years. Some residents favor the program for control of nuisance and potential disease carrying mosquitoes, while others contend that the chemicals used have detrimental effects on residents, pets, pollinators, and other beneficial insects or the environment in general. Board members have recently received feedback from residents opposing discontinuing the program, which has led to this consideration. Okay, thank you very much. Are they any citizens' comments, Madam Clerk? Yes, we do have two that have signed in. The first being Nancy Rainey. And then she has also provided some information that I'm passing out. Okay, Ms. Rainey, you're recognized. Nancy Rainey, 8108, Adam Drive, Fort Smith, 72903. Good evening, and thank you for giving me time to talk about item number one on the agenda, citywide permethrin spraying. As we head into spring and summer, our city will face rising complaints about mosquitoes because of concerns about mosquito porn illnesses. While the goal of reducing mosquito populations is understandable, the blanket approach of using this insecticide carries significant unintended consequences for our local environment and public health. This includes essential pollinators like bees and butterflies, as well as the natural predators of mosquitoes such as dragonflies and damselflies. By killing these predators, we risk creating a rebound effect where mosquito populations actually surge once the chemical wears off because their natural checks and balances have been wiped out. It also impacts bird populations that rely on insects as their primary food source, particularly during nesting season when birds might use permethrin uh coated nesting materials, which causes weak eggs and bird illnesses.
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