Fort Smith Board Special Meeting and Study Session - April 1, 2026
Fort Smith Board of Directors Special Meeting and Study Session - April 1, 2026
The Fort Smith Board of Directors held a combined special meeting and study session on April 1, 2026. The board added two items to the agenda, approved two congressional directed spending (CDS) requests for water infrastructure, approved a third CDS request for 911 radio equipment, debated a letter to the state legislature regarding hospital closure notice, and received updates on the 911 PSAP consolidation project and a proposed police precinct and training facility.
Consent Calendar
- No consent calendar; all items received individual discussion.
Special Meeting: Agenda Additions
- Director Christina Kitsavis introduced a letter requesting the Arkansas General Assembly require hospitals to provide at least 180 days' public notice before closing major service lines. The item was added unanimously.
- Director Martin Kemp introduced a request for congressional spending for 911 radio equipment. This item was also added unanimously.
Congressional Directed Spending for Water Infrastructure (Items 1 & 2)
- Item 1: Resolution authorizing application for $12 million in FY27 CDS funds for phase 2A1.2 of the Lake Fort Smith water transmission line. Chris Hoover reported the city secured a $3 million waiver on the required local match. Passed 7-0.
- Item 2: Resolution authorizing application for $20 million in FY27 CDS funds for water and sewer utility relocation ahead of the RDOT Rogers Avenue widening project (from Waldrin Avenue to 74th Street). Total project cost estimated at $40 million, with $20 million from the city. Passed 7-0.
Discussion and Vote on 911 Radio Equipment Funding (Item 3)
- Resolution authorized a FY27 CDS request to Senator Bozeman's office for $3 million to replace aging radio consoles and equipment at the River Valley Communications Center (RVCC). The equipment has a 7-10 year life and is 19 years old; support ends in 2030. Some board members expressed concern about prioritizing against water projects, but a resolution was drafted on-site and approved 6-1 (Christina Kitsavis opposed). Match of up to 25% from RVCC fund 1112 possible.
Discussion on Hospital Notice Letter (Item 4)
- Director Christina Kitsavis presented a letter urging the Arkansas General Assembly to require hospitals to provide 180 days' notice before closing major service lines (e.g., labor and delivery, emergency services). She noted 120 days is typical in other states. Discussion included concerns about private market impact, potential investor perception, and the need to first consult with state legislators. Director George Kitsavis proposed tabling until a study session with local legislative delegation. Motion to table passed 5-2 (Christina and George Kitsavis opposed).
Study Session: 911 PSAP Consolidation Update
- Dr. Wes Milan, Director of Public Safety Communications, provided an update on consolidating the two public safety answering points (PSAPs) into the River Valley Communications Center. The temporary consolidated center at the police department is set to begin July 6, 2026. He highlighted criticality of replacing radio consolettes (six currently, one non-operational) and the need for a permanent facility. A resolution for $272,000 to move three consoles from Sebastian County and replace four consolettes will be on the April 7 regular meeting agenda.
Study Session: Police Precinct and Training Facility
- Chief Danny Baker and architect Travis Bartlett (MAHG) presented three design options for the Crane Kia property (8200 Highway 71 South) purchased for $2.85 million in 2024. Options ranged from $7.7 million (option 3) to $13 million (option 1). Chief outlined three paths: A) sell property (potential $2.85M sale but risk of $650K naming rights lawsuit); B) fully fund now; C) create a capital improvement fund with surplus general fund dollars and launch a capital campaign. Board consensus was not to sell and to reconvene in late July or early August for a financial plan including potential fundraising and debt financing. Further discussion on impact of Choctaw Nation expansion and regional training economic benefits.
Key Outcomes
- Approved CDS applications for water infrastructure (unanimous) and 911 radio equipment (6-1).
- Tabled hospital notice letter to a future study session with legislative delegation (5-2).
- Directed staff to bring back detailed financial options for police precinct/training facility in late July or early August.
- Reviewed preliminary agenda for the April 7 regular meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Well good evening and welcome to the fourth Mississippi Board of Directors meeting. We're gonna have a combination of a special meeting and a study session. Um this March 31st of 2026. Keep in mind these meetings are being televised live. Um at this time uh we're gonna ask the clerk to please call the roll for the special meeting. Directors Rego Good Kemp here George Kitsavis, Christina Kitsavis here, settled here, Martin Kemp, or I'm sorry, Rego. Okay, thank you very much. This time I'll ask that there's any presentation by a member of the board or directors of any item of business not already on the agenda for this meeting. Yep. You recognize thank you. Um tonight I'm bringing forward something that I believe gets at the heart of what our responsibility is as leaders, and that is protecting the people we serve when it matters most. Over the last several days, we've all seen first hand what happens when major health care decisions are made without notice. Health care is as fundamental to community as water, public safety, or infrastructure, and when access to that care is suddenly taken away, the consequences are real and they are immediate. What I'm introducing tonight is a letter that asks the Arkansas General Assembly to put in place a requirement that hospitals provide at least 180 days public notice before shutting down major service lines like labor and delivery, emergency services, or other critical care departments. This does not tell hospitals what decisions they can or cannot make. It simply ensures that when those decisions are made, communities are not blindsided. If adopted, this would be some of the strongest legislation in the country on this issue. 120 days is what's typical right now in other states. It would put Arkansas at the forefront of protecting patients, families, and local communities from sudden disruptions in care. Because bringing a child into this world is hard enough. Facing a medical emergency is hard enough. We should not be making those moments harder by failing to plan, communicate, and prepare. This is about giving people time, time for patients to adjust, time for providers to coordinate care, time for communities to respond responsibly instead of react in crisis. And it's also about respect. Respect for the people who rely on these services every single day. I'm proud to bring this forward, and I hope we can stand together and sending a clear message that Fort Smith expects better and that our residents deserve better. And I've included a copy for everyone. If we need to um make any adjustments, add or subtract anything, I would certainly welcome your comments. Um I'd love to have your signatures on it. Okay, thank you very much. Thank you. Mayor, I did have another point as well. Point of order for business. Thank you, sir. Um I'd like to make a motion for consideration for an additional request for congressional spending. When we talked about the 911 center uh with Dr. Mylam, I mentioned is there any opportunity for congressional spending for the radios and the towers, uh, the microwaves, the antennas, the things that we're gonna we know we will have to buy. Um that's not optional, like it's gonna be a a need, not a want. Um and at the time we did indicate that there was, and if we don't take action to that this year, then we are looking at requesting in 27 for fiscal year 28, and I think it would be good and worthy to consider at least a discussion tonight of a third request for the 911 services radio towers. I know Dr. Mylan could speak more to that. Perhaps maybe even Chris Hoover could come or things of that nature. I'd like to see if we could place that on the T the item tonight. Okay, thank you. Any other item need to be added? I think that requires a vote, Mayor. Okay, they they both do uh on the first item. We we do need uh a second and a vote to add that item onto the agenda requires all seven to concur. Okay, on on the first item introduced by director Savis. Do we get a second?
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