Fort Smith City Board Meeting: Police and Fire Annual Reports, Bass Reeves Loop Grant, and Senior Water Rate Discussion – June 9, 2026

This meeting featured presentations of the 2025 annual reports from the Fort Smith Police Department (FSPD) and the Fort Smith Fire Department (FSFD), an update on the Bass Reeves Legacy Loop grant, and a discussion on potential senior citizen water rate discounts. Board members also approved placing a study session on cemeteries on a future agenda.

Discussion Items

Fort Smith Police Department 2025 Annual Report

Chief Danny Baker presented the report, highlighting an 11.8% decrease in overall Group A crime from 2024, down 29.97% from the five-year average and 32.88% from the ten-year average. Violent crime declined 10.6% (compared to national drop of ~9.3%) and property crime dropped 13% (national ~12.4%). There were seven homicides in 2025 (one traffic-related), with arrests in six. Aggravated assault fell from 614 to 557 incidents. Sexual assault rose slightly from 145 to 148 incidents. The department created an Office of Professional Standards and an Office of Public Relations. Employee retention remains a challenge: 82.5% reported having a mentor, but only 59.5% expected to still be with FSPD in six months (vs. 75.2% national average). Chief Baker answered questions about technology, response times, shell casings, fentanyl deaths, sexual assault prevention strategies, DWI trends, animal control citations (451 issued), staffing (authorized 160, currently 154 vs. FBI-recommended ~190), and the cost of animal services (~$1.7–$1.8 million annually). Several board members thanked Chief Baker and his team, with Director Martin noting Officer Newman was expected to go home that week.

Fort Smith Fire Department 2025 Annual Report

Fire Chief (name not specified in transcript) presented the annual report. In 2025, FSFD responded to 16,000 incidents (mostly medical calls), including 141 building fires and 59 vehicle fires. Estimated property saved was over 92%. The department faced budget cuts leading to the elimination of seven uniform positions by closing Pumper 11, though three captain positions were moved to Rescue 1, making all companies staffed with captain, driver, and firefighter. The department hired 15 new firefighters but still had 4 vacancies. A new Records Management System (RMS) was implemented. Training included over 13,000 hours and an in-house fire academy. Apparatus costs and build times have increased dramatically (e.g., a heavy rescue now estimated at over $2 million with a 48-50 month build time). Starting pay is $43,700 (based on 2,912 hours/year) vs. Fayetteville’s over $52,000; the chief is working on pay increase options. Board members asked about ISO rating impact, morale after cuts, recruitment challenges (50% fail rate on physical agility test), and the feasibility of different vehicle types for medical calls. Director Settle suggested revisiting police and fire budgets. No votes were taken on the report.

Bass Reeves Legacy Loop – Grant Update and Revised Scope

Dr. Sarah Dewster, Director of Parks and Recreation, presented an update. The city was awarded a nearly $25 million federal RAISE/BUILD grant in January 2025 for the Bass Reeves Legacy Loop. After internal review, significant cost overruns were identified: original estimate was $24.7 million, but actual revised estimate topped $41 million due to unaccounted costs for utility relocations, railroad crossings (17 originally), environmental studies, and price escalation. A revised scope was developed using the same grant name but reducing the route from a loop to a north-south spine along Old Greenwood Road, eliminating all railroad crossings, cutting the tunnel under Rogers Avenue, and reducing total paved miles by 3.3. The new estimated cost is $29.3 million, with the city covering the $4.4 million shortfall from the existing parks 1/8-cent sales tax fund (which cannot be used for other purposes). Dr. Dewster requested board direction to proceed with procurement for professional services, stressing this does not commit the city to accepting the grant; formal acceptance will come later. Board members discussed risks of cost overruns, the “start it, finish it” clause, and concerns about the name (still “loop” despite not being a loop). Director George Katsavis expressed skepticism about cost escalation based on past projects, while Vice Mayor Rego supported moving forward to leverage federal dollars. Director Christina Katsavis asked about communication to the public regarding the name. Director Kemp suggested considering a “senior rate plan strategy” instead of a hard discount. The consensus was to allow Dr. Dewster to proceed with the procurement process, with understanding that further board approval is needed before final grant acceptance.

Senior Citizen Water Rate Freeze/Discount Discussion

Jeff Dingman presented two options for the board: a rate freeze for customers aged 65+ at 2026 levels (for base rate and first usage tier) or a 10% discount off the first usage tier. Either option would only take effect upon future rate adjustments and would have no immediate revenue impact. Board members debated the fairness of age-based discounts versus income-based assistance (existing Project Concern program, which serves about 200% of poverty level). Director Good questioned shifting costs to other ratepayers and noted that many seniors may not need the discount. Director Martin supported continuing to promote Project Concern. Director Kemp suggested developing a “senior rate plan strategy” to ensure future rate increases do not overburden seniors. No motion was made; the discussion will continue at a later meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Direction to proceed with revised Bass Reeves Legacy Loop scope: The board directed Dr. Dewster to begin the procurement process for professional services, with the understanding that final acceptance of the $24.7 million grant will come before the board later. (No formal vote recorded; consensus indicated.)
• Study session on cemeteries: A motion by Director (unclear which) to place a study session on cemetery maintenance on a future agenda was seconded and approved.
• No action on senior water rate discount: The discussion was tabled with no motion made.
• Withdrawal of motion on governmental change: A motion to place a resolution for formal change of government on the next agenda was withdrawn after noting the city attorney had not yet received an opinion from the Arkansas Attorney General's office.