Fort Smith Board of Directors Regular Meeting – August 19, 2026

Note: The agenda and transcript list the meeting as August 18, 2026, but the provided date is August 19, 2026; this summary uses the provided date.

The Fort Smith Board of Directors held a regular meeting on August 19, 2026, at the Blue Lion (101 North 2nd Street) beginning at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was televised live on YouTube and Facebook. Key actions included placing a ballot measure to change the form of government on the November 3, 2026 election, the defeat of an ordinance prohibiting relocation of unhoused individuals, approval of a $1 million financial assistance agreement for the Bailey Hill redevelopment (with a clawback provision), passage of consent decree and consent agenda items, and confirmation of Jeff Dingman as City Administrator.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of the August 4, 2026 regular meeting were approved.
• Consent Decree Items (4A–4D): Passed unanimously (7-0). Included engineering services agreements, partial payments, and temporary construction easement acquisitions related to sanitary sewer remedial measures.
• Consent Agenda (Items 5A–5K): Passed 6-0 with one abstention on Item 5D (Director Christina Catsavis abstained). The consent agenda included property conveyance to Raymond Fondren (5A), parking lot replacement at Miss Laura’s (5B), a time extension for Miss Laura’s siding project (5C), an engineering services amendment for drainage improvements (5D), a settlement agreement for easement acquisition (5E), adoption of the 2026 Water CIP Phase 2 (5F), setting a public hearing for street vacation (5G), purchase of a service truck for Transit (5H), an amendment to software agreement with CentralSquare (5I), fire department generator contract (5J), and a change order for Cisterna Park pumphouse (5K).

Public Comments & Testimony

Item 1 – Special Election on Form of Government: Numerous speakers expressed strong support for placing the measure on the November ballot. Dan Williams, Shane McKinney, Crystal Cadelli, Chris Cadelli, Jason Kerbitz, Joey McCutcheon, Janie Pugh, Eric Wideman, and Jeannie Carroll all urged the board to let citizens vote. One speaker (Steve Sharon) expressed opposition, arguing the board should not imply something is wrong with the current form of government. The petition organizers indicated willingness to withdraw their citizen petition if the board acted.

Item 2 – Ordinance Prohibiting Relocation of Unhoused Individuals: Most speakers opposed the ordinance. Sharon Chapman (Next Step Homeless Services) stated there is no evidence of widespread transportation of homeless into Fort Smith. Noah Hanson called the ordinance factually misguided. Greg Davis (Hope Shelter) argued it is based on misinformation. Casey Wilson (Hope Campus) provided data showing 8 out of 10 homeless served are from Fort Smith. Dakota Palmer supported the ordinance, claiming he has seen people dropped off. Several speakers suggested forming a task force to address homelessness more comprehensively.

Item 3 – Bailey Hill Redevelopment Funding: Speakers were divided. Lavon Morton and Andy Postrick supported the project. Crystal Cadelli and Chris Cadelli opposed, citing drainage needs elsewhere and lack of original documentation. Jason Kerbitz questioned transparency. Joey McCutcheon urged the board to honor its prior commitment. Casey Wilson noted that lack of housing increases homelessness.

Item 5K – Cisterna Park Pumphouse Change Order: Several speakers from the Darby Legacy Project and the Ranger community (Ashley Moss, Milo Mazur, Carolyn Speer) urged approval of the height reduction, arguing the pumphouse obstructs the General Darby statue. Jason Kerbitz and Shane McKinney criticized poor communication. Joey McCutcheon noted the lack of consultation with stakeholders.

Item 6 – City Administrator Appointment: Jason Kerbitz expressed frustration that the public had no input. Joey McCutcheon offered no comments beyond being present.

Discussion Items

Item 1 – Ordinance Calling Special Election on Form of Government: Director Jarred Rego moved to adopt the ordinance with suspension of the rules. Board discussion focused on the certified citizen petition (2,681 valid signatures) and the risk of legal challenges delaying the ballot. City Attorney Colby Rowe confirmed the citizen petition would proceed to the mayor’s proclamation, but if the board also passed an ordinance, the citizen petition could be withdrawn to avoid dueling ballot measures. After a failed motion to call the question (4-3), the board ultimately voted 7-0 to adopt the ordinance. The measure will appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot.

Item 2 – Ordinance Prohibiting Unauthorized Relocation of Unhoused Individuals: After public comments, Director Neal Martin made a motion to adopt the ordinance with suspension of the rules. There was no second; the motion died. The item was not brought to a vote.

Item 3 – Bailey Hill Financial Assistance (Resolution): The board discussed the $1 million commitment for street and drainage improvements. Director Kevin Settle moved to amend the resolution to include a 10-year clawback provision (forgiving $23,502.28 per lot in equal annual increments over 10 years). The amendment passed 6-0. The amended resolution then passed 4-2 (Directors George Catsavis and Neal Martin voted no; Christina Catsavis also voted no).

Item 5K – Cisterna Park Pumphouse Change Order: The board considered Change Order No. 1 with Goodwin & Goodwin, Inc. to reduce the pumphouse height by 20 inches at a cost of $55,208. The Parks and Recreation Commission had voted 5-1 to recommend against approval. After hearing public testimony and board discussion, the change order was included in the consent agenda, which passed. Director Kevin Settle expressed regret that the pumphouse had not been moved entirely.

Item 6 – Confirming Jeff Dingman as City Administrator: The resolution confirming Jeff Dingman as City Administrator and authorizing an at-will employment agreement was adopted 5-1 (Director George Catsavis opposed).

Other Board Discussion: Directors discussed forming a homelessness task force. Director Andre Good requested an update on pending lawsuits. The board agreed to place northside drainage issues on a future study session.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance for Special Election: Passed 7-0. The proposition to change from city administrator to mayor-council form of government will be on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
• Ordinance on Relocation of Unhoused: Died for lack of a second; not adopted.
• Bailey Hill Financial Assistance: Approved as amended (6-0 on amendment, 4-2 on final). The city will provide $1 million with a 10-year clawback provision to recover the investment if homes are sold early.
• Consent Decree Items (4A-4D): Approved 7-0.
• Consent Agenda: Approved 6-0 with one abstention (Director Christina Catsavis on Item 5D). Includes all routine approvals.
• City Administrator Appointment: Confirmed 5-1; Jeff Dingman formally appointed.
• Board Appointments: Terri Hardin appointed to Housing Assistance Board (term expiring April 30, 2028); Nancy Raney and Sandy Sanders reappointed to Parks and Recreation Commission (terms expiring August 31, 2031).
• Executive Session: Added to discuss a cybersecurity incident.
• Future Actions: Homelessness task force formation to be explored; northside drainage study session to be scheduled; water conservation continued due to plant outage.