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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Fort Smith CBID Board Meeting - September 6, 2026

Meeting Portal — Sunday, September 6, 2026

BodyFort Smith, Arkansas

SessionMeeting Portal

DateSunday, September 6, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 51:46

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:00

Well changed in 35.

0:02

We'll go and call the meeting to order uh the pack is in front of you.

0:09

Um we can go ahead and approve the minutes some moves.

0:17

Okay.

0:18

Uh first thing I'd like to do is to resign as chairman.

0:23

And uh my nominee Matt Holland uh to reserve that role, and I'd like to nominate uh Trent Govins is back up and co uh chair, whatever I think we like the word vice vice chair.

0:39

That way not to that's right.

0:42

I sack vice chair, okay.

0:44

So I can all those in favor say aye.

0:46

Uh see that seemed easy.

0:48

I mean that seems pretty easy, though.

0:51

Is it too easy?

0:52

I don't know.

0:56

Push back Jeff.

0:57

Can I show up at the next meeting and resign?

0:59

I mean, I guess it's that easy, right?

1:01

As long as I have somebody riding shotgun.

1:04

I'll ride shotgun with you, Matt.

1:06

I will say the reason for this is uh nothing more than the fact that I think uh new energy and new paper and new ways of doing things are essential in any organization.

1:18

Yeah, knowing what to step back is a good thing.

1:21

You know, I think I'm there and I just think that's appropriate.

1:25

Uh anyway, reconstituting the board, reconstitute with new uh commissioners at some point is vital and keep that up and make sure we keep the machine going and that's my motivation.

1:39

Okay, Germany.

1:44

I'm glad you can't.

1:45

See how easier that was?

1:46

Thanks for being here.

1:47

So now we have uh we had a row call or you already know that we didn't do anything.

1:53

We had a roll call or anything back in that yeah.

1:57

We've already done that.

1:58

I mean, we just noted who was absent.

1:59

Yeah, we're wearing a gun and then apparently partners would like to do the trigger in the absence of Sam.

2:09

Just review that you're gonna be studying money collected all of our funds from this October.

2:18

I'm sorry, what was the question?

2:20

Well you collected how much we collected on our funds from this October and we all collected on that uh year to date have we have collected 213,803.

2:36

And that was probably through October.

2:37

There's still maybe some left for collections that straggle land, but that was when property tax payments were due.

2:44

So that uh September, October usually are a big revenue months for for that collection.

2:52

But yeah, I'd anticipate that probably all of it that we should count on getting as in.

2:58

So I had a curiosity.

2:59

I know what happens when you don't pay your property taxes, but what if you don't pay this assessment?

3:04

This is this this is considered a property tax when it comes to enforcement like that.

3:09

Yes.

3:09

Okay.

3:10

So at some point a ling goes against it or yes.

3:14

Have there been any liens filed as a result of non-payment of the assessment of the license?

3:20

I mean, I don't know.

3:20

I mean, I don't know that we would have necessarily known that it was specifically not on payment of the assessment.

3:25

If there would have liens issued against properties that are subject to the assessment, and those are not paid, then that would just be a it would be just a lien, yes that we see in the paper.

3:34

Well, eventually, yes.

3:36

Yes.

3:37

So it's not cut up between property tax and assessment.

3:41

Right.

3:42

So the fund balance is cash on hand, right?

3:46

Yes.

3:47

The fund balance ended there at the bottom, 331 297.

3:59

But our obligations that we have committed annually.

4:04

There is short seats and I'll go over here.

4:09

So thanks, Matt Sam.

4:11

You're at that point, man.

4:19

I didn't drop mine.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Public Safety████████████████████20%

Infrastructure and Engineering██████████████14%

Parks and Recreation███████████11%

Financial Oversight████████8%

Homelessness████████8%

Public Engagement██████6%

Public Transportation██████6%

Economic Development█████5%

Procedural████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Fort Smith CBID Board Meeting - September 6, 2026

This was a regularly scheduled meeting of the Central Business Improvement District (CBID) Board. Key actions included a leadership transition, adoption of the riverfront gateway as the next major project, and reports from city departments and partner organizations.

Consent Calendar

Approved the minutes from the previous meeting.
Approved the treasurer's report as presented, noting year-to-date collections of $213,803, a fund balance of $331,297, and committed expenses of approximately $200,000 for personnel (ambassador and officer positions). Discretionary funds were estimated at roughly $150,000, with an additional $600/month from a lease and about $7,000 annually.

Public Comments & Testimony

Stephanie (representing an association) reported that 98 organizations participated in a holiday parade, and the downtown ball drop is fully funded.
A discussion arose regarding safety at the splash pad near the railroad tracks. A board member requested that the Parks Department install a fence to prevent children from running toward the tracks. Sarah (Parks Department) indicated the department lacks budget but could proceed if the CBID funds it. A motion was made to obtain a quote for a decorative fence, with a request to have it by the next meeting.

Discussion Items

Leadership Change: The chairman resigned, nominating Matt Holland as the new chair and Trent Govins as vice chair. The motion passed unanimously. The outgoing chairman stated the decision was made to bring "new energy" and "new ways of doing things."
Treasurer's Report Review: Staff clarified that the assessment is enforced as a property tax (liens can be filed). The fund balance reflects cash on hand, and most ongoing obligations (clean & green, ambassador program) are included in the 2026 budget.
Building Permits: A new tenant is opening a bar in the C&H building. Concern was raised about its proximity to a Catholic church, as state law prohibits bars within a certain distance. The board suggested verifying compliance before the lease is signed.
Parks Report (Sarah): The first public open house for the former Acme property was held with good turnout. RDG planning firm will present results to the Board of Directors on January 13, 2027 (study session) and to the Parks Commission on January 14, 2027.
Police Report (Corporal Sales): Reported an increase in thefts in November due to unattended materials from bridge construction; arrests were made. Graffiti incidents have dropped after deploying cameras and increased patrols. Panhandling issues remain, with arrests for aggressive behavior. The trolley museum is under new management and is being cleaned up with trespass enforcement. 520 parking meters were given away during a promotional event.
Main Street Fort Smith (Amanda): Announced hiring of Becca Duff as a full-time downtown growth and retention specialist, starting January 12, 2027. A community survey (1,200 respondents) will be shared with the CBID and city leadership; top desired activity was music performances. The CBID awarded $16,000 in matching grants to seven projects out of 12 applicants.
Joshua (Public Works/Parks?): The solar array canopy for the farmers market is delayed but will be completed by end of March 2027. Discussion included adding LED lighting underneath for security and aesthetics; staff will obtain cost estimates.
Project Selection for 2026: The board focused on two options from the MAHG list: the A Street project (estimated $525,000) and the riverfront gateway (estimated $165,000). After discussion, a motion was made and seconded to make the riverfront gateway the board's focus for 2026. The motion noted the project's visibility and affordability, with the understanding that final financial commitment will be determined after detailed planning. The motion passed unanimously. Staff will coordinate with engineering and streets departments to refine the scope and cost.
Stage/Amphitheater Enhancement: A quote for a smaller performance setup (PA system and basic lights) was estimated at $50,000–$75,000. The board expressed interest but did not vote; the riverfront gateway project is the immediate priority.

Key Outcomes

Unanimous approval of new board leadership: Matt Holland (Chair), Trent Govins (Vice Chair).
The riverfront gateway project (estimated $165,000) was selected as the CBID's next priority project for 2026/2027.
Staff will obtain quotes for a safety fence at the splash pad and for LED lighting under the farmers market canopy.
The next meeting is scheduled for January 15, 2027.

Meeting Transcript

Well changed in 35. We'll go and call the meeting to order uh the pack is in front of you. Um we can go ahead and approve the minutes some moves. Okay. Uh first thing I'd like to do is to resign as chairman. And uh my nominee Matt Holland uh to reserve that role, and I'd like to nominate uh Trent Govins is back up and co uh chair, whatever I think we like the word vice vice chair. That way not to that's right. I sack vice chair, okay. So I can all those in favor say aye. Uh see that seemed easy. I mean that seems pretty easy, though. Is it too easy? I don't know. Push back Jeff. Can I show up at the next meeting and resign? I mean, I guess it's that easy, right? As long as I have somebody riding shotgun. I'll ride shotgun with you, Matt. I will say the reason for this is uh nothing more than the fact that I think uh new energy and new paper and new ways of doing things are essential in any organization. Yeah, knowing what to step back is a good thing. You know, I think I'm there and I just think that's appropriate. Uh anyway, reconstituting the board, reconstitute with new uh commissioners at some point is vital and keep that up and make sure we keep the machine going and that's my motivation. Okay, Germany. I'm glad you can't. See how easier that was? Thanks for being here. So now we have uh we had a row call or you already know that we didn't do anything. We had a roll call or anything back in that yeah. We've already done that. I mean, we just noted who was absent. Yeah, we're wearing a gun and then apparently partners would like to do the trigger in the absence of Sam. Just review that you're gonna be studying money collected all of our funds from this October. I'm sorry, what was the question? Well you collected how much we collected on our funds from this October and we all collected on that uh year to date have we have collected 213,803. And that was probably through October. There's still maybe some left for collections that straggle land, but that was when property tax payments were due. So that uh September, October usually are a big revenue months for for that collection. But yeah, I'd anticipate that probably all of it that we should count on getting as in. So I had a curiosity. I know what happens when you don't pay your property taxes, but what if you don't pay this assessment? This is this this is considered a property tax when it comes to enforcement like that. Yes. Okay. So at some point a ling goes against it or yes. Have there been any liens filed as a result of non-payment of the assessment of the license? I mean, I don't know. I mean, I don't know that we would have necessarily known that it was specifically not on payment of the assessment. If there would have liens issued against properties that are subject to the assessment, and those are not paid, then that would just be a it would be just a lien, yes that we see in the paper. Well, eventually, yes. Yes.

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