Agenda Highlights 4/16/24

At the Fort Smith Board of Directors meeting scheduled for 4-16-24, the Board will vote on changes to the water rates for the next 2 years. The changes were discussed at the 4-9-24 study session meeting. The changes include rate increases, changing residential volume charges from a 3 tier to a 4 tier system, changing the commercial rate system back to one single commercial rate, charging separate rates for contract customers north and south of the Arkansas River, and charging retail customers outside of the city limits 1.5 times the regular Fort Smith rate. For the majority of residential users, the increase in the first year would be $5 per month or less. The rate increases for the first year are being proposed to generate enough revenue to cover the cost of the water department’s operating costs and debt service.

The Board will vote on whether to appropriate $250,000 to go to a program to assist people experiencing temporary financial hardship to pay their City utility (water, sewer, and solid waste) bills. The program would be administered by CSCDC under a services agreement. The City’s existing utility bill assistance program, Project Concern, is for people who are low-income on an ongoing basis, but the proposed program would be for people in temporary hardship situations.

The Board will vote on whether to purchase 18 acres near Massard Road from Cliff Cabaness for $2 million. Cabaness intended to build 40 duplexes on the property, but the noise from the Foreign Military Sales Project at the airport nearby will make the property unsuitable for the planned housing. The property is currently included in the area under the residential construction moratorium. The City would work with the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce to market the property for commercial development.

The Board will vote on permissions for 12 parking spaces in the right of way and the replacement of a deck that is in part of the sewer easement at 7301 Terry for Rival Commercial Real Estate.

The Board will vote on whether to contract with Hawkins-Weir for $998,780 for construction observation services for the Highway 45 utilities relocation project.

The Board will vote on action to set in motion the application for grants of up to $500,000 from Arkansas Recreational Trails Program and Arkansas Transportation Alternatives Program for Phase II of the Maybranch Greenway.

The Board will also vote on whether to contract with Halff Associates for $326,700 for engineering on Phase II of the Maybranch Greenway.