Agenda Highlights 6/25/24

The main topic on the agenda at the Fort Smith Board of Directors study session meeting scheduled for 6/25/24 will be discussion regarding blight.

The discussion will include an update on the results of the increased funding allocations for the demolition and clean-up program. For enforcement of code violations (including things like overgrown lawns, trash, graffiti, inoperable vehicles, and open storage) property inspections this year are up 24%, warnings issued are up 24%, follow-up inspections are up 23%, and abatement is up 36%. Environmental Court saw a 14% increase in hearings and a 70% increase in compliance in 2024 versus 2023.

The Board will also hear about the land bank program the City of Little Rock has a part of the anti-blight efforts in that city.

The Board will hear about potential for using some Community Development Block Grant federal funds to address blight. There are ways allowed by the grants to use the funds for rehabilitation of substandard housing, acquisition of dilapidated property, preservation of buildings of historical significance, and demolition of structures in officially recognized blighted areas where at least 25% of properties in the area exhibit deterioration, abandonment, significant abnormally decreased property values, or environmental contamination.

Originally the agenda included a review and discussion of the third-party review of the Fort Smith Animal Haven audit conducted by Baker Tilly and presentation of the proposed design for the new animal shelter. However, due to the representatives from Baker Tilly and the animal shelter both being unavailable to attend on that date, those agenda items will be moved instead to the 7/16/24 study session meeting.