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Good morning, Fort Smith! ☀️
January's chill has settled over the River Valley, but there's plenty of heat behind the scenes at City Hall this week. Whether you're mapping out your MLK Day plans or tracking what's next for that 111-acre ACME property, we've got your local pulse covered.
What to expect in today’s newsletter:
🚨 Faster 911 response is here Sebastian County completed emergency services consolidation two years ahead of deadline. All calls now route through one unified dispatch center.
🏗️ New engineering director arrives Monday Todd Mittge inherits a $33M infrastructure backlog, federal sewer mandates, and the ACME master planning process. His first 90 days will set the tone.
💰 November sales tax dipped 3% But don't panic: gross receipts show the strongest consumer spending since 2021. The city's $16.9M budget reduction plan remains on track.
🎭 MLK Week celebrations begin Sunday A full week of events honoring Dr. King, capped by the Downtown Parade on Tuesday, January 20.
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Your Neighbour
📰 Fort Smith News You Can Use
PUBLIC SAFETY
Fort Smith completes countywide 911 consolidation ahead of 2027 deadline
What this means: All Sebastian County emergency calls now route through one center with unified police, fire, and EMS dispatch faster response coordination across city lines
Fort Smith Police transferred communications operations to River Valley Communications Center this week, completing Sebastian County's emergency services consolidation two years ahead of the state-mandated 2027 deadline.
Here's what to know:
RVCC now handles all 911 calls for police, fire, and EMS across Sebastian County under director Wes Milam, a 20-year FSPD veteran
State law required Arkansas to consolidate from 114 to 79 emergency centers for improved response efficiency
Full countywide integration completes in 2027, streamlining dispatch for multi-jurisdiction incidents
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
New city engineering director starts Monday with $33M infrastructure backlog waiting
What this means: Todd Mittge brings 21 years managing major transportation and flood projects arrives as city tackles federal sewer mandates and 111-acre ACME property decisions
Fort Smith's new engineering director Todd Mittge begins Monday, January 5, bringing two decades of civil engineering experience from Washington State DOT and Paris, Texas municipal projects to oversee the city's infrastructure portfolio.
Here's what to know:
Mittge managed major bridge construction, paving, and flood response at Washington State DOT before serving as Paris, Texas city engineer
City recently completed $4.9M Old Greenwood Road sewer expansion (1,300 feet of 12-to-24-inch main) 3.7% under budget as part of 2014 federal consent decree requirements
Acting Administrator Jeff Dingman cited "plenty" of infrastructure projects awaiting the new director, including ACME Brick property master planning and ongoing drainage improvements
November sales tax revenue drops 3%, but holiday spending signals rebound
What this means: City's 1% sales tax collected $2.365M in November (down from $2.438M last year) though gross receipts show stronger consumer activity than previous three Novembers
Fort Smith's November 2025 sales tax revenue declined 3% year-over-year despite gross receipts showing the strongest November consumer spending since 2021, with increased rebates reducing final collections.
Here's what to know:
November gross receipts totaled $5.343M versus $5.142M in November 2024, but rebates lowered net city collections to $2.365M
Year-to-date revenue remains nearly flat at $27.011M (down just 0.03% from 2024), supporting the $16.9M budget reduction plan approved in December
Sebastian County's 1% tax (Fort Smith's share) collected $1.985M in November, down 1.4% and 2.5% below budget estimates
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Quick Updates
ACME Brick property master planning advances - City's 111-acre purchase at $2.288M moves toward January 14 study session with 100+ residents weighing flood mitigation versus recreation uses after public feedback website launch - Read more
Van Buren Dollar General sells for $2.13M - California investor purchases 6600 Alma Highway location near I-40/I-49 interchange through Boulder Group representing seller, reflecting strong demand for net-lease retail in secondary markets - Read more
📆 This Week in Fort Smith
Your insider guide to what matters most this week
Must-Attend Events
Martin Luther King Jr. Week Celebrations | Sunday-Saturday, Jan 18-24 | Various Locations | A week of powerful events honoring Dr. King's legacy, including the MLK Scholarship Banquet (Sunday, Jan 18), Ecumenical Service (Monday, Jan 19), MLK Day Breakfast & Downtown Parade (Tuesday, Jan 20), and educational programming throughout the week. | UAFS MLK Week
Candlelight: Tribute to Adele & The Beatles | Friday, Jan 16 | U.S. Marshals Museum | Experience stunning candlelit performances honoring music legends - Adele tribute at 6:30 PM and Beatles tribute at 8:30 PM in the iconic museum setting. | Fever Tickets
Medal Madness 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon | Saturday, Jan 17 | Fort Smith | Start your year strong with distances from 5K to half marathon through Fort Smith. Perfect for runners of all levels. | Running in the USA
Coffee & Connections with Cole Jester | Friday, Jan 9, 7:30 AM | UAFS Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center | Network with local business leaders and hear from featured speaker Cole Jester at this Chamber of Commerce breakfast event. | Fort Smith Chamber
Music & Entertainment
Queensryche | Saturday, Jan 24, 8:00 PM | Choctaw Casino Pocola | Rock legends Queensryche bring their iconic progressive metal sound to Pocola. | Choctaw Casinos
Tyler Farr: Quit Bein' Country Tour | Thursday, Feb 19, 7:00 PM | The Majestic Fort Smith | Country music star Tyler Farr brings his high-energy show to downtown Fort Smith. | Majestic Fort Smith
Pecos & The Rooftops | Friday, Feb 20, 7:00 PM | The Majestic Fort Smith | Texas country sensation bringing their authentic sound to the River Valley. | Majestic Fort Smith
Family-Friendly
RAM Saturdays | Every Saturday, 12:00-3:00 PM | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | Free drop-in art projects for all ages and skill levels. Supplies provided, no registration needed. | Fort Smith RAM
Fort Smith Farmers Market | Every Saturday, 8:00 AM-12:00 PM | Garrison Avenue (N 2nd & Garrison) | Fresh produce, baked goods, crafts, and live music. Over 90 vendors during peak season, with dedicated winter vendors. | Fort Smith Farmers Market
Community LEGO Club | Ongoing | Fort Smith Public Library | Free LEGO building for kids, tweens, and teens - supplies provided. | Fort Smith Library
Sports & Fitness
Weekly Yoga Classes | Ongoing | Multiple Studios (Seva, Yogaterrium, HOTWORX) | Various yoga styles and times available throughout Fort Smith, including heated yoga, aerial yoga, and free community classes. | Seva Yoga Studios
Greg Smith River Trail | Year-Round | Fort Smith Riverfront | 6.3-mile multi-use trail along the Arkansas River, perfect for walking, running, and cycling. Free access. | Fort Smith Parks
Arts & Culture
OLUWATOBI ADEWUMI: Journey to the Unknown | Through Sunday, Jan 11 | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | Final days to experience this powerful exhibition before it closes. Free admission. | Fort Smith RAM
KALEIDOSCOPE: Liz Whitney Quisgard | Through Sunday, Jan 11 | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | Closing soon - vibrant artwork celebrating color and creativity. Free admission. | Fort Smith RAM
Intermediate Acrylic Workshop | Thursday-Friday, Jan 22-23, 5:30-8:00 PM | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | Two-day workshop covering color mixing, composition, and hands-on painting. Ages 16+, $50 per student. | Fort Smith RAM
Education & Business
True Grit Running Company 10th Anniversary | Friday, Jan 9 | True Grit Running Company | Celebrate a decade of Fort Smith's first local running store and their commitment to the active community. | True Grit Running Co
Altitude Imagery Ribbon Cutting | Friday, Jan 9 | Altitude Imagery Location | Celebrate the grand opening of Altitude Imagery - Powered by Demi Barron Photography. | Fort Smith Chamber
Buckley Firm Ribbon Cutting | Tuesday, Jan 13 | Buckley Firm Location | Welcome a new business to the Fort Smith community. | Fort Smith Chamber
Quick Hits
Fort Smith Card Show - Free to attend, all ages welcome - Sunday, Jan 4, 5:00-9:00 PM at Fort Smith Brewing Company
Van Buren Business After Hours - Network with local business community - Wednesday, Jan 7 at Van Buren Chamber
Ozark Mountain Music Festival - Four-day music festival in nearby Eureka Springs - Thursday-Sunday, Jan 15-18
Pam Tillis Concert - Country legend performing live - Saturday, Feb 28, 8:00 PM at Choctaw Casino Pocola, tickets from $61
👋 UNTIL NEXT WEEK
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