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Good morning, Fort Smith! ☀️
March is here, and this week might be the most consequential Board meeting of 2026 so far. Tuesday's agenda carries votes on the consent decree, the Parrot Island contract rescission, and the city administrator search — three decisions that directly affect your rates, your tax dollars, and who runs the city for the next decade. Meanwhile, $43 million in federal appropriations is working its way through Congress with Fort Smith's name on it.
What to expect in today’s newsletter:
💰 An $800 million sewer bill gets real — The Board votes Tuesday on extending the consent decree to 2038. Your rates are going up. Here's what the new terms actually look like.
🦜 Parrot Island goes to competitive bid — The no-bid waterslide contract gets rescinded, but the lawsuit isn't going anywhere yet.
🏗 $43M in federal funding targets Fort Smith — UAFS health center, I-49 construction, port expansion, and airport upgrades all in the pipeline.
🏀 GAC Basketball Championship hits Northside Arena — Free admission, four days of tournament basketball, food trucks, and a Bakery District Street Fest on Saturday.
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—Your Neighbour
📰 NEWS YOU CAN USE
GOVERNANCE
Board set to vote Tuesday on consent decree modification — extending sewer deadline to 2038
What this means: If approved March 3, Fort Smith gets 11.5 more years to fix its sewer system, but the estimated price tag has ballooned from $480 million to $800 million — and your rates will reflect it
The Fort Smith Board of Directors is expected to vote Tuesday on the long-anticipated modification of the federal consent decree governing the city's sewer system, following a study session on February 25.
Here's what to know:
The modification extends the compliance deadline from January 1, 2027 to June 30, 2038 and clears up to $25 million in potential penalties — but the estimated total cost has ballooned from $480 million to $800 million since the decree was filed in 2015
New terms give the city more flexibility: three-year scheduling averages instead of rigid annual quotas, and a "shot clock" requiring federal agencies to respond to disputes within set timeframes
AquaLaw attorney Paul Calamita told directors the city "desperately needs" to approve: "The extra 3.5 years really mattered...we were willing to stand our ground for it"
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
Parrot Island no-bid contract rescission vote also on Tuesday's agenda
What this means: The board is expected to formally undo the controversial Royal Ridge deal and open the waterslide project to competitive bids — but the lawsuit remains active
The Parrot Island waterslide saga reaches its next chapter Tuesday when the Board of Directors votes to rescind the January 20 ordinance that awarded Royal Ridge Construction a $1.059 million no-bid contract.
Here's what to know:
Director Lee Kemp — who originally worked directly with Royal Ridge — proposed the rescission himself during the February 17 meeting; once rescinded, the city issues a formal request for competitive bids
New timeline: bids reviewed by March 10, board vote on a new contractor by March 17, with the $2.689 million project split into two separately bid packages
Attorney Joey McCutchen's lawsuit alleging bidding violations remains active, and a separate $30K-$40K independent audit of waterpark finances is underway
POLITICS
Director Christina Catsavis announces run for Fort Smith mayor
What this means: The first candidate has entered the November 2026 mayoral race, promising "proactive" leadership focused on small business, senior citizens, and fiscal preparedness
Fort Smith City Director Christina Catsavis, 41, announced February 5 that she is running for mayor, making her the first declared candidate in the November 2026 election.
Here's what to know:
Catsavis, elected to the board in November 2022, owns The Smith Jewelry & Living and championed the accountability ordinance and the study session requirement for non-budgeted projects over $100,000
Her priorities: a regular small business council, a senior citizen internship program in the mayor's office, and fiscal preparedness — "There is nothing in the law that says the mayor only has to be ceremonial"
Mayor George McGill has not said whether he'll seek re-election; filing period runs July 29 through August 5, with the general election November 3, 2026
INFRASTRUCTURE
City moves to hire Florida search firm after 15 months without a permanent administrator
What this means: Fort Smith's $300+ million budget and 1,000+ employees have been managed by an interim administrator since December 2024 — a search firm could deliver a permanent hire by mid-July
The Board of Directors is expected to vote Tuesday to hire Colin Baenziger & Associates, a Daytona Beach Shores-based search firm, to find Fort Smith's next city administrator.
Here's what to know:
Former administrator Carl Geffken was fired December 10, 2024; Deputy Administrator Jeff Dingman has served as interim for 15+ months while in-house recruitment failed to attract qualified candidates
Colin Baenziger & Associates — the same firm that recruited Geffken — would conduct a national search starting with individual board member interviews; Director Kemp says a hire is possible by mid-July
The position oversees a $300+ million budget, 1,000+ employees, and a population of approximately 90,000
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
$43 million in Senate appropriations targets Fort Smith metro projects
What this means: Four major projects — from a UAFS health center to Interstate 49 construction — would receive federal funding if the package clears the House and gets a presidential signature
A package of U.S. Senate appropriations bills secured by Senator John Boozman would direct $43 million to Fort Smith metro projects across healthcare, transportation, and economic development.
Here's what to know:
The breakdown: UAFS health center ($15M), I-49 construction between Alma and Barling ($15.8M), Port of Fort Smith warehouse expansion ($8.1M), and airport equipment storage ($4.1M)
UAFS Chancellor Dr. Terisa Riley called the health center funding "a significant investment in medical education" — the facility will feature simulation labs for maternal and infant care training
The package still requires U.S. House approval and a presidential signature; Senator Boozman secured the funding as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee
Quick updates
Main Street Fort Smith gets $150K annual funding — Board approved 6-1 to fund the nonprofit focused on downtown revitalization, small business incubation, and design consultation services; multiple downtown stakeholders testified in favor - Read more
59-foot LED tourism sign coming to Garrison Avenue — Discover Fort Smith installing a $110,000 three-sided digital billboard at 524 Garrison Avenue by late March to promote local events and tourism; content managed via open-source software with dimming for nighttime - Read more
Water conservation rules and wholesale contracts under review — Board discussed tiered conservation phases based on reservoir levels and standardized wholesale agreements requiring customers to reduce water losses to 20% within five years; Van Buren accounts for nearly half of wholesale revenue ($51.74M from 2020-2025) - Read more
Director Neal Martin seeks third term — At-large Position 7 director, first elected 2018, announced his re-election bid; filing period opens July 29 - Read more
Court upholds firing of Fort Smith police officer — Judge ruled the officer violated discipline matrix by pointing his gun at another officer and discussing the investigation after being told not to - Read more
Free AARP Tax Preparation — Windsor Branch Library, through April 15 - Read more
THIS WEEK IN FORT SMITH
Must-Attend Events
GAC Basketball Championship | Thursday, March 5 - Sunday, March 8 | Northside Arena | The Great American Conference men's and women's basketball tournament returns to Fort Smith for a second consecutive year. Top eight teams in each bracket compete over four days with free admission, food trucks, and family activities. | Details
Bakery District Street Fest | Saturday, March 7, 11:00 AM | The Bakery District | Free all-ages community festival with food trucks, local vendors, live music, bounce houses for kids, and a live fish weigh-in. | Details
Mudbug Mayhem Crawfish Festival | Saturday, March 7 | Chaffee Crossing Historic District | Louisiana-style crawfish, live music, local vendors, and food trucks in the historic district. Family-friendly with activities for all ages. | Festival Info
Fort Smith Marathon, Half Marathon & 5-Leg Relay | Sunday, March 29, 7:00 AM | Riverfront Pavilion | Register by March 20 to guarantee your t-shirt size. Full marathon, half marathon, or relay options available. | Register
By Category
Music & Entertainment
TempleLive Fort Smith | Various Dates | TempleLive Fort Smith | March lineup features multiple performances in the historic downtown venue. Check calendar for upcoming shows. | Concert Schedule
Family-Friendly
Fort Smith Farmers Market | Every Saturday, 7:00 AM-12:00 PM | Garrison Avenue & N 2nd Street | Over 90 vendors with local produce, meats, flowers, baked goods, crafts, and live music. | Market Info
Bookish StoryTime | Every Saturday, 11:00 AM | The Bakery District | Free storytime and craft activities for kids of all ages. | Event Page
Storytime at Fort Smith Public Library | Weekly | Various Times | Multiple Locations | Free storytimes: Main Library (Thursdays 10 AM), Windsor Drive (Mondays 10 AM), Dallas Street (Wednesdays 10 AM), Miller Branch (Fridays 10 AM). | Library Events
Sports & Fitness
GAC Basketball Championship | Thursday-Sunday, March 5-8 | Northside Arena | Free admission. Men's and women's conference tournament basketball with food trucks and activities. | Details
Bags at The Bakery 708 Cornhole | Every Wednesday, 6:30-10:30 PM | The Bakery District Collection Room | Weekly cornhole competition with competitive, intermediate, and backyard divisions. Cash payouts. | League Info
Arts & Culture
Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | Ongoing | Tuesday-Saturday 10 AM-5 PM | 1601 Rogers Avenue | Current exhibitions with free admission. | Visit RAM
United States Marshals Museum | Tuesday-Saturday | 9:00 AM-4:00 PM | 789 Riverfront Drive | 235 years of law enforcement history through immersive exhibits. | Museum Info
Fort Smith Little Theatre | Various Dates | Downtown Fort Smith | Arkansas's first community theatre (founded 1947). Check schedule for March productions. | Theatre Info
Education & Business
Women in Healthcare Panel | Friday, March 6, 7:30 AM | University of Arkansas Fort Smith | Industry leaders discuss healthcare careers and networking opportunities. | Event Info
Foodie Friday - Outback Steakhouse | Friday, March 13 | Outback Steakhouse | Fort Smith Chamber networking lunch. No-host lunch with door prize drawings. | Chamber Events
Outdoor & Recreation
March Mountain Bike Madness | Begins Monday, March 2 | Statewide | Annual bracket competition featuring Arkansas's most popular trail systems. Vote for your favorites. | Mountain Bike Info
Lake Fort Smith State Park | Open Daily | 40 minutes north of Fort Smith | Hiking trails including access to the 165-mile Ozark Highlands Trail. Spring weather makes March ideal for outdoor adventures. | Park Info
Fort Smith Riverfront Trails | Year-Round | Daily | Scenic walking and biking trails along the Arkansas River. | Trail Info
Recurring Events
Fort Smith Farmers Market | Every Saturday | 7:00 AM-12:00 PM | Garrison Avenue & N 2nd Street | Weekly market with local vendors and fresh produce. | Market Info
Bookish StoryTime | Every Saturday | 11:00 AM | The Bakery District | Free storytime and craft for kids. | Weekly Details
Bags at The Bakery Cornhole | Every Wednesday | 6:30 PM | The Bakery District | Weekly cornhole league with multiple skill divisions and cash prizes. | League Schedule
Trivia Night | Every Monday | 6:30 PM | Core Public House | Weekly trivia competition in downtown Fort Smith with prizes. | Venue Info
Xtreme Music Bingo | Every Tuesday | Core Public House | Music-themed bingo with beer specials and prizes for winning teams. | Details
Quick Hits
GAC Basketball Championship — March 5-8 at Northside Arena, free admission | Details
Bakery District Street Fest — Saturday, March 7, free all-ages festival with food trucks, vendors, and live music | Details
Mudbug Mayhem Crawfish Festival — Saturday, March 7 at Chaffee Crossing | Info
Women in Healthcare Panel — Friday, March 6, 7:30 AM at UAFS | Event Info
Fort Smith Marathon, Half Marathon & 5 Leg Relay — Sunday, March 29 downtown — registration open now | Register
March Mountain Bike Madness — Vote for your favorite Arkansas trails starting Monday | Vote
Free AARP Tax Preparation — Windsor Branch Library, through April 15 | Library Events
👋 UNTIL NEXT WEEK
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