[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6650969,"mediaKeyId","2501536-154793751c6bc7afb950b6ed9d06f277","parentId",2501536,"title","Board tables Mazard Road design amendment, approves water‑park slide installation despite public questions","audioSeconds",1204,"startMs",5804000,"endMs",7008000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2501536-154793751c6bc7afb950b6ed9d06f277&start=5804&end=7008","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2501536-154793751c6bc7afb950b6ed9d06f277/thumbnail_5804000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6650969/Fort-Smith/Sebastian-County/Arkansas/Board-tables-Mazard-Road-design-amendment-approves-waterpark-slide-installation-despite-public-questions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650969-6d50cbdd13e6fffdbe655cb90bf89687/orig.mp4?Expires=1771059742&Signature=DOHMSg4Wgr4D6Rxw945~yQxDSvQlhl2IxPerGWRROs0NqohSXF0J44KA0HUssUnaYGbRYIXI-d72LSPARyvrx6rezyrjFFpDsa~BG5wFocFZC5svCjQgR-Wc9czhDEpsnJHyWuikQxOH0lkVUl1-c2vs25EWBiCnEORxaDe9EOdc9rThH4~ktfuTIdH3ZTA2A9RujrQ~70G~iVp0OR-Wrybc7PJRnGRnIuKmzVbO9gwpgSDVVJB2oS5FJy3~oCbzm8ps4MIgqArgFi1qwZjvVBRfaqy6M448t0iIy8CnJ0zHyAsnZPjOK4VTkcKjIBQbetT45UqF6yE~oZ5E8m-e5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Fort Smith","date","2025-03-04T17:59:00Z","article","The Fort Smith Board of Directors on March 4 tabled an amendment to the Mazard Road Phase 3 design and approved a separate contract to assemble water‑park slide components — a contested item that drew public comment and a close 4–3 vote.

Engineering staff said the Mazard Road design contract is well underway (between 60%–90% complete) and that the amendment being discussed would add design for a pedestrian/cycle bridge and resolve remaining alignment, right‑of‑way and utility coordination issues. Several directors proposed tabling item 6A until after the city’s upcoming sales‑tax vote and after a planning review; a motion to table item 6A to the May meeting passed 7–0.

Item 6F, which authorizes the city to contract for assembly of water slides and related work as part of a larger $4.2 million water‑park expansion, was pulled for separate discussion. Staff explained the vendor selected (a national slide assembly contractor) specializes in slide installation and that there are few firms that perform that work at scale. The board heard public comments questioning the procurement and the county’s participation; critics said Sebastian County had declined to fund the slide edition and asked whether the city should proceed alone. Drew Peterson, identified in the meeting as a general manager with the park operator, said WhiteWater is the slide manufacturer and that a separate installer (CSM) would perform assembly; he said one slide subject to a patent issue would be replaced at no additional cost.

After public comment the board approved the slide assembly contract by a 4–3 vote. Directors Goode, Rigo, Kemp and Christina Katzavis voted yes; Directors Martin, Settle and George Katzavis voted no. The board also approved the remainder of the consent agenda items (those not pulled) and discussed Oak Cemetery retaining wall repair funding that is included as part of the carryover and consent actions; parks staff said the repair is complex and will likely be poured concrete and that an initial contract covers roughly half the wall with carryover funds covering the remainder as needed.

Votes at a glance: Table Mazard Road design amendment to May — passed 7–0. Approve water‑park slide assembly contract (item 6F) — passed 4–3. Remaining consent agenda items approved as presented.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Fort Smith - Board of Directors - Regular Meeting - Mar 04, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board voted to table a design amendment for the Mazard Road phase 3 project until May and approved a construction contract to assemble water‑park slides by a 4–3 vote, drawing criticism from members of the public and some directors.","taxTitle","Fort Smith, Sebastian County, Arkansas","taxId",3748,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6650974,"Board trims carryover list, removes Make My Move funding and limits payments to existing contractual obligations",2284,3487000,5771000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2501536-154793751c6bc7afb950b6ed9d06f277&start=3487&end=5771","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2501536-154793751c6bc7afb950b6ed9d06f277/thumbnail_3487000.jpg","/articles/6650974/Fort-Smith/Sebastian-County/Arkansas/Board-trims-carryover-list-removes-Make-My-Move-funding-and-limits-payments-to-existing-contractual-obligations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650974-135a2f2e0c0dd800e835e9abd7c2e095/orig.mp4?Expires=1771059742&Signature=SVfL6XaKLXoJASVzQcPrL01iAzuXxCaAM2TdxVQlHjsXb8qD66Tw7H09geFDS8R7f~hFGg-UYObCoxZb5aHwPrIkk480XepqWbsAz8zunU1SHbBZdjVhdM4JwmeLK0bGJ1og48KOQveaVwXB-JiHwDA9N981d55ccqysXXW94uO9zR8O9lgQG8COmXdkQ~X7q9zUYj7Od1d2OiAJe9Oebd3I9UFJBHbzYfSgvGWXIYsxeCFRMKLJvCayKUoryIXexK5Px9xGT3rLQeyOHnkiNeQsY-wpS2122mnoiNzXv5fJQ-5Gdhdi95mQROp8l4sRO-r2QRMdGekem093yXoEFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fort Smith Board of Directors debated and modified a group of 2024 budget carryovers on March 4, ultimately approving the carryovers as amended and moving to limit the city’s recruitment incentive program, Make My Move.

Chief Financial Officer Andy Richards summarized the carryover list as discussed at recent study sessions and said the total was roughly $3,466,000. Major items discussed included a $1.4 million allocation for the Farmers Market solar project and several transportation and transit grants that staff said are largely reimbursable by federal funds.

Josh (identified in the meeting as the staff representative for the Make My Move program) said the program had produced six moves so far and that five of those participants had received initial incentive payments; he said the program offers $5,000 for leasing and $10,000 for home purchases (half upon lease/closing, half after one year of residence). Josh said the program had signed memoranda of understanding with several prospective participants and that outstanding obligations related to people already in process totaled tens of thousands of dollars.

Directors debated whether to carry the Make My Move appropriation forward. An amendment to remove Make My Move funding from the carryover package carried unanimously (7–0). The board then voted to adopt the carryover ordinance as amended; that motion passed 5–2. Later the board voted 7–0 on a motion to release Make My Move funds only for current, contractual obligations to enrollees who have already accepted offers or signed MOUs; the board said it would close the program to new enrollments pending a formal evaluation and further direction.

Public commenters urged fiscal discipline. Several speakers, including Kim Fodge and Crystal Cadelli, urged the board to deny carryovers that did not have active contracts or to prioritize funds to core services; some callers called for broader cuts and a planning session to set board priorities.

Votes at a glance: Amendment to remove Make My Move from carryovers — passed 7–0. Adoption of Item 5 carryovers as amended — passed 5–2. Motion to allocate Make My Move only for existing contractual obligations — passed 7–0.","Directors approved most 2024 carryover appropriations but removed Make My Move funding from the carryovers, then separately authorized payments only for existing, contracted Make My Move enrollees.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6650979,"Fort Smith board approves market adjustments to pay, setting effective date for mid‑April",278,3211000,3489000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2501536-154793751c6bc7afb950b6ed9d06f277&start=3211&end=3489","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2501536-154793751c6bc7afb950b6ed9d06f277/thumbnail_3211000.jpg","/articles/6650979/Fort-Smith/Sebastian-County/Arkansas/Fort-Smith-board-approves-market-adjustments-to-pay-setting-effective-date-for-midApril","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650979-acd70cf8b0752af2aab6dc6a6edce9af/orig.mp4?Expires=1771059742&Signature=h5o6uKUtirsZyzOAltEwu~hEnAh3hBxZ~DegCwnTtgI1sEilwwPKzOxekpPywJqg-gfx35FS-MKVmuqPVfxdRlJPoLdFG6DbiS-dDT4H8lkj0U9taPRqZq1bUzb4bKpEJgNIioUVhQtJgLq1VhQRs159ZkHSRaOXfHgKKqeWKxgGigrgLV6HPVXmaXXr834ptGI~E6tHD2sh2CFXTFtDPeCZ0Q277ppyqwuXxfNoDinRs4mlxGAs21P-O2kSmdsBTI-UVW2QUNsGMVShg9up6jJdCOPU0Hb6a8J5m9HbNzTncal00fg9kD2BEpQVi1bRvKcBhlp-VhROSlRrpVwb5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fort Smith Board of Directors on March 4 approved ordinances to update city employee pay schedules and to amend the 2025 operating budget to fund market adjustments for non‑uniform employees and the uniformed fire department.

Rick Wally, identified in the meeting as the city’s chief human resources officer, told the board the proposal includes an across‑the‑board market adjustment of 3.5% for non‑uniformed employees and an approximate 5% increase for the uniformed fire department. He said the effective date for the changes will align with the beginning of the 2025 compensation year, April 14, 2025.

Board members offered support for the proposal while raising questions about broader fiscal impacts. Director Neil Martin asked how adjustments could affect the water and sewer fund’s debt service coverage ratio and asked for options that could protect employees while mitigating impacts on rates. Administration said some reallocation options would be discussed at a meeting in two weeks; the city’s finance staff estimated the carryover and reallocation steps could return several million dollars to the water and sewer fund if the board pursues them.

The board moved to adopt the related ordinance amending the operating budget (item 4B) and authorized appropriation of funds for the market adjustments; the roll call for item 4B recorded unanimous approval, 7–0. Board members emphasized they want follow‑up analysis of operational cost impacts and the effect on utility rates.

Vote at a glance: Ordinance amending 2025 operating budget to appropriate market adjustment funds — adopted 7–0.","The board approved market adjustments for non‑uniformed personnel (3.5%) and a roughly 5% increase for uniformed fire department wages, with changes effective at the start of the April 14, 2025 compensation year; board discussed budget implications for water/sewer rates.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6650984,"Board approves rezoning at 801 S. 0th Street to allow light industrial use",68,3054000,3122000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2501536-154793751c6bc7afb950b6ed9d06f277&start=3054&end=3122","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2501536-154793751c6bc7afb950b6ed9d06f277/thumbnail_3054000.jpg","/articles/6650984/Fort-Smith/Sebastian-County/Arkansas/Board-approves-rezoning-at-801-S-0th-Street-to-allow-light-industrial-use","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650984-0655f75bb201a3519b2218f42d1a106b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771059742&Signature=SNpUrkwcFJm~5-5aYGcMe~kl1Q3V5IAUpxePzJSeVkFWiJEMMSvPiBiwD5vL41Brfrc~GrvKJULf7VEu1PV30AW73hV9R176Rl~6InQhicUGbQIRV-a3d09hRj2NmIS3LfFR3etH1J2WeQl256ZP6MgE5mWZYpogF98o6lO6-EjUhtSK7CaAdRvXqVEzDYR175tm~8c~SNMzFc57ySdTikw9jaZvERmvC~uUwYWmvHJ6rf-NQ2iHhM6ng0CfAC~Du0V0YaC5ks9dA7aNoE-0cJ9A5aYn-No-l0gaSh05H~lMRvQp8dUX-eyOGNuy06DSF6ZO-BNTMYUTfSXyCPqBEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fort Smith Board of Directors unanimously approved on March 4 an ordinance rezoning property at 801 South 0 Street from commercial heavy to industrial light, a change the planning commission recommended 9–0.

Deputy City Administrator Maggie Rice told the board the site is just under an acre at the northeast corner of South 0 Street and Wheeler Avenue and that a neighborhood meeting on Jan. 31 produced no neighboring opposition. Planner records show the proposed industrial light designation will allow an electrical equipment appliance and components manufacturing business to operate within the existing building. At the planning commission hearing, Anthony Toth represented the application.

The board moved and seconded adoption of the ordinance with suspension of the rules. No board members requested additional discussion; the roll call showed unanimous approval, 7–0.

Because the building is existing and the rezoning is limited to industrial light uses, Rice said no additional neighborhood comments were registered at the planning commission hearing and there were no outstanding technical or utility constraints noted in the staff report.

Vote at a glance: Ordinance rezoning 801 South 0 Street — adopted 7–0.","The Fort Smith Board unanimously rezoned a parcel at 801 South 0 Street from commercial heavy to industrial light to allow an electrical equipment manufacturing tenant to operate in the existing building.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6650988,"Fort Smith board rejects rezoning, annexation for 11100 Old Highway 71 after neighborhood pushback",2555,466000,3021000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2501536-154793751c6bc7afb950b6ed9d06f277&start=466&end=3021","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2501536-154793751c6bc7afb950b6ed9d06f277/thumbnail_466000.jpg","/articles/6650988/Fort-Smith/Sebastian-County/Arkansas/Fort-Smith-board-rejects-rezoning-annexation-for-11100-Old-Highway-71-after-neighborhood-pushback","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650988-745c87594c324a7336a296bd4951efd6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771059742&Signature=Jsy9Gz4CeSm~B7b8ZY5TK1qHwFQGG9KaHYc2DQLeSzE6wyWJW6Q5~jhWbsIPVlLtsj609OFko1CakxMfM~6K~IjguHOWNnmHEQijgi2943Ac-OuDCAlcwE4H6VICj5UrR51ZuSmedNWiZGcFCobz7NupnxOBvwFpL~6dZUxUhAUd3uJCT~dkVyBCy2mh7aOe~1vEwd7MQTvdVUQhPLL8Gc70QCxV5nM1z-DbC8yV4Ovv8QpNz74HB19AHm5PEHUgoTO1JIX-21JwUy0EdURsCyenI31YpOpSEFfb2cV0HQXZEI4drofLJQ1wNk13KErWXins~VgjXncuNKbM3mNQLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fort Smith Board of Directors voted 5–2 on March 4 to defeat an ordinance that would have amended the master land-use plan and rezoned roughly 16–17 acres at 11100 Old Highway 71, a proposal that developers said would allow a mixed‑use project with residential and commercial uses.

The planning commission held a public hearing on Feb. 11 and voted 8–0 to recommend approval. The developer representative, John Alford, said the plan includes a landscape buffer along existing single‑family lots and noted the city’s master street plan shows a future arterial bisecting the site. \"Carrington Creek has proposed that there will be a buffer against the current single‑family residential,\" Alford said.

Neighbors and homeowners described concerns during the board’s public comment period. Elizabeth Allison, president of the Riley Farm Property Owners Association, said the developer told neighbors the homes near the existing neighborhood would be about 1,200 square feet and would be rentals; Allison told the board that the developer's claim that the area needs more rentals was inaccurate. \"When the developer says that we need more rentals in this area, that is not accurate,\" Allison said. Harold Davis, speaking for the Riley Farm Property Owners Association, told the board the plan would cause traffic and drainage problems and warned rezoning next to Riley Farm could \"unravel the entire neighborhood.\"

Deputy City Administrator Maggie Rice told the board the applicant requested four character areas in the planned zoning district; character areas ranged from single‑family only along existing residential edges to areas allowing duplexes, row houses and some commercial uses near U.S. Highway 71. Rice also confirmed the city has not received a development plan with the planned zoning district application.

Board members discussed the absence of a development plan, the timing of a projected master‑street extension through the site, and whether the developer could build duplexes under existing extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) zoning if the board rejected annexation. Director Settle emphasized neighbors’ fears about unknown building types and said a development plan helps reduce uncertainty. Director Rigo reminded the board that, under current ETJ zoning, the developer already has the right to build duplexes and that sewer access and annexation are motivating factors for the applicant.

Following discussion, the board voted on the ordinance with suspension of the rules; the motion failed by a 5–2 margin (Directors Goode and Rigo voted yes; Directors Kemp, George Katzavis, Kristina Katzavis, Settle and Martin voted no). After the failed vote the related annexation items were withdrawn from the agenda.

The planning commission record and neighborhood meeting notes cited traffic, drainage, building size and density, property values and potential crime increases as recurring resident concerns. The board did not adopt any rezoning or annexation tonight, and the matter may return in a revised form if the applicant files new materials or a development plan.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance amending master land use plan map & rezoning for 11100 Old Highway 71 — motion to adopt with suspension failed, 2 in favor, 5 opposed.","The Fort Smith Board defeated an ordinance to amend the master land use plan and rezone nearly 17 acres at 11100 Old Highway 71 following resident concerns about traffic, drainage and proposed duplexes. The planning commission had recommended approval 8–0.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board tables Mazard Road design amendment, approves water‑park slide installation despite public questions

Board trims carryover list, removes Make My Move funding and limits payments to existing contractual obligations

Fort Smith board approves market adjustments to pay, setting effective date for mid‑April

Board approves rezoning at 801 S. 0th Street to allow light industrial use

Fort Smith board rejects rezoning, annexation for 11100 Old Highway 71 after neighborhood pushback