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