Fort Smith director proposes ordinance to require study‑session review of major capital projects

Director Christina Kasabas introduced a draft ordinance at the Oct. 28 study session that would require an additional study‑session review and a seven‑day waiting period before the board votes on any new capital project costing $500,000 or more, while carving out an emergency exception.

Kasabas said the measure grew from concerns that large items sometimes “come out of nowhere” and cited the water‑slides procurement as an example. "I drafted this ordinance... mainly to serve as a jumping off point for discussion," Kasabas said, adding she intended to allow for emergency situations.

Board members generally agreed on the need for guardrails but debated scope and mechanics. Director Neil Martin supported study‑session review for items not already on a CIP or the budget, asking whether the proposal would slow routine projects that are already scheduled. Director Kemp suggested the ordinance should address projects that begin under the threshold but exceed it later because of escalation. Several directors asked staff to refine definitions and confirm that emergency repairs and federally‑timed grant cycles would be accommodated.

Madam Clerk and finance staff said some large purchases in the past 12 months were not on an earlier CIP and could have fallen under the proposed rule; administration estimated a small handful of high‑value non‑CIP items in the prior year. After discussion, Director Katz Davis moved to place the ordinance on the Nov. 18 voting agenda and the board directed staff to work with legal counsel to prepare final language.

Action: Director Katz Davis moved to place the draft ordinance on the Nov. 18 agenda; the motion was seconded and the clerk was asked to prepare final language and return it for a vote. No ordinance language was adopted at the Oct. 28 study session.