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Fort Smith board approves Parrot Island slide installation after heated debate and calls for audit
Summary
After extensive public comment questioning Parrot Island’s finances, procurement and safety, the Fort Smith Board of Directors approved a revision to expand Parrot Island with slide-installation contracts and a $1.275 million appropriation from the general fund reserve in a 4–3 vote. Several directors said they will pursue audits and legal review.
The Fort Smith Board of Directors voted 4–3 on Jan. 20 to approve revised contracts and an appropriation to install new water slides at Parrot Island Waterpark, capping a meeting in which residents repeatedly called for an independent audit and questioned procurement practices.
The board approved two related measures: an appropriation of $1,274,935 from the city’s general fund reserve and contracts with Royal Ridge Construction to install waterslide components ($1,059,934.12) and an optional pump-house package ($680,000), for a presented package totaling about $1.74 million. Staff said the estimated total project cost, including equipment, site work and amenities, would be roughly $2.69 million using remaining project funds and interest earnings.
Why it mattered: Citizens and some board members said Parrot Island has operating and infrastructure problems — unpaid invoices, repair costs estimated in the hundreds of thousands and irregular water-billing records — and warned that spending more public dollars before a full audit would be irresponsible. Supporters cited tourism and community benefits and said the park provides discounted and free access to nonprofits and community groups.
What residents said: “Parrot Island can’t pay their bills and their taxpayers are having to bail them out,” said Kim Fodge during the public-comment period, urging an audit before additional spending. Crystal Cadelli cited a FOIA review that found “at least $836,000” in recent repair costs and said the park operated in the red, adding an estimated $40,000 water-revenue loss tied to a malfunctioning meter.
Board discussion and motions: Directors debated whether the appropriation should come from the general fund or the parks CIP. Director Neil Martin moved to shift $1.2 million to the parks fund to protect the general fund; that motion failed (1–6). Directors discussed potential legal claims against outside contractors, whether the city could force a buyout of the slides, and the timeline for an independent audit. City staff said agreed-upon procedures for an audit have been circulated to an external auditor for timing and cost estimates.
On procedure and oversight, City Attorney Colby (first referenced by council members during debate) said any fraud-style claim would require review of contracts and representations; he cautioned that establishing a fraud claim would require specific evidence of misrepresentations and reliance.
Vote and next steps: The motion to adopt the revised ordinances passed by a 4–3 roll call. After the vote, several board members said they would pursue an independent audit and seek legal review of procurement documentation; one director asked that the Arkansas Attorney General’s office be consulted for a review. The mayor abstained from the final vote.
What’s next: Staff said the agreed-upon procedures and an external auditor’s timeline will be brought forward (staff has begun compiling documents); board members also asked administration to provide additional procurement records and timelines for follow-up. The board scheduled a study session to consider next steps and to provide further direction if members request an AG review or expanded audits.
