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Fort Smith board hears calls to restore spay-and-neuter voucher funding
Summary
Directors discussed restoring the city—spay-and-neuter voucher program after 2024—25 spending nearly $379,000 and the omission of 2026 funding from the adopted budget; some members urged re-appropriating ~$150,000 and asked staff for ZIP-code breakdowns and eligibility safeguards.
The Fort Smith City Board of Directors debated whether to restore funding for the city—spay-and-neuter voucher program at a Feb. 10 study session, after staff reported the program spent nearly $379,000 in 2024 and 2025 and was not included in the adopted 2026 budget.
Jeff Dingman, who introduced the item at the mayor—s request, said staff prepared a balanced general-fund budget that did not include the vouchers but acknowledged strong resident outreach asking for the program to continue. Director Rigo said he was "grateful to our colleagues for having the conversation" and suggested an interim appropriation of about $150,000 to restart the effort. Director Goode urged the board to "pick back up where we left off" and restore the program rather than offer partial funding.
Utility and animal-services staff provided utilization data and verification procedures. Josh Bifink reported that vouchers in 2025 resulted in 1,331 spay/neuter procedures and that about 98% of vouchers were processed through the nonprofit Kitties and Canines; he said earlier problems with non-Fort Smith addresses had fallen from roughly 80 incidents in the first year to about five the next year after tightened income and address verification. Director Cristina Fasatos asked for a ZIP-code breakdown; staff said one ZIP (72901) accounted for about 34% of vouchers.
Concerns raised included the program—s priority relative to police and fire services and whether the city should first pursue administrative or programmatic changes to increase long-term effectiveness. Director Kemp asked whether the program had demonstrable effects on calls for service; staff said it may take longer than two years to measure policing impacts. Jeff Dingman noted the city ended 2025 with roughly $1.5 million unspent in the general fund and said re-appropriating funds could keep operations balanced.
The board signaled support for placing a funding item on a future agenda. Directors asked staff to supply a ZIP-code breakdown and a clear accounting of which vouchers are encumbered or contract-covered before any vote. The board did not take a final vote during the study session.
