Fort Smith Times Record
An Arkansas state senator has proposed a bill that would broaden the definition of a public meeting, both in-person and electronic.
Senate Bill 208, if passed, would lower the number of city directors required to constitute a meeting, going against the Arkansas Supreme Court s 2019 decision in
Wade v. City of Fort Smith that three city directors and City Administrator Carl Geffken did not violate the law in a private email exchange.
The bill, sponsored by District 21 state Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Jonesboro, defines a meeting as the gathering of two or more members of a governing body to discuss matters, including through telephone or electronically. The bill applies to all governing bodies in Arkansas and public bodies supported by or using public funds except for grand juries.
Times Record
The precursors for several prominent decisions in Fort Smith were set in 2020. The city will see them play out in 2021.
City officials in 2020 made decisions related to the extension or implementation of taxes and the federal Consent Decree. Outside of the city government, state and federal officials vouched for Fort Smith as the location of a fleet of fighter jets for a security initiative in Pacific Indochina.
The Times Record has compiled a list of five significant decisions to be made or further considered in 2021 for Fort Smith.
Fighter jet fleet
Ebbing Air Force Base at Fort Smith Regional Airport is in the running with four other locations throughout the country for the location of F-16 fighter jets for the Republic of Singapore and F-35 fighter jets a decision officials expect to be made early in 2021.
Incoming Fort Smith Director brings a ‘B.I.G.’ agenda
Rego ran on a B.I.G. platform designed to “help lead Fort Smith to a brighter and better future.” Author: Talk Business & Politics Updated: 7:42 AM CST December 29, 2020
FORT SMITH, Ark. Jared Rego has visionary plans for the city of Fort Smith that he hopes to work toward when he takes up his seat representing Ward 1 on the Fort Smith Board of Directors in January.
Rego, a senior development officer for Mercy Health Foundation, was the only candidate for the city board position held by Keith Lau, who did not seek reelection.
Times Record
Nearly one and a half decades of holding public service have come to a close for Keith Lau.
Lau, who for eight years has overseen Ward 1 in Fort Smith, will hand his post over to incoming city director Jared Rego at the beginning of 2021. Lau is most recognized for organizing the city s budget system, which Vice Mayor Kevin Settle said greatly benefitted the city during public catastrophes in 2019 and 2020.
The owner of KCP Real Estate, Lau served six years as a planning commissioner for the city before running for Ward 1 in 2012, in which he won the majority of his primary to claim office.
Times Record
Fort Smith is set for an alcohol tax increase, but not without further consideration before it goes into effect.
City Administrator Carl Geffken requested an October study session for a 5% increase to the city s supplemental alcohol tax before it is slated to go into effect in December 2021. This increase would bring the city s supplemental alcohol tax to the maximum fee of 10%, bringing liquor to a 33.75% tax, wine to a 23.75% tax and beer to a 19.75% tax when purchased in a restaurant or bar.
The tax would net the city a projected $500,000 annually, which was factored into the 2021 budget.
The Board of Directors voted 5-2 for the tax to go into effect in December 2021 at the request of 64.6 Downtown Director Talicia Richardson, who said it would negatively impact private clubs whose bottom lines are already strained by COVID-19 restrictions. At-Large Director Neal Martin and Ward 4 Director George Catsavis went against the motion, which was voted upon afte