Page 4 - Kevin Settle News Today

FORT SMITH -- City directors have again delayed the rezoning for Next Step Homeless Services to construct a homeless shelter community downtown in order to gather feedback from the community.

Next Step Homeless Services has proposed closing its emergency day shelter in order to create private, non-congregate housing at 1400 S. U St. property.

Next Step Homeless Services has proposed closing its emergency day shelter in order to create private, non-congregate housing at 1400 S. U St. property.

Fort Smith board of directors held a study session to discuss an appeal presented by Next Step Homeless Services to relocate out of the downtown area.

FORT SMITH --After hearing extensive feedback from the community Tuesday, the city directors decided to table an item regarding rezoning 1400 S. U St. from commercial heavy to a planned zoning district, which would allow for construction of a day room for Next Step Homeless Services.

FORT SMITH --After hearing extensive feedback from the community Tuesday, the city directors decided to table an item regarding rezoning 1400 S. U St. from commercial heavy to a planned zoning district, which would allow for construction of a day room for Next Step Homeless Services.

The board of directors chose to set a special meeting for 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Valued readers know I regularly devote considerable space to promoting the free flow of information and lawsuits that arise when institutions and agencies are accused of violating Arkansas' transparency law.

A Fort Smith lawyer filed a lawsuit under the allegations that the board of directors had a secret vote.

FORT SMITH — The 2021 fiscal year saw a roughly 8.1% increase in revenue and 3% decrease in expenses, compared with what the city budgeted for originally.