The city of Fort Smith on Friday (Oct. 24) announced organizational structure changes implemented Sept. 29. The changes, according to the city statement, were designed to “improve efficiency and customer service across departments.”
Structural changes come as the Fort Smith Board of Directors and city admin work to set the city’s 2026 budget, with a focus to reduce or eliminate the city’s general fund deficit.
In 2024, the general fund budget posted a $6.47 million deficit, and is projected to end 2025 with a $15.56 million deficit. The proposed 2026 budget projects an $8.092 million deficit. The proposed 2026 budget anticipates revenue of $53.695 million and expenses of $61.788 million. Of the expenditures, $20.589 million is for the Fort Smith Police Department, and $16.227 million is tied to the Fort Smith Fire Department. A board budget hearing is set for Nov. 14.
“There are no immediate plans for staff reductions,” the city said in the press release. “However, city administration and department heads will continue to evaluate opportunities to streamline through natural attrition. No new personnel have been added, and most employee functions remain the same, though supervision and internal reporting structures may have shifted under the new alignment.”
Following are the new departments and functions announced Friday.
• Department of Public Works
The department of 190 employees consolidates all field operations crews based at the city’s maintenance facility under one leadership structure. Department functions will include water line maintenance, water meter maintenance, sanitary sewer line maintenance, storm drainage maintenance, street and sidewalk repair, construction, and maintenance, and traffic signal and control. Matt Meeker is the department director.
• Department of Engineering
All engineering functions under one department will improve “capital project planning, design, and delivery,” according to the city. Prior to the change the city had an engineering group for water and sewer utilities and another for streets and storm drainage. The department, which has 39 employees, will reduce the need for “costly outsourced services” and improve support of planning and development work, the city noted. The city is in the process of hiring a department director.
• Department of Water Resources
The consolidated department, which has 125 employees, will manage city utility infrastructure, two water and two wastewater treatment plants, system lift stations, water storage tanks, water transmission facilities, and watershed operations. Lance McAvoy is the department director.
“The department oversees water supply contracts, environmental compliance, and long-term planning to ensure reliable service and resource sustainability,” the city noted. Lance McAvoy serves as Director of Water Resources, overseeing 125 employees.
• Department of Citizen Services
This department, created in 2024, manages utility accounts, billing, and the city’s customer service operations. The department also maintains city hall, the Blue Lion, the Carnall Office Building, and other city facilities. The department, with 36 employees, also manages the city’s energy-efficiency projects. Joshua Robertson is the department director.
• Department of Public Safety Communications
The department separates emergency dispatch services from the Fort Smith Police Department to prepare for the new River Valley Communications Center, led by Director Wes Milam.
The restructuring also combines communications and public relations jobs, brings the city’s training, safety, and risk management program within the Department of Human Resources, and creates a business analytics operating within the finance department.
“The Board of Directors was the key driver behind the restructuring effort,” the city said in a response to questions from Talk Business & Politics. “Following an executive session during the June 3, 2025 meeting, the Board of Directors instructed the Acting City Administrator to review and reorganize the administrative structure. That was the genesis of the reorganization. Additionally, during the City’s strategic planning workshop in late August, Board members emphasized the need to streamline operations and improve service delivery across departments.”
The city response to questions also noted that discussions and decisions about organizational change were focused on two goals, “quality core services” and “financial responsibility.”
“After several weeks, our staff is still adjusting to the new alignment, but we’re already seeing improvements in responsiveness and customer service,” Acting City Administrator Jeff Dingman said in the press release. “This reorganization is designed to streamline our operations and create a more efficient City workforce, resulting in better service delivery to our residents.”