FORT SMITH - The Fort Smith City Board of Directors is back for another try at the ordinance that would enact a $100 annual fee on established businesses in the city. With a state statute requiring a five vote majority by the board, directors failed to reach that bar at their meeting two weeks ago.
A specially called meeting last Tuesday brought the issue back for what most thought was going to be a second reading of the ordinance, but clarification was given on the state statute, after city officials had believed the 4-3 vote would suffice at the earlier meeting.
Directors Kevin Settle, Don Hutchings, and Tracy Pennartz had voted against the measure in the beginning.
The measure was expected to raise some $480,000 for the city budget.
Also going up with a vote of approval are the city’s franchise fees on some utilities, which directors sent from a 4% to the maximum 4.25% as outlined by state law. This is expected to raise some $500,000+ for the city budget as well.
In addition to those budgetary issues, Directors will also take up the issue of salaries and benefits of city employees, and look over rezoning requests for properties along both Brittany Drive and North 13th Street.
The meeting takes place at 6:00 PM at the Fort Smith Public Schools Service Center, 3205 Jenny Lind Road.