Fort Smith's Form of Government

Fort Smith voters will decide whether the City should change from its current city administrator form of government to a mayor-council form of government.

Arkansas law provides that voters will cast a vote FOR or AGAINST organizing the City under the form of government identified in the proposition. In this election, that proposed form is the mayor-council form of government.

Note: We will update this question with the exact ballot title and a link to the sample ballot when it is made available.

Source: Arkansas Code § 14-48-105(c).

The special election will be held November 3, 2026, in conjunction with the November general election.

On August 18, 2026, the Fort Smith Board of Directors voted unanimously to call the special election.

Residents can watch the August 18, 2026 Regular Board Meeting at this link.

It is considered a special election because the question asks voters to decide a specific issue, whether Fort Smith should change its form of government, rather than elect candidates to office.

Arkansas law requires a special election when voters are asked to decide whether a city operating under the city administrator form should reorganize under another authorized form of municipal government.

The special election will be held on November 3, 2026, at the same time as the general election.

Source: Arkansas Code § 14-48-105.

Arkansas law requires voters to approve a change from the city administrator form of government to another authorized form of municipal government. The governing body itself does not have the authority to make this change without an election.

Arkansas law provides two ways for a question about changing from the city administrator form of government to another authorized form of municipal government to be initiated:

1. A petition signed by the required number of city electors; or
2. A petition authorized by ordinance of the Board of Directors.

On August 18, 2026, the City Clerk certified as sufficient a citizen petition seeking an election on changing the form of government of the City of Fort Smith to the mayor-council form of government.

The Fort Smith Board of Directors also voted unanimously on August 18, 2026 to enact an ordinance to present a petition to the Mayor calling for a special election to consider changing the form of government of the City of Fort Smith to the mayor-council form of government.

The November 3 election allows Fort Smith voters, rather than the Board of Directors, to decide whether the City's form of government will change.

Source: Arkansas Code § 14-48-105(b)(1)(A).

No, the authority to change the form of government in Arkansas is given to Fort Smith voters.

Fort Smith will continue operating under its current city administrator form of government unless voters approve the proposed change and the statutory transition process is completed.

Arkansas law requires signatures from city electors equal to at least 15% of the total number of ballots cast for all candidates for mayor in the preceding general election.

For Fort Smith, that requirement was 2,607 qualified electors.

On August 18, 2026, the City Clerk determined that the petition contained the required number of valid signatures. Reporting following the certification identified that the City Clerk certified 2,681 signatures of Fort Smith electors of the more than 4,100 signatures submitted.

Source: Arkansas Code § 14-48-105(b)(1)(A); City Clerk certification; published reporting regarding the August 18, 2026 certification.

Fort Smith currently operates under the city administrator form of government.

Under this form, Fort Smith has:

• An elected mayor;
• Seven elected members of the Board of Directors; and
• A professional City Administrator hired by the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors is the City's legislative body, while the City Administrator serves as the City's chief executive officer and oversees day-to-day City operations.

The City Administrator prepares and presents the City's annual operating budget to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is responsible for reviewing and adopting the City's budget, which funds the programs, services and priorities established by the Board.

Source: City of Fort Smith; Arkansas Code Chapter 48.

Fort Smith has operated under the city administrator form of government since 1967.

In 1967, Fort Smith voters chose to change the City’s form of government from a mayor-commission form to the city administrator form that remains in place today. The change followed the Arkansas General Assembly’s passage of Act 36 of 1967, which authorized cities to organize under the city administrator form.

Under the previous system, Fort Smith was governed by a commission for more than 50 years. The new structure shifted responsibility for the City’s day-to-day administration to a professional city administrator and established an elected Board of Directors as the City’s legislative body.

Fort Smith voters approved the change on March 28, 1967, and the city administrator form took effect later that year.

Link: Fort Smith Historical Society chronology

Link: City of Fort Smith v. Driggers

Fort Smith currently has seven City Directors.

The City is divided into four wards based on population. Four directors are elected by voters within their respective wards, while three directors are elected at large by voters citywide.

Each director serves a four-year term.

Source: City of Fort Smith

The seven-member Board of Directors is Fort Smith's elected legislative body.

The Board establishes City policy, adopts ordinances and resolutions, approves the City's annual budget and exercises other legislative authority provided by Arkansas law.

The Board also hires and oversees the City Administrator. The City Administrator serves as the City's chief executive officer and is responsible for implementing Board policy and overseeing the City's day-to-day operations and departments.

This means that while the City Administrator manages the City's executive and administrative operations, the elected Board of Directors establishes policy and makes the City's legislative decisions.

Source: City of Fort Smith; Arkansas Code §§ 14-48-116 and 14-48-117.

The City Administrator serves as the City's chief executive officer and oversees daily municipal operations.

Among the City Administrator's responsibilities are:

• Preparing and presenting the City's annual budget to the Board of Directors;
• Administering the approved budget;
• Reporting to the Board regarding City finances and administrative activities;
• Advising the Board regarding the City's financial condition and future needs;
• Supervising City departments, agencies, offices and employees; and
• Carrying out other administrative responsibilities established by law.

The City Administrator is hired by the Board of Directors and serves at the pleasure of the Board.

Source: City of Fort Smith; Arkansas Code §§ 14-48-116 and 14-48-117.

Under Fort Smith's current city administrator form of government, the seven-member Board of Directors oversees the City Administrator.

The Board hires the City Administrator, establishes the administrator's compensation, sets City policy, approves the budget, and may terminate the City Administrator by a majority vote of the Board's elected membership. The City Administrator serves as the City's chief executive officer and is responsible for implementing Board policy and overseeing the City's day-to-day operations and departments.

Under the mayor-council form, the Mayor would be an independently elected official accountable directly to Fort Smith voters. The Mayor would serve as the City's chief executive officer, while the eight-member City Council would serve as the City's elected legislative body.

The Mayor and City Council would have separate but interacting responsibilities under Arkansas law.

The Mayor would exercise the executive authority assigned to the office, including overseeing the executive administration of City government and developing and presenting the City's annual budget to the City Council.

The City Council would exercise the City's legislative authority, manage and control City finances and be responsible for adopting the City's annual budget. The Council would also have authority to override certain actions of the Mayor when the vote required by Arkansas law is reached.

Unlike the current Board's relationship with the City Administrator, the City Council would not employ the Mayor and could not simply terminate the Mayor because it was dissatisfied with the Mayor's performance. The Mayor's executive authority would operate alongside the statutory legislative and financial authority of the elected City Council.

Sources: Arkansas Code §§ 14-43-502 and 14-43-504.

Under the current city administrator form, the mayor is elected by Fort Smith voters and presides over meetings of the Board of Directors.

The mayor does not vote on matters before the Board but has veto authority over certain Board actions. A mayoral veto may be overridden by a supermajority vote of the City Council, meaning five of the seven Board members are required to override a mayoral veto in Fort Smith.

The mayor also performs ambassadorial and ceremonial duties and signs certain official City documents that have been approved by the Board. The mayor often serves as a representative of the community in intergovernmental relationships and economic development initiatives.

The mayor is not currently the City's chief executive officer. That role belongs to the City Administrator.

Source: City of Fort Smith; Arkansas Code Chapter 48.

The mayor-council form is another form of municipal government authorized under Arkansas law.

Under the mayor-council form applicable to a city of Fort Smith's size, voters elect a mayor and members of a city council, along with certain other municipal officials required by law.

The mayor serves as the City's chief executive officer, while the city council exercises the City's legislative authority.

Source: Arkansas Code Chapter 43; Arkansas Code § 14-43-504.

The form of government being considered is identified in Arkansas law and in the election proposition as the mayor-council form of government.

The term "strong mayor" is sometimes used in public discussions to describe forms of mayor-council government in which significant executive authority is held by the elected mayor.

It is not the statutory name of the form Fort Smith voters are being asked to consider.

For clarity and consistency, City information will use the term mayor-council form of government.

One of the most significant differences is where the City's chief executive authority is placed.

Under Fort Smith's current city administrator form: The City Administrator, who is hired by the elected Board of Directors, serves as chief executive officer and oversees day-to-day City administration.

Under the proposed mayor-council form: The Mayor, who is elected by voters, serves as the City's chief executive officer.

In both forms, an elected legislative body establishes ordinances and makes legislative decisions, including establishment of budget priorities and adoption of an annual budget.

Source: City of Fort Smith; Arkansas Code §§ 14-48-117 and 14-43-504.

Yes. Arkansas law states that under the mayor-council form, the mayor is the City's chief executive officer.

Source: Arkansas Code § 14-43-504.

Under a mayor-council form of government, the Mayor would serve as the City's chief executive officer and would have direct responsibility for the executive administration of City government.

In practical terms, the mayor would:

• Oversee the executive operations of City government and carry out the laws, ordinances and policies established by the City Council;
• Appoint and remove City department heads, subject to the City Council's authority under Arkansas law to override the Mayor's action by the required two-thirds vote. Arkansas law also provides a potential exception for police and fire chiefs if appointment and removal authority is delegated by ordinance to a civil service commission;
• Supervise the conduct of City officers, review reasonable complaints concerning their conduct, and take or initiate appropriate action when duties are neglected or violated;
• Serve as ex officio president of the City Council and preside over council meetings;
• Vote on City Council matters in circumstances authorized by Arkansas law, including when the Mayor's vote is needed to pass an ordinance, resolution, order or motion or to establish a quorum;
• Veto certain ordinances, resolutions and orders adopted by the City Council when the Mayor determines the action is contrary to the public interest. The City Council may override a veto when the vote required by Arkansas law is reached;
• Develop and present the City's annual budget to the City Council, with the City Council responsible for adopting the annual budget;
• Report to the City Council on the affairs of the City and recommend measures for the Council to consider; and
• Perform other executive duties and responsibilities assigned to the Mayor by Arkansas law or consistent duties required by the City Council.

The mayor would be both an elected official and the City’s chief executive. Rather than having an appointed City Administrator responsible for the City's executive administration, the elected mayor would occupy the chief executive role and exercise the executive authority provided by Arkansas law, including significant autonomous authority over City department leadership.

The City Council would remain the legislative body, responsible for adopting ordinances and other legislative actions. The mayor and council would therefore have separate but interacting executive and legislative roles.

No.

The mayor-council form divides governmental authority between the mayor and the city council.

The mayor exercises executive authority provided by Arkansas law, while the city council exercises legislative authority and manages and controls the City's finances as provided by law.

The mayor's veto authority can also be overridden by the council when the required statutory vote is reached.

Sources: Arkansas Code §§ 14-43-502 and 14-43-504.

Under Arkansas law, the city council:

• Exercises the legislative powers granted to the City;
• Manages and controls City finances; and
• Establishes the times and places of its meetings.

Council meetings are open to the public as required by law.

Source: Arkansas Code § 14-43-502.

Not under the new form once the transition is complete.

Fort Smith currently has a seven-member Board of Directors. If voters approve the mayor-council form, Fort Smith would transition to an eight-member City Council structured according to Arkansas law applicable to mayor-council cities of Fort Smith's population.

The current Board of Directors and the current mayor would continue serving during the transition period.

Source: Arkansas Code §§ 14-43-303 and 14-48-105.

Fort Smith would have eight City Council members instead of the current seven members of the City's Board of Directors.

Under Arkansas law applicable to mayor-council cities with populations of 50,000 or more, the governmental structure provides for two council positions from each of the City's four wards.

Council members serve four-year terms, with terms structured so that council members’ seats are staggered.

Source: Arkansas Code § 14-43-303; City of Fort Smith legal presentation on change of government.

Arkansas law provides options for how council members in a mayor-council city may be elected.

The default statutory structure provides for council candidates to reside in the ward they seek to represent while being elected citywide. However, the governing body may adopt an ordinance providing for council members to be elected by the voters of their respective wards.

State law also allows a structure in which one council member from each ward is elected citywide and another is elected only by voters of that ward.

Importantly, the governing body of a city transitioning to the mayor-council form may make this determination by ordinance during the transition period.

Therefore, the November 3 vote does not by itself determine which of these council-election methods Fort Smith would ultimately use.

Source: Arkansas Code § 14-43-307.

Based on Arkansas law applicable to a mayor-council city with Fort Smith's population, the required elected municipal offices include:

• Mayor;
• City clerk;
• City attorney;
• City treasurer – may be appointed and can be combined with the city clerk position; and
• Two council members from each ward.

These offices generally carry four-year terms, although the initial transition may require shorter terms for some officials to establish the staggered election schedule required by law.

Source: Arkansas Code § 14-43-303; City of Fort Smith legal presentation.

Yes, under the mayor-council structure applicable to Fort Smith.

Arkansas law provides that in a mayor-council city with a population of 50,000 or more, the city attorney is elected by the qualified electors of the City.

Source: Arkansas Code §§ 14-43-303 and 14-43-314.

Yes.

Arkansas law provides for the election of a city clerk in mayor-council cities with populations of 50,000 or more.

Source: Arkansas Code § 14-43-303.

Under the statutory structure applicable to Fort Smith, a city treasurer is among the municipal officials elected under the mayor-council form.

Source: Arkansas Code § 14-43-303.

No.

Approval of the ballot question would begin the statutory transition process. Fort Smith would continue operating under the city administrator form of government while elections and other transition requirements are completed.

The change would not take effect immediately after the November 3, 2026 election.

Source: Arkansas Code § 14-48-105(f).

If voters approve the change in November 2026, elections for officials required under the mayor-council form would be held in November 2028.

Source: Arkansas Code § 14-48-105(f); City of Fort Smith legal presentation.

If approved by voters, officials elected to serve under the mayor-council form would take office on January 1, 2029.

On that date, the terms of the mayor and members of the Board of Directors serving under the city administrator form would terminate, and the transition to the mayor-council form would be complete.

Sources: Arkansas Code §§ 14-42-201 and 14-48-105(f); City of Fort Smith legal presentation.

Fort Smith would continue operating under the city administrator form of government during the transition.

The mayor, Board of Directors and City administration serving under the existing form would continue performing their current roles while the City completes the legal and election steps required to establish the mayor-council form.

During the transition, the governing body may also need to make certain decisions authorized by Arkansas law, including decisions regarding how future city council members will be elected.

No.

The mayor elected in the 2026 municipal election will be elected under Fort Smith's current city administrator form of government.

Even if voters approve the mayor-council proposition on November 3, the current governmental structure remains in place through the transition period.

A separate election for officials serving under the mayor-council form would occur in November 2028. Those officials would take office January 1, 2029.

Source: Arkansas Code § 14-48-105(f); City of Fort Smith legal presentation.

Current officials serving under the city administrator form would continue serving during the statutory transition.

According to the legal analysis presented to the City, officials under the city administrator form would continue until January 1, 2029.

On that date, the terms of the members of the Board of Directors and the mayor serving under the existing form would terminate as the newly elected mayor-council government takes office.

Source: Arkansas Code § 14-48-105(f)(1)(C); City of Fort Smith legal presentation.

The current city administrator form of government would remain in place during the transition period. If voters approve the change, elections for officials under the mayor-council form would take place in November 2028.

Once the transition to the mayor-council form is completed, the mayor would become the City's elected chief executive, replacing the statutory role currently performed by the City Administrator under Arkansas Code Chapter 48.

However, changing forms of government would not necessarily mean that all professional administrative positions would be eliminated or that the mayor would personally perform every day-to-day administrative function. A future mayor and City Council could establish administrative or executive staff positions permitted by law and determine how responsibilities are organized within the new structure.

For example, Fayetteville, Arkansas, the state's largest city operating under the mayor-council form, has an elected mayor who serves as the City's chief executive while also employing a Chief of Staff and other senior administrative officials. The mayor retains the executive authority established by Arkansas law while professional staff assist in managing City operations.

The November ballot question determines the form of government. It does not determine every future staffing position, organizational structure, or administrative decision that may be made under that form.

Sources: Arkansas Code Chapters 43 and 48; City of Fayetteville.

The ballot question concerns the organization and form of Fort Smith's municipal government.

It does not itself enact a new tax, repeal an existing tax, or establish a new tax rate.

Future tax decisions would remain subject to applicable Arkansas law and any voter approval requirements that may apply.

The ballot question does not itself eliminate or establish specific City services.

Police, fire, water, sewer, sanitation, streets, parks, transit and other municipal operations would continue to be governed by applicable law, budgets, ordinances and policy decisions.

The principal subject of the November election is how Fort Smith's municipal government is organized and where executive and legislative authority are assigned.

If a majority of votes cast on the question are FOR organizing Fort Smith under the mayor-council form, the City must proceed with the statutory process for electing the officials required under that form of government.

Those elections would occur in November 2028, with the transition completed when the newly elected officials take office January 1, 2029.

Source: Arkansas Code § 14-48-105(f).

If a majority of votes cast are AGAINST the proposition, Fort Smith will continue operating under the city administrator form of government.

Arkansas law also provides that if the proposed form is rejected, the question of adopting that same form of government may not be resubmitted to Fort Smith voters for four years.

Source: Arkansas Code § 14-48-105(g).

No.

Arkansas law provides that after a municipality adopts another form of government through this process, a proposal to reorganize under the city administrator form may not be submitted to voters for a period of four years.

Source: Arkansas Code § 14-48-105(h).

No.

Mayor-council is an established form of municipal government authorized by Arkansas law and used by other Arkansas cities.

Fort Smith is not creating a new form of government. Voters are deciding whether Fort Smith should reorganize under another form already provided for in state law.

Source: Arkansas Code Chapter 43.

The city-administrator form is used by a relatively small number of Arkansas cities. Fort Smith, Barling and Siloam Springs operate under this form.

An additional five cities — Little Rock, Arkadelphia, Hope, Hot Springs and Texarkana — operate under a statutory "city manager" form of government.

Nationally, however, comparable systems are commonly referred to as the council-manager form of government and are widely used across the United States. The International City/County Management Association reports that 54% of U.S. municipalities with populations of 10,000 or more use the council-manager form, including 59% of municipalities with populations greater than 100,000. More than 120 million Americans live in communities operating under this form of professionally managed local government.

Under this model, an elected governing body establishes policy and appoints a professional administrator or manager to oversee day-to-day municipal operations. The council-manager model is not limited to small or mid-sized communities. Dallas, Texas, for example, operates under a council-manager form of government, with an elected mayor and city council and an appointed city manager responsible for administering City operations.

Arkansas law uses the term “city administrator form of government,” while other states and national organizations may use terms such as “council-manager” or “city manager.” Although the specific powers and responsibilities vary according to state law and local charters, these forms share the general structure of an elected governing body working with an appointed professional administrator.

Sources: Arkansas Code Chapter 48; International City/County Management Association (ICMA); City of Dallas.

The mayor-council form is the most commonly used form of municipal government in Arkansas and is used by cities and towns of varying sizes across the state. Under this form, voters directly elect a mayor who serves as the City's chief executive, along with an elected city council that serves as the legislative body.

Arkansas cities operating under the mayor-council form include Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, Bentonville, Russellville, Jonesboro, Pine Bluff, Conway, Benton, Jacksonville, Paragould, Van Buren, Searcy and many others. Fayetteville, the second-largest city in Arkansas, identifies itself as the largest city in the state operating under the mayor-council form.

Nationally, the mayor-council form is also widely used, although it is not the most common form of municipal government nationwide. Mayor-council governments are found in communities of all sizes, including many large U.S. cities. The specific powers of a mayor and city council can vary considerably from one state or city to another based on state law and local charters.

If Fort Smith voters approve the proposed change, Fort Smith would operate under Arkansas law governing the mayor-council form, so comparisons with other Arkansas cities provide the most direct examples of how the form operates within the state's legal framework.

Sources: Arkansas Code Title 14; Arkansas Municipal League; City of Fayetteville.

The principal Arkansas statutes relevant to this election include:

• Arkansas Code Chapter 48 — City Administrator Form of Municipal Government
• Arkansas Code § 14-48-105 — Procedure for changing from the city administrator form to another authorized form of government
• Arkansas Code Chapter 43 — Government of Cities of the First Class, including provisions applicable to mayor-council cities

Additional election statutes and municipal laws apply to the election and transition process.

Yes.

The City will update these FAQs as additional official election information becomes available and as new questions are received from residents.

Information will also be updated if a legal, election or procedural development affects an answer provided on this page.

Residents are encouraged to distinguish between:

• Arkansas law and official election information;
• Factual City information explaining the process; and
• Arguments made by individuals or organizations supporting or opposing the proposed change.

Statements about what a particular form of government will legally do should be checked against Arkansas law and official City or election information.

The City will continue adding answers to this page to address questions and clarify information circulating in the community.

Residents may submit questions to the City of Fort Smith at [email protected] for consideration as this FAQ webpage is updated. Questions should focus on the election, current form of government, proposed form of government, statutory transition process, or other factual information related to the November 3, 2026 ballot question.

The City of Fort Smith does not advocate for or against the proposed change in form of government. Information on this page is provided for educational purposes to help voters understand the November 3, 2026 special election.