Most Fort Smith Directors support citizen panel for street tax program

A new citizen panel proposed by Fort Smith Director Tracy Pennartz to provide some measure of oversight of the more than $200 million in the city’s street tax program outlays over the 10-year cycle of the tax may soon be a reality.

Talk of a new street tax commission coincides with an upcoming vote on renewal of the 1% street tax for another 10 years.

The Fort Smith Board of Directors approved a May 12 election in which city voters will be asked to vote for renewal of the 1% sales tax for street, bridges and drainage improvements. Part of the ballot also includes a voter question on directing 5% of the tax collections toward construction of a multi-use trail system.

The street tax generates $18 million to $20 million each year. The tax, first approved by voters in 1985, has a sunset clause that requires voter approval every 10 years. The tax was renewed by voters in 1995 with 87.2% voting yes, and in 2005 with 66.3% voting yes.

TRANSPARENCY
Pennartz, new to the board, has pushed for the city’s legislative body to discuss the issue. She said in an e-mail note to The City Wire that a citizen commission would bring transparency to the program and the spending.

"Obviously, I believe this approach merits discussion by the Board to ascertain the advantages of creating a city commission on Streets, Bridges, & Associated Drainage,” Pennartz wrote. “Not unlike the Planning Commission and the Parks Commission, the creation of a city commission can be a viable approach to receiving ongoing citizen input. It also promotes a transparent process of valuation and prioritization of taxpayers dollars. Lastly, I think a City Commission on Streets, Bridges & Associated Drainage could serve as an informational and educational avenue for people to see the results of spending the revenue from the one cent sales tax."

Of the seven-member Board of Directors, five – including Pennartz – appear in favor of creating the commission. Director Don Hutchings did not respond to a request from The City Wire for his opinion on the issue. Director Kevin Settle was uncertain.

“I have not have made my decision yet. I look forward to discussion with the board and hearing from citizens and staff on this subject,” Settle said.

The Board is set to discuss the issue at a June 9 study session.

DIRECTOR COMMENTS
Following are comments from the other Directors.
• Director George Catsavis: “I have no problem with citizens panel to provide oversight of the 200 million street tax program, I would look at it as an advisory board to give input to the directors.”

• Director André Good: In my opinion, I think a citizen panel to monitor and provide some feedback to the board and staff could be beneficial. I am not saying that the Street and/or Engineering Departments are not doing a good job, but what I am saying is personally I have tried to make mental notes when a particular street overlay project is being done and tried to determine how long, how many years later the same overlay or other work was done in the same area. I simply haven't made it a priority to keep those kinds of records. So sure, if a group of citizens would like to volunteer to provide some community input and review of such, I think it could be helpful. The interaction might provoke questions why staff or the department do certain street related things. It could allow for staff to provide feedback to us laypeople to get a full, overall picture. I see this panel as being a monitoring committee, not a micro-managing one.”

• Director Keith Lau: “I think a citizen panel  is a great idea and needed  for a number of reasons. First, a committee/ panel of citizens could do independent research and review of the SBD CIP information, free to express their concerns and or recommendations outside the city administration. It would also allow open debate with different views from multiple citizens representing all of the cities demographic groups. The current debate  for allocations of the 5yr SBD CIP allocation appears to be focused around the opinions of one citizen vs the administration and special interest groups. A panel discussion could bring open and candid debate without all of the sock value political games which are currently being played out in the press and social media. Lastly the city administration and volunteer citizens have spent a huge amount of time effort and money developing a comprehensive plan for the city. A citizen panel could oversee the SBD CIP to make sure it follows the goals of the comprehensive plan.”

• Director Mike Lorenz: “I think Director Pennartz has a great suggestion in creating this panel. It will provide citizen feedback to assist in prioritizing projects as well as help provide a direct citizen connection to how the street tax collections are allocated. It promotes citizen involvement and enhances transparency.”