Fort Smith city boss resigns effective July 10, no reason cited

Fort Smith City Administrator Ray Gosack has resigned, with Friday (July 10) his last day on the job. He has worked for the city 16.5 years, with almost five years of that as city administrator.

His letter sent to Mayor Sandy Sanders and the Fort Smith Board of Directors did not indicate why he chose to resign.

“I’m blessed to have worked with one of the most professional and progressive municipal staffs in Arkansas. From top to bottom, the city’s work force is committed to providing exceptional citizen service. They will continue to serve residents, businesses and visitors well,” Gosack wrote in the letter.

The Fort Smith Board of Directors has set a special meeting for 2 p.m. Friday. The City Wire will update this story or post a new story after the meeting.

Gosack, 56, included list of accomplishments in the letter that he was “proud to be part of” during his time with the city. List items included:
• Adoption of Fort Smith’s first-ever comprehensive plan and its update;

• Development of water supply and landfill capacities that will meet regional needs beyond 2070;

• Redevelopment of the former Fort Chaffee Army post resulting in hundreds of jobs and hundreds of millions in private investment;

• Revitalization of downtown;

• A new, sustainable mission for the 188th wing; and

• Remedying the chronic wet weather sanitary sewer overflows.

After serving almost 12 years as a Fort Smith deputy city administrator, Gosack was hired Jan. 4, 2011 as city administrator.

Gosack had served since Nov. 2, 2010 as the acting city administrator following the board’s firing of Dennis Kelly. The “acting” job was his third time to work in that capacity, in having managed city operations after former city administrators Bill Harding and Randy Reed.

Prior to returning to Fort Smith, Gosack served during 1988-1999 as the assistant village manager and director of management services for the Village of Homewood, Ill.

He also worked as administrative assistant for the city of Fort Smith between 1985 and 1988. Gosack earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Arkansas. He was recognized as the outstanding 1985 graduate of the MPA program.

Link here to read the two-page resignation letter from Gosack.