Fort Smith Board does not make police department cuts, but lowers overall budget 6.5%

The Fort Smith Board of Directors added approximately $416,000 in expenses to the city’s 2016 budget on Monday night (Nov. 16) in a marathon review that involved more than four hours of discussion.

Ultimately, the Board chose to keep six patrol officer positions staffed and opt for a reduction in manpower “through attrition,” based on Fort Smith Police Chief Kevin Lindsey’s recommendation to not fill openings throughout the coming year.

Lindsey told the Board he knew of “four or five sergeants and one corporal,” who would be retiring in 2016. He also noted that a detective on the force had taken a job in Washington, D.C. This means Lindsey will be able to keep six rookie patrol officers, he said, though his department remains short-staffed.

The Board had previously approved 165 sworn positions. However, due to increasing pressure to cut costs to the general fund and find the $2.1 million needed annually to keep the city’s police and fire (LOPFI) contribution fund solvent beyond 2030, Lindsey is making due with just 160.

Now that the Board has signed off on keeping the officers, the city will spend around $360,000 (or $60,000 each based on the combined total of salary and benefits) — “money we don’t have,” according to City Director Tracy Pennartz.

Fiscally, the directors agreed it made the most sense as the city has already invested in training and equipping the officers for duty. As Director Mike Lorenz pointed out, cutting the positions only to later lose more senior officers through attrition would place the city in a position where it would have to rehire.

“You already have three-quarters of a million dollars invested in these guys,” Lorenz added, referring to the statement from Lindsey that it costs around $130,000 to properly train and equip an officer for duty.

In addition to the added police expenses, the Board also approved a $37,000 contribution to the Regional Intermodal Transportation Authority (RITA) for assistance in developing economic opportunities with Fort Smith’s unique rail, Interstate, and river channels. RITA requested $40,000, but the Board chose to go with its previous annual contribution amount.

Also, Tracey Shockley, the city’s internal auditor, won approval on a request to add one intern to her department (budgeted at $19,000).

With the additions in place, city finance director Jennifer Walker will bring a revised budget to the Board for approval in early December.

OTHER BUDGET NOTES
The 2016 budget calls for a 50% reduction in contributions to city employees’ 401(a) retirement accounts. This cut adds around $432,000 in savings to the general fund.

The Board chose to eliminate capital expenditures for the coming year.

General fund revenues for the 2016 budget are estimated at $47 million, a 1.5% increase over the 2015 estimated year-end numbers. Expenses are budgeted at $46.207 million, a 6.5% reduction from the 2015 budget.

The Fort Smith Board of Directors will meet again Tuesday night (Nov. 17) at the Fort Smith Public Schools Service Center for its regular meeting.