Director Christina Catsavis announces bid to be Fort Smith mayor

Fort Smith Director Christina Catsavis wants to be the city’s next mayor, and believes she will be a “proactive” mayor with priorities that include small business, senior citizens, and helping the city be prepared fiscally to deal with emergencies and opportunities.

Catsavis, who was elected to the city’s seven-person board of directors in November 2022, made her announcement Thursday (Feb. 5) at George’s restaurant, which is owned by a family member.

The board terms that expire Dec. 31, 2026, are Mayor George McGill, and the board’s three at-large members, Directors Catsavis (position 5), Kevin Settle (position 6), and Martin (position 7).

Fort Smith Mayor George McGill has not yet said if he will seek re-election to another four-year term. If Catsavis were to be the next mayor, she would be the second consecutive mayoral first. McGill was the first African-American elected mayor. Fort Smith’s mayor is not the day-to-day manager of the city. The mayor “presides over the City’s Board of Directors and is the formal official for City ceremonies and events,” according to the city.

‘HANDS ON’
In an interview prior to her announcement, Catsavis said the city’s elected leadership “should be shaping the future deliberately, not reacting to crises created by inaction.” She said not being proactive with policies, budgets, and other city matters “often leads to choosing between bad options.” She also said if elected she would be more engaged with city business.

“There is nothing in the law that says the mayor only has to be ceremonial,” she said. “I know typically that’s how it’s worked, but there is nothing that says the mayor can’t be hands-on advocating for the city.”

Catsavis, 41, said she believes the city is doing better in terms of addressing “big generational projects,” but said she wants to bring “leadership that reads the details and understands the fine print … and I think my experience on the board shows that I’m willing to do that and able to do that.”

When asked about a board action she is proud of, she quickly noted an ordinance requiring a board study session before approving spending on projects not already part of a capital improvement plan. The board on Nov. 18 approved an ordinance she pushed that forces non-budgeted capital projects of $100,000 or more to first be considered in a study session before it can be brought before the board for a vote.

For example, she has been a vocal opponent of buying and installing new slides at the Parrot Island Waterpark. She says the water park is a great amenity, but the slide expansion was not given enough consideration before being pushed to the board for a vote. The city’s cost for the new slides has ballooned from $2.1 million to almost $7 million. The board recently approved spending $2.68 million to install the slides. A lawsuit has been filed to block the installation.

She admits to wanting a redo on votes early in her term approving the city’s purchase of a former auto dealership on U.S. 71 South, and the former Whole Hog restaurant building, also in south Fort Smith.

“I should have scrutinized that more,” Catsavis said.

‘DEEP PASSION’
Catsavis, who owns The Smith Jewelry & Living store in Fort Smith, plants herself in the middle between those who don’t believe the city should be involved in parks or amenity development, and those who believe the city should be investing more in parks, trails and other recreational assets..

“We’re supposed to provide programs and enrich the lives of our citizens,” Catsavis said, but every project “needs to be analyzed on a case-by-case basis” to make sure it has a broad benefit, is sustainable, and doesn’t just help a narrow group.

Her other goals include having a senior citizen internship program in the mayor’s office, and a small business council that meets regularly.

Catsavis estimates she will have to raise or spend at least $24,000 to run a competitive race. That was the amount she raised for her citywide run for the director position. Some spending will be necessary, but she believes Fort Smith voters react more to active face-to-face campaigning. She says her face-to-face pitch will be her focus on helping the board and city administration make better decisions.

“I would be a mayor who understands how decisions compound over time,” she said. “I think my experience on the board has prepared me well for that, I think my experience in business has prepared me well for that, and I have a deep passion for the community.”

Catsavis is married to Jonathan Bechtel, and they have an 8-year-old daughter.

THE PROCESS
The filing period for the board positions and the mayoral election begins at noon, July 29, and ends at noon on Aug. 5, according to Fort Smith City Clerk Sherri Gard. Candidate packets will be available at the clerk’s office on May 7.

If there’s only one qualified director candidate for each position, that individual will be declared elected without being on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. If there’s more than one qualified candidate for each position, all candidates will be on the general election ballot. If no candidate wins a majority of the votes cast at the general election, the two candidates with the most votes will be on the Dec. 1 runoff election ballot.