Fort Smith Board fires City Administrator Geffken

With a unanimous 7-0 vote, the Fort Smith Board of Directors on Tuesday (Dec. 10) fired Fort Smith City Administrator Carl Geffken, who had been in the job more than eight years. The decision was announced after an almost two-hour executive session.

Geffken was not at the meeting Tuesday night. He was in meetings in Little Rock with Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality officials that were scheduled weeks in advance, according to Josh Buchfink, public relations manager for the city.

The city issued this statement following the board vote: “Tonight, the Fort Smith Board of Directors voted unanimously (7-0) to separate employment from the City Administrator Carl Geffken, effective immediately. Deputy City Administrator Jeff Dingman was unanimously appointed as Interim City Administrator to ensure continuity of leadership during this transition. We appreciate the patience and understanding of our residents as we move forward with this leadership change. Further updates will be provided as they become available.”

Director Neal Martin said the directors were able to talk with Geffken during the executive session even though he was not present at the meeting.

“This decision was not one I came to hastily or lightly. Through nearly nine years of service, Carl was the principal architect of a number of successes that improved Fort Smith from managing budgets to hiring numerous department heads to economic development … to making sure the city gets more time for the consent decree. … The conclusion we reached brings me no joy but had to be made for Fort Smith to continue to prosper and grow,” said Director Jarred Rego.

In a recording of the Dec. 3 board meeting, an open microphone caught someone muttering “God these people are stupid,” after remarks from a citizen. Many on social media believe the comment came from Geffken. Nothing has been publicly posted or said that confirms who made the statement. Mayor George McGill and four of the city directors apologized on behalf of the city for the remark.

Martin said the decision to terminate Geffken’s contract was not based solely on the remark and other conditions played a part in the decision, though he did not say what those were.

“This is a sad day for me personally and a sad day for the city of Fort Smith,” said Director Lavon Morton. “Carl Geffken came to this city in very difficult circumstances …, and he worked diligently to try to get us more time on the consent decree. His efforts will prove successful. … Carl and the mayor were critical and the major reason why we got the F35 program even though we were in second place when people from Singapore visited. … It is a sad day. Carl’s accomplishments are many.”

McGill said the board would begin immediately the work to fill the job.

According to Geffken’s contract, his employment as the city administrator may be terminated at any time either with or without cause by a majority vote of the board. However, he may not be terminated between the dates of Jan. 1 and March 1 of any year following a general election at which members of the Board of Directors are elected.

Geffken can only be fired “for cause” if he is charged with a crime of moral turpitude (felony or misdemeanor), according to the contract. The contract states that if Geffken is terminated without cause, the city must pay 12 months of his current salary plus12 months of health, dental and vision insurance premiums. Geffken’s current base salary is $204,513.92 a year.

Geffken was hired to be the Fort Smith city administrator in March 2016 with a salary of $175,000. At the time of his hiring the board voted 5-2, with then Director Keith Lau and Director Kevin Settle voting against doing so. Supporting the Geffken hire were Directors George Catsavis, André Good, Don Hutchings, Mike Lorenz and Tracy Pennartz.

Prior to his employment with the city, Geffken was the chief operating officer, Children and Youth Services, for the County of Berks, Pennsylvania. He’s also served as the city managing director (2010-2012) of Reading, Pa.

The job opened up in July 2015, when City Administrator Ray Gosack resigned suddenly following a period of conflict with the Fort Smith Board related to budget balancing decisions. Gosack held the job for about three years, and was with the city for 16 years.