City of Fort Smith

What City of Fort Smith does

The City of Fort Smith is a municipal government incorporated on December 24, 1842, and headquartered at 623 Garrison Avenue in Fort Smith, Arkansas. It serves approximately 90,000 residents across 68+ square miles of Sebastian County, with a metropolitan region of nearly 300,000 that looks to Fort Smith for healthcare, education, employment, and retail services. Governance rests with an elected Board of Directors and Mayor George McGill; the city employs 501–1,000 people across departments including Water Resources, Public Works, Police, Fire, Parks & Recreation, Transit, Solid Waste, Planning & Zoning, and Engineering.

Revenue is generated primarily through a 2% city share of a 9.5% combined sales tax (6.5% state, 1% Sebastian County), residential and commercial utility billing for water and sewer via the PayIt Fort Smith platform, franchise fees and business licenses, and wholesale water sales to regional municipalities (Van Buren, Mountainburg, Winslow) which produced $51.74 million in cumulative revenue from 2020–2025. Distribution reaches residents through in-person City Hall service centers, online self-service portals, the Click & Fix mobile app for non-emergency issue reporting, transit services, and Cable Access Channel 214. Major employers anchored in the city include Mercy Hospital Fort Smith, Baptist Health, Fort Smith Public Schools (14,000+ students), University of Arkansas Fort Smith (7,000+ students), Bachoco O.K. Foods, ArcBest, and ABB, with over 11,000 companies operating within city limits.

Core infrastructure consists of the Lake Fort Smith and Lee Creek Water Treatment Plants, P Street and Massard water reclamation facilities, a $1.4 million solar canopy at the downtown farmers market that sells electricity back to Oklahoma Gas and Electric (saving approximately $47,000 annually), and a planned $5.2 million water meter modernization within a broader $600 million water infrastructure proposal. The city operates under a 2015 EPA Consent Decree requiring comprehensive sanitary sewer overflow remediation and is pursuing up to $360 million in bond financing for capital improvements. A September 29, 2025 organizational restructuring and December 15, 2025 City Administrator recruitment reflect active efforts to address budget deficits projected through 2026.

Name

City of Fort Smith

Legal name

City of Fort Smith

Website

https://fortsmithar.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1842

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The City of Fort Smith is a municipal government serving approximately 90,000 residents in western Arkansas through utilities, public safety, transit, parks, and community services, funded by sales tax, utility billing, and wholesale water sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Municipal Government Services

NAICS

Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (221310), Sewage Treatment Facilities (221320), Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131), Waste Treatment and Disposal (56221)

SIC

Water Supply (4941), Sanitary Services (4950), Water, Sewer, Pipeline, Comm & Power Line Construction (1623), Refuse Systems (4953), Pumps & Pumping Equipment (3561)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration (BPAIACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Works & Municipal Infrastructure (Streets, Stormwater, Facilities) (BPAIACAF), Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Reduction & Leak Detection (EUANAAAF), Treatment Plant Asset Programs (Process Assets, Electrical/Mechanical Systems) (EUANALAL), NRW Data Management & Water Balance (IWA Methodology, GIS/SCADA Integration, Digital Twins) (EUANAKAJ), Water Treatment Plant Construction (Drinking Water) (IMAFAGAA), Pump Stations, Lift Stations & Booster Stations Construction (IMAFAGAD)

Keywords

• Municipal water utilities
• Wastewater treatment services
• Solid waste collection
• Public transit services
• Community development

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Smith

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Sales Tax Revenue: The city collects 2% sales tax (from total 9.5% combined rate: 6.5% state, 2% city, 1% county). Tax allocations include 1/8-cent for Police Department, 5/8-cent for Consent Decree/sewer improvements, and remaining portions for streets, bridges, and drainage. Proposed reallocation would direct 3/8-cent to Consent Decree work.
2. Wholesale Water Sales: Fort Smith sells water to regional providers including Van Buren, Mountainburg, and Winslow. Generated $51.74 million in wholesale revenue between 2020-2025, with Van Buren accounting for nearly half. Proposed agreements require wholesale users to reduce water loss to 20% within five years.
3. Solar Energy Sales: Solar canopy generates electricity sold back to Oklahoma Gas and Electric (OG&E). Electricity sales cover operation and maintenance costs while saving the city approximately $47,000 annually in energy costs.
4. Utility Billing: Residential and commercial utility billing for water, sewer, and related services through PayIt Fort Smith platform.
5. Franchise Fees and Business Licenses: Revenue from business licensing and franchise fees from utility providers operating within city limits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The City of Fort Smith is a municipal government providing essential public services to its nearly 90,000 residents and the surrounding metropolitan region of approximately 300,000. Core offerings include water treatment and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment (under a 2015 EPA Consent Decree), solid waste collection, public transit, police and fire protection, parks and recreation, building permits and licensing, and digital resident-service platforms (Click & Fix, CityView). The city also operates wholesale water supply to neighboring municipalities and an RNG fleet fueling program.

Product overview

City of Fort Smith provides digital resident services including the Click & Fix mobile/web application for non-emergency issue reporting, the CityView Portal for permits and licensing management, an online FOIA request submission system, and a renewable natural gas (RNG) fleet fueling partnership. These are government service delivery tools rather than commercial products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Water Utility Service Treatment, distribution, and metering of potable water for residential and commercial customers within Fort Smith city limits, including wholesale supply to neighboring municipalities (Van Buren, Mountainburg, Winslow).
• Wastewater (Sewer) Collection and Treatment Service Sanitary sewer collection and treatment for Fort Smith residents and businesses, including water reclamation at P Street and Massard facilities, with major infrastructure upgrades required under a 2015 EPA Consent Decree to address sewer overflows.
• Solid Waste Collection Service Residential and commercial trash and recycling collection service throughout Fort Smith city limits, operated by the city's Solid Waste Services department.
• Fort Smith Transit Service Public transportation including fixed-route bus service throughout Fort Smith, curbside paratransit service for riders with disabilities, and charter services for group travel.
• Police Department Services Law enforcement, crime prevention, and public safety services for Fort Smith residents and businesses, funded in part by a 1/8-cent sales tax allocation.
• Fire Department Services Fire suppression, emergency response, fire prevention, and fire marshal services for Fort Smith residents and businesses, including fire station locator and citizens fire resources.
• Parks and Recreation Services Operation and maintenance of city parks, pools, splash pads, trails and greenways (approximately 20 miles of paved multi-use trails), athletic facilities, and recreational programming for Fort Smith residents.
• Fort Smith Click & Fix (Issue Reporting App) Mobile and web-based service request application that allows Fort Smith residents to report non-emergency issues (potholes, streetlights, drainage, missed trash), attach photos and location data, and track issue resolution progress.
• Fort Smith CityView Online Permitting Portal Online portal enabling residents and businesses to apply for permits, check zoning, submit inspections, manage property-related requests, and complete licensing and code enforcement activities digitally.
• FOIA Online Records Request Portal Online Freedom of Information Act request submission and tracking system managed by the Chief Information Officer for public records requests from citizens, journalists, and organizations.
• Parrot Island Waterpark City-owned waterpark operated under a management contract with American Resort Management; offers waterpark recreation with five waterslides and related amenities (subject to ongoing legal dispute regarding waterslide installation).
• Building Services (Permits, Inspections, Code Enforcement) Building permits, inspections, and code enforcement services for residential and commercial construction projects within Fort Smith, accessed via the CityView online portal.

Quantifiable outcome

• $47,000 annual energy cost savings from solar canopy
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered moderate, minor and core.

• Clean Energy Fuels Corp.moderateTechnology or Integration · 4 March 2026City of Fort Smith partnered with Clean Energy Fuels Corp. for renewable natural gas (RNG) fueling infrastructure. Fort Smith is one of multiple municipalities (including City of Phoenix, Arlington Transit, City of Scottsdale) to sign RNG fueling agreements covering millions of gallons annually for natural gas-powered vehicles in municipal fleets.
• Cisterna, ItalyminorOthersSister City partnership linked by shared history of General William O. Darby, a Fort Smith native and Army Rangers founder who led liberation of Cisterna during WWII. Partnership fosters goodwill, cultural exchange, and ongoing relations between cities.
• Nago-Torbole, ItalyminorOthersSister City partnership formed in April 2023 to honor shared history with General William O. Darby, who was killed near Nago-Torbole in April 1945. Partnership includes joint events like the Col Darby 40 Mile Ranger Challenge.
• Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority (FCRA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFCRA oversees development of approximately 7,000 surplus acres from Fort Chaffee military installation. Works with city and private developers to create well-designed, high-quality developments with modern amenities at Chaffee Crossing.
• American Resort ManagementmoderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWaterpark management company contracted to operate Parrot Island Waterpark. Contract extended for 2026 season with Board approval. Management contract covers waterpark operations, maintenance, and guest services.
• Fort Smith Regional Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe city's economic development services are led by the Fort Smith Regional Chamber, which provides business consultation, networking events, recruitment services, and economic development support for the community.
• Oklahoma Gas and Electric (OG&E)moderateTechnology or IntegrationElectric utility purchasing electricity generated by city's $1.4 million solar canopy at downtown farmers market. Sales to OG&E cover operation and maintenance costs of the solar installation.
• Fort Smith Regional AlliancemoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional economic development organization partnering with the city for business recruitment and regional development initiatives.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• City of Fayetteville, Arkansas: Another mid-sized Arkansas municipal government operating water/wastewater utilities, sewer systems, sales tax-funded public safety, and parks/recreation services for ~95,000 residents. Most direct comparable in scale, geography, and service mix to Fort Smith.
• City of Van Buren, Arkansas: Adjacent Arkansas municipality and Fort Smith's largest wholesale water customer (~half of $51.74M 2020-2025 wholesale revenue). Operates its own water distribution, sewer, and municipal services for ~23,000 residents, making it a directly comparable — and customer-overlapping — peer.
• City of Springdale, Arkansas: Northwest Arkansas municipal government serving ~90,000 residents with comparable water/wastewater utilities, parks, transit, and sales-tax-funded services. Comparable population, service mix, and regulatory environment to Fort Smith.
• City of Rogers, Arkansas: Northwest Arkansas municipal government of similar population (~70,000+) operating water utilities, sewer, parks, and economic development programs. Directly comparable in service portfolio and Arkansas municipal regulatory framework.
• City of Bentonville, Arkansas: Arkansas municipal government offering water/wastewater utilities, parks, transit, and economic development. Comparable in service mix and Arkansas regulatory framework, though with stronger commercial tax base tied to Walmart HQ.
• City of Russellville, Arkansas: Smaller Arkansas municipal government along the Arkansas River operating water treatment, sewer, parks, and sales-tax-funded services. Comparable service portfolio and state regulatory environment at smaller scale (~30,000 residents).

Broad incumbents

• City of Little Rock, Arkansas: Arkansas state capital and largest city (~200,000+ residents). Operates water/wastewater utilities (Central Arkansas Water is partly associated), sewer, parks, transit, and the full range of municipal services — broader incumbent operating at greater scale in the same state.
• American Water Works Company: Largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility serving ~14 million people across 14 states. Provides a benchmark for the operational model, capital intensity, and rate structure that Fort Smith runs municipally through its water and reclamation plants.

Regional players

• City of Joplin, Missouri: Mid-sized municipal government in the adjacent Four States region of Missouri with comparable water/wastewater utilities, sales tax structure, parks, and public works. Similar population (~50,000) and regional economic profile, providing a cross-border peer benchmark.
• City of Muskogee, Oklahoma: Oklahoma municipal government east of Fort Smith along the Arkansas River corridor, operating water/wastewater utilities, parks, and municipal services for ~37,000 residents. Comparable regional scale and cross-state municipal utility operations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ftsmithark
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@CityofFortSmithArkansas
• Facebookfacebook.com/FTSmithAR
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cityoffortsmith/posts/?feedView=all
• Instagraminstagram.com/fortsmithar/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about City of Fort Smith