City HallTuesday, November 3
Fort Smith directors approve a 13.7% firefighter raise and table $144,000 for Parrot Island
The Daily Fort Smith team
If you know a Fort Smith firefighter, they had a good Monday. With at least 50 firefighters in the room, the Board of Directors unanimously approved a 13.7% pay raise. Directors also voted to start it Jan. 1, 2027, instead of April 11, 2027.
The approved raise is more than double the 6.5% first proposed
Sources: Talk Business & Politics, River Valley Democrat-Gazette
View as table
| Value | |
|---|---|
| Dingman's proposal | 6.5% |
| Approved raise | 13.7% |
- Pay range: $50,052 entry to $120,231 assistant chief first step
- Estimated cost: $1.65 million for the almost 14% raise
- Rejected: 5% increase on alcohol sales, about $500,000 a year
How will the city pay for it? Communications director Josh Buchfink said the money won't come from one source. The city will use "a combination of adjusting transfer amounts, refining revenue, and reducing operating expenses."
The firefighter raise and the Parrot Island request moved through fall
- Sept. 22Fire chief and union head say a 6.5% raise won't stop firefighters leaving.
- Oct. 13Some directors tell staff to find a way to raise fire pay 13.7%.
- Nov. 2Board approves the raise and tables the $144,000 Parrot Island payment.
- Nov. 17Sebastian County intends to consider a matching Parrot Island contribution.
- Jan. 2027The firefighter raise will take effect, moved up from April 11, 2027.
The board also unanimously tabled taking $144,000 from the general fund for Parrot Island Waterpark's outstanding expenses. American Resort Management estimates $287,936 is needed through December, and the city's share is about half. Directors want more detail on what the city and county owe.