Fort Smith Board to Vote on Hiring Firm for Consent Decree Project Management
The Fort Smith Board of Directors is scheduled to vote on October 5 on a recommendation to hire an engineering firm to manage the city's consent decree projects. Following a review by a panel including City Administrator Jeff Dingman and other engineering and water resources directors, Little Rock-based engineering firm Arcadis has been recommended. Arcadis plans to partner with RJN, an Illinois-based firm, for some services. Fort Smith entered into a consent decree in 2015 with the Justice Department, the EPA, and the Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality, committing to repair and upgrade its sewer system due to sewage runoff into local waterways. The city initially agreed to spend over $200 million over 12 years, with an original deadline of January 2, 2027. This deadline was extended in July to June 30, 2038. The EPA mandates annual submission of an updated financial management plan for the consent decree work. The proposed contract with Arcadis will not exceed $2,474,000 for the first year of serv...
