Fort Smith Board to review camping ordinance, budgets, federal grant plans

The Fort Smith Board of Directors will convene on April 22 to discuss a proposed public camping ordinance intended to balance public safety with compassionate treatment for unsheltered individuals. Director Lee Kemp's ordinance emphasizes outreach and designated camping areas, moving away from the previous prohibition against camping on public property. Legal expert Colby T. Roe expressed concerns about the ordinance's language, suggesting it may lead to arbitrary enforcement and potential violations of due process. Among the significant changes are simplified definitions and a more flexible enforcement policy that prioritizes social services intervention.

The board will also review funding recommendations from the Community Development Advisory Committee for housing and neighborhood development projects. The operating budgets for city departments, including Fire and Transit, will be presented for evaluation. The ordinance proposes restrictions on sleeping in public areas only when safety is compromised, and it allows for designated managed sites like Hope Campus. This new approach seeks to create a balanced response to homelessness while addressing legal and community concerns.