FORT SMITH — City officials announced Friday the implementation of a new organizational structure “designed to improve efficiency and customer service across departments.”
The restructuring was effective Sept. 29, according to a news release from the city. There are no immediate plans for staff reductions, the release states, but city administration and department heads will continue to evaluate opportunities to streamline operations through normal attrition.
No new personnel have been added, and most employee functions remain the same, though supervision and internal reporting structures may have shifted under the new alignment, according to the release.
“After several weeks, our staff is still adjusting to the new alignment, but we’re already seeing improvements in responsiveness and customer service,” Jeff Dingman, acting city administrator, said in the release. “This reorganization is designed to streamline our operations and create a more efficient city workforce, resulting in better service delivery to our residents.”
Under the new structure, several departments have been redefined and realigned, the release states.
A new department, the Department of Public Works, consolidates all field operations crews based at the city’s maintenance facility under one leadership structure. Functions such as water line maintenance; water meter maintenance; sanitary sewer line maintenance; storm drainage maintenance; street and sidewalk repair, construction, and maintenance; and traffic signal and control will now operate under a single department, according to the release.
“Centralizing oversight of these crews allows them to overlap when needed, improving responsiveness and efficiency,” the release states.
Matt Meeker is the director of Public Works, overseeing 190 employees.
The Department of Engineering consolidates all city engineering functions into a single department and improves capital project planning, design and delivery, according to the release. Previously, Fort Smith had two separate engineering teams — one for water and sewer utilities and another for streets and storm drainage construction.
“Centralizing these functions strengthens collaboration, reduces reliance on costly outsourced services and improves coordination with planning and development processes,” the release states. The city is currently seeking a director of engineering to lead the department’s 39 employees.
Another new department, the Department of Water Resources, manages the city’s extensive utility infrastructure, including two water and two wastewater treatment plants, system lift stations, water storage tanks, water transmission facilities and watershed operations. The department oversees water supply contracts, environmental compliance and long-term planning to ensure reliable service and resource sustainability, the release states.
Lance McAvoy is the director of Water Resources, overseeing 125 employees.
Created in 2024, the Department of Citizen Services manages utility accounts, billing and customer service operations from City Hall, according to the release. The department also maintains city facilities, such as City Hall, the Blue Lion and the Carnall Office Building, and leads energy-efficiency projects across city-owned properties.
Joshua Robertson is the director of Citizen Services, which has 36 employees.
The Department of Public Safety Communications serves to separate emergency dispatch services from the Police Department in preparation for the new River Valley Communications Center, led by Director Wes Milam, the release states.
In addition, several city administrative functions were reorganized or consolidated to improve coordination and efficiency, the release states. Changes include combining citywide communications staff; centralizing the Training, Safety, and Risk Management program within the Department of Human Resources; and establishing a citywide Business Analytics team within the Finance Department.
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