Fort Smith Board Candidates Debated City Future
Six contenders for local office discussed downtown growth and a potential change to the city government structure.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in City Hall
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Candidates for the Fort Smith Board of Directors gathered at a recent town hall to address downtown development issues and an upcoming ballot measure. Voters will decide on November 3 whether to transition from a city administrator form of government to a mayor-council system.
Why it matters
The election will determine the future of municipal governance and leadership in Fort Smith for the next four years. Candidates are focused on resolving challenges regarding high rents and low foot traffic that currently impact the downtown area.
Six candidates are vying for two Director-At-Large positions, with winners set to serve four-year terms. The city election will decide the fate of a proposal to shift Fort Smith to a mayor-council system.
The players
Krystal Cadelli
She is a candidate for the Fort Smith Board of Directors, Director-At-Large Position 5.
Lavon Morton
He is a candidate for the Fort Smith Board of Directors, Director-At-Large Position 5.
Quinton Cunningham
He is a candidate for the Fort Smith Board of Directors, Director-At-Large Position 5.
Carl Nevin
He is a candidate for the Fort Smith Board of Directors, Director-At-Large Position 6.
Brian Trumbly
He is a candidate for the Fort Smith Board of Directors, Director-At-Large Position 6.
The details
Candidates Krystal Cadelli, Lavon Morton, and Quinton Cunningham are competing for Position 5, while Carl Nevin, Brian Trumbly, and Casey Millspaugh seek Position 6. During the town hall at the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center, participants debated municipal ordinances and strategies to improve downtown business conditions.
Timeline
October 12, 2026: Six board candidates participated in a town hall event.
October 19, 2026: Early voting begins for the general election.
November 3, 2026: General election for board positions and government structure measure.
Political Context
The proposed ballot measure marks a significant departure from the city administrator form of government that has long defined Fort Smith. Proponents argue this shift is necessary to ensure more consistent leadership, while opposition figures have historically expressed concerns over the concentration of executive authority.
Residents should prepare for the November 3 election, which will dictate both local representation and the fundamental administrative structure of the city. Voters will be tasked with deciding how their municipal government operates, potentially affecting future policy implementation and city services.
The takeaway
The upcoming election offers residents a rare opportunity to directly influence the structural design of their city's leadership. Citizens are encouraged to review the proposed mayor-council system changes ahead of early voting to understand how the new model might impact local ordinance enforcement.
What happens next
Early voting begins on October 19, 2026, followed by the general election on November 3, 2026.
Further reading
For more updates on local legislation and municipal shifts, visit City Hall.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Talk Business & Politics.
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