Fort Smith mayoral candidate Dan Williams says city hall needs better leadership, more transparency, and fairer attention to every ward. He made the case in a recent interview with Conduit News.
Williams has pastored in North Fort Smith for 18 years. He is an Army National Guard veteran and holds a degree in human resource development from the University of Arkansas. He said he became involved after nearly four years of attending city meetings, prompted by school closures and rising water and sewer rates in his part of town.
He pointed to the city’s 21% employee turnover rate, saying some cities manage rates as low as 10%, and blamed the gap on leadership. Williams helped gather signatures for the November ballot measure that would move Fort Smith to a strong-mayor form of government. He said the change would give voters one official they can hold accountable.
Williams said residents raise the issue of transparency most often. He cited the water park project, which began as a $2 million city commitment and is now projected at $6.5 to $8 million. He said that is small compared with a $350–500 million water line and an $800 million consent decree. On statewide Issue 3, Williams said he has “huge concerns,” questioning what oversight would look like in a city that hasn’t handled its money well.
Williams is one of seven candidates in the race, the most in city history, to become Fort Smith’s 50th mayor.
Election Day is November 3.
More information is at danielwilliamsformayor.com.
