I have faithfully served as your city director and feel that I am very well informed about the vision for our city. I have the experience and leadership necessary to guide us through the next several years. Some key highlights of my term include:
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Continued city growth that has brought in new businesses to our city while retaining our existing businesses
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Residential, industrial, and I-49 growth in Chaffee Crossing
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Wet weather, drainage, and street improvements
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Sewer and water plant treatment expansions
Fire station upgrades, expansion, and new equipment
Many park expansions throughout our wonderful city
Parrot Island Water Park and its expansions
Airport runway expansion
More About Kevin
In addition to being a faithful attendee of numerous city related meetings throughout his fifteen years of public service, Director Settle is actively involved in local and state civic organizations. He serves on the Executive Committee of the Arkansas Municipal League. This organization provides a voice for our city in state matters. Kevin also serves on a statewide cybersecurity taskforce. The job of that taskforce is to look at ways to ensure cities are safe from cyber-attacks. Kevin supports numerous non-profit organizations in the area including serving as a member and past president of the Noon Kiwanis Club. He is also a current member of the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club Alumni and board member of the Western Arkansas Planning and Development District. When not working and serving as city director, Kevin enjoys being an active season ticket holder and enthusiastic fan of the University of Arkansas Fort Smith athletic program. He also enjoys building, installing, and programming his family’s popular annual Settle Family Christmas Light Show. Kevin, his wife Terri, and their daughters, Katie, and Rachel are lifelong residents of Fort Smith. He is a 1992 graduate of Southside High School, 1994 graduate of Westark Community College and 1996 graduate of the University of Arkansas Fayetteville with a B.S. Chemical Engineering Degree. He has also earned a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification. Currently, Settle is employed as Plant Manager for Arkansas Poly & Printing.Q&A With Kevin Settle
What do you think are the top challenges facing Fort Smith?
As we have seen throughout the country, inflation is also hurting the citizens of Fort Smith. It’s affecting the services of the City of Fort Smith with increased cost of goods and services. As an elected official, it’s important that I continue to guide our budget in a way that makes best use of tax payer funds.
Another challenge is the consent decree. I want to continue navigating the consent decree and help ensure that the citizens of Fort Smith stay informed as we tackle this ongoing issue. It’s also extremely important that we continue construction of the new 48” water supply line from Lake Fort Smith.
The challenge of homelessness in our city, especially around downtown, is also impacting many citizens. We need to come together and come up with meaningful solutions to tackle this problem.
What do you think are the top opportunities for Fort Smith?
Our biggest opportunity is the Foreign Military Sales mission at the 188th. This will be a transformative project that will impact all citizens of Fort Smith. The economic impact of this mission could be as much as 1 billion dollars per year. I fully support this mission and will do everything I can do to support it.
The fact we own our water supply is a positive economic driver that will allow for current businesses to grow while also attracting new business to Fort Smith. In addition, the completion of I-49 from Alma to Chaffee Crossing will expand our intermodal transportation capabilities and enhance the existing ports along the Arkansas River. This will make Fort Smith a major economic driver for goods in the region and the country.
Growing our parks and recreation system is an opportunity for everyone. Plans to continue expansion at Parrot Island Waterpark, along with our other city parks is a must over the next few years. Reimaging and updating the Creekmore Park pool and bathhouse and creating a true downtown amphitheater along the Arkansas River is something I am determined to make happen. A successful community must provide these types of amenities to its citizens. It promotes healthy living and provides much needed entertainment.
Continued growth and expansion of both the Arkansas Colleges of Health and Education and the University of Arkansas Fort Smith is also a great opportunity for our city. I will continue my support of these institutions because they provide so much to Fort Smith. From providing a steady stream of quality graduates into our work force, to establishing Fort Smith as one of the premier medical schools in the country, these two institutions are changing our city and region for the better.
Where would you like to see Fort Smith in 5 years?
I would like to see Fort Smith thriving with new businesses and families. In five years, I want to continue seeing and hearing F-35’s and F-16’s at the 188th. I want to see expanded parks and trails all over the city. I want to see more events and festivals along the Arkansas River in a new venue. I want to see us have the consent decree solved. I want to see Fort Smith succeed.
What can you do as a board member to get it there?
As your elected board member, I can do many things to help guide the city over the next five years. I want to continue to be a strong voice and assist in managing a balanced budget that allows for continued growth of our city. I can make sure that our sales tax dollars will continue to be used for streets, drainage, fire, police, parks, and the consent decree. As I have done, I will continue to work with our federal congressional delegation to see what opportunities there are for an agreeable solution to our consent decree.
I will use my experience and background to help lead us through the next 5 years.
