Fort Smith operates under a city administrator form of government in which the governing body is composed of a mayor and seven board directors. Four of the directors represent wards of the City of Fort Smith, while the mayor and the other three directors are elected by the broader population of the city. Terms of service are four years in duration, with off-set elections. The Board of Directors is chaired by the mayor and oversees matters of policy and budget. The board employs a city administrator to oversee daily operations for the city.
Head Official: Mayor C. Ray Baker, Jr. (unaffiliated) (since 1991; current term expires 2006)
Total Number of City Employees: 850 (2005)
City Information: City of Fort Smith, 623 Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72901; mailing address PO Box 1908, Fort Smith, AR 72902; telephone (479)785-2801