Five -time City Director announces he will not run for reelection amid questions concerning abstention votes
Fort Smith City Director Kevin Settle, the longest-serving member of the Board of Directors, announced he will not seek re-election to a sixth four-year term, ending 20 years of service when his term concludes in December.
The announcement cites personal and family reasons. In a three-page letter to residents,
Settle wrote: “Serving as your city director has been one of the greatest honors of my life… After thoughtful conversations with my family over last Christmas season and continued into 2026, I have decided not to seek re-election for City Director, Position 6, in 2026. This decision was not made lightly. I care deeply about Fort Smith, its people, and its future. My reasons are personal and family-related, and I respectfully ask for privacy regarding those matters.”
Settle, first elected in November 2006, has served five consecutive terms alongside three mayors--Ray Baker, Sandy Sanders, and George McGill--and 21 fellow directors.
In his letter he highlighted community progress during his tenure, including development at Chaffee Crossing (with investments by companies such as Graphic Packaging, Mars, Glatfelter, and ArcBest), establishment and growth of the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education, work toward completing Interstate 49 and the Arkansas River bridge, voter-backed improvements to police and fire services that helped achieve an ISO rating of 1, parks expansions, landfill and solid-waste upgrades, stronger city finances, and securing the Foreign Military Sales F-35 pilot training mission at Ebbing Air National Guard Base. He also pointed to the success of Parrot Island Waterpark.
His record has included notable controversies.
Settle has been a leading advocate for Parrot Island Waterpark expansions. In 2024, the board approved a $4.2 million slide purchase after Sebastian County declined to share costs; installation bids later pushed the projected total above $6.3 million, with the city already having spent about $3.55 million.
Some directors called for selling the slides to limit losses, while county officials criticized the city for moving ahead without its partner. Settle has argued the park delivers long-term benefits, draws more than 100,000 visitors annually, and can generate revenue to offset costs, and he has supported shifting full operational control to the city.
More recently, Settle twice abstained on board votes in May and July 2026 that sought to place a change-of-government question on the November ballot. The proposal would have asked voters whether to shift from the current council-manager system (with a city administrator as chief executive) to a strong-mayor form.
The measures failed to receive the four affirmative votes required, prompting criticism from some residents and activists who said the abstentions denied citizens a direct say.
Settle’s electoral history reflects both strong support and occasional challenges. He defeated Joe Davis in 2006 (63.41%–36.59%) and Eric Arthur in 2010 (81.6%). He ran unopposed in 2014 and 2018. In 2022 he defeated challenger A. Drew Smith with roughly 61% of the vote.
Of his five races, he therefore ran unopposed twice.
