Fort Smith City Director Christina Catsavis will end her push to shift the hire-fire power with department heads from the city administrator to the board, but she is discouraged about pressure from “CEOs and business leaders” who opposed the effort.

The Fort Smith board after a lengthy debate on Tuesday (June 17) voted 4-2 against Catsavis’ proposal.

The board in 2013 shifted the hire-fire authority for department heads to the city administrator. In 2015 there was an effort to return that authority to the board, but the board voted 4-2 in February 2016 to keep the authority with the city administrator.

Catsavis has in recent months been vocal about a “concentration of power” with the city administrator position, and said allowing board members to hire and fire department heads – including the chief of police and fire chief – would restore balance and improve what she alleges is a toxic environment within the top levels of city management.

“I was passionate about this issue because I reject a culture of fear, intimidation, and political gatekeeping and I remain committed to ensuring that our city government operates with transparency and integrity, and in the best interest of the public. I will continue to advocate for policies that reflect those values,” Catsavis said in a note to Talk Business & Politics.

She also suggested business leaders who opposed her effort to shift the hire-fire authority are less interested in good government “and more interested in maintaining access and influence all without public oversight.” She said business leaders who want to influence the board should show up and speak during the board’s public meetings.

“What they really want is the ability to bypass the board, to shape outcomes behind the scenes without going through the same transparent process the public is held to and it’s exactly the kind of power dynamic we need to challenge if we’re serious about restoring trust in city leadership,” she said.

Director Kevin Settle, the longest-serving city director, disagreed with Catsavis’ opposition to directors being called by business leaders. He said all citizens have the right to call directors and lobby for or against an issue.

“Citizens, any citizen, can call and ask us about any issue,” Settle said. “This is no different than when citizens call us and are for or against a controversial rezoning, for example. … It’s what happens. It’s part of our job.”

Settle also said he is puzzled by statements about an ongoing toxic work environment with top city staff. He said there were issues during the tenure of former City Administrator Carl Geffken, but those improved following Geffken’s firing.

“I haven’t heard anything at all,” he said when asked about problems with city staff. “I’ve had several conversations with them (department heads), and the team is working well together.”

Catsavis used the email interview to weigh in on recent talk about a possible change in the form of city government.

“I believe much of the recent push to change our form of government isn’t truly about improving accountability – it’s about creating new political opportunities for a few individuals who want to run for mayor with more power,” she noted. “That’s not reform; that’s ambition dressed up as policy. We need to focus on fixing the culture within our current system, not handing more control to one person at the expense of checks and balances.”