Fort Smith, ARK — The Fort Smith Board of Directors voted unanimously to terminate City Administrator Carl Geffken on Tuesday, following an incident during a public meeting last week in which Geffken was caught making disparaging comments about a member of the public.
Geffken, who had served as the city’s top administrator since 2016, was overheard on a hot microphone during the board’s meeting on December 3, calling a speaker “stupid” after she voiced her opposition to a proposed utility advisory committee. The remark was made in reference to Karen Fodge, a local resident who questioned the necessity of the committee during a public comment period.
The comment — “These people are stupid” — was not directed at Fodge specifically but was picked up by the microphone and became a focal point of controversy after the meeting. Although Geffken was not visible on camera at the time, the voice was clearly heard by those present, and the incident quickly gained attention.
In response, the board convened a special executive session on Wednesday to discuss Geffken’s future. Upon returning to the public meeting, Board Member Christina Catsavis motioned to terminate Geffken’s employment immediately. The motion passed with unanimous support from the board, and the decision was met with applause from citizens in attendance.
“It was not an easy decision,” said Board Member Jarred Rego, who expressed his regret but stressed the importance of the action. “This is for the good of the city.”
Board Member Lavon Morton also expressed sadness over the outcome, calling it a “difficult day” for both Geffken and the city. While many on the board acknowledged Geffken’s years of service, his leadership during his tenure, and the challenges of managing the city, they also emphasized the importance of maintaining respect for public input.
“It’s not about the person, it’s about the principle,” said Board Member George Catsavis. “This is a sad day, but we have to stand by our values.”
During the meeting, Catsavis took the opportunity to personally apologize to Fodge for the comments made by Geffken. He thanked Fodge for speaking up at the meeting and stressed that residents have the right to voice their opinions without fear of being belittled. “It takes courage to stand before the government and express your thoughts,” Catsavis said. “Your opinions matter, and I promise you this won’t happen again.”
Christina Catsavis, who had spoken privately with Fodge after the incident, also offered a public apology. “As women, we are not stupid,” she said, addressing both Fodge and the broader audience. “Your opinions matter, and I hope you’ll feel welcome here to speak out again.”
Geffken, who had served as the city administrator since 2016, earned an annual salary of $204,514. His abrupt departure will leave the city with an interim administrator, Deputy City Administrator Jeff Dingman, who will step in to lead the city’s operations in the short term.
The decision to remove Geffken, while widely supported by the board, marks a turning point in Fort Smith’s leadership, and raises questions about accountability and professionalism in local government. The incident also underscores the impact of public officials’ words and actions, particularly in an era where every public meeting can be recorded and scrutinized.
As Fort Smith moves forward, residents and leaders alike will be watching to see how the city manages this transition and what lessons are learned from this highly publicized controversy.