Law sets spending limits for University of Arkansas–Fort Smith

The university can spend up to $27,946,966 from its state fund. The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Fund covers employee pay, related employer costs, and university operations. Actual spending cannot exceed available funding or the limit for each spending category. The university must follow applicable state purchasing, budgeting, and financial rules. This spending authority applies from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

The university can spend up to $133,280,000 from its cash funds. The money covers university pay, operations, and other listed expenses. It includes $46,500,000 for campus improvements and $8,000,000 for debt payments. The listed amounts are spending ceilings, not guaranteed funding. Spending requires available money and must stay within each category’s limit and follow applicable state financial rules. This spending authority applies from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

The university may employ up to 1,025 regular employees and 910 temporary or part-time extra-help workers. These limits cover University of Arkansas–Fort Smith positions, including those at the Western Arkansas Area Technical Center. Extra-help workers may be hired when needed and paid from money authorized for that purpose. The law lists maximum salary rates for regular positions. Extra-help pay cannot exceed the applicable job’s legal pay limit. The employee and pay limits apply from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.