Hot Springs Civic Brief

Hot Springs Board of Directors

March 19, 2024 Civic Briefing

Hot Springs Board Approves $34.6M Wastewater Plant Contract, Purchases $866K in Collection Vehicles and Equipment

The Hot Springs Board of Directors approved $36,013,390.19 in total spending at its March 19, 2024 meeting, led by a $34,563,000 construction contract for Davidson Drive Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements, plus $478,684.28 for two residential garbage trucks, $387,402.62 for a commercial garbage truck, $304,143.00 for smart parking technology, $149,506.15 for traffic signal equipment, $67,850.00 for fencing at the Community Resource Center, and $62,804.14 for a skid steer loader.

Hot Springs Board of Directors Regular Meeting March 19, 2024 Confidence: High Independent — not affiliated with the City of Hot Springs
Published: May 17, 2026 · Last updated: May 17, 2026
View source notes Watch meeting ↗

The short version

  • The Board awarded a $34,563,000 construction contract to Max Foote Construction Company, LLC to improve the Davidson Drive Wastewater Treatment Plant, including a UV disinfection upgrade.
  • The Board approved the purchase of three garbage collection vehicles — two residential rear-load and one commercial front-load — from River City Hydraulics, Inc. for a combined $866,086.90.
  • The Board approved a $304,143.00 agreement with IPS Group, Inc. to install smart parking technology in the city, including a budget adjustment of that amount.
  • All 15 substantive votes were unanimous (5-0); the March 5, 2024 meeting minutes were delayed because a director identified a possible vote-count error in the draft.
  • City Manager Bill Burrough presented a State of the City report citing 9.3 million annual visitors, $19.5 million in sales tax revenue, and preparations for the April 8 solar eclipse, which is projected to bring 337,000 visitors to the region.

By the numbers

Total identified spending
$36,013,390
Votes taken
16
includes procedural votes
Unanimous votes
15
Largest single item
$34,563,000
Davidson Drive Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements CMAR Contract
Emergency / ratification items
0
Resident questions unanswered
0

Money approved

Item Amount Vendor Vote Source
Davidson Drive Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements CMAR Contract
 $34,563,000 Max Foote Construction Company, LLC 5-0 item:19
Purchase of Residential Rear-load Collection Vehicles (2)
 $478,684 River City Hydraulics, Inc. 5-0 item:10
Purchase of Commercial Front Load Collection Vehicle
 $387,403 River City Hydraulics, Inc. 5-0 item:11
Smart Parking Technology Agreement
budget transfer
$304,143 IPS Group, Inc. 5-0 item:18
Purchase of Traffic Signal Equipment
 $149,506 Temple, Inc. 5-0 item:16
Community Resource Center Perimeter Fencing
 $67,850 Green Family Holdings, LLC d/b/a Jacor Construction 5-0 item:15
Purchase of Bobcat Skid Steer Loader
 $62,804 Hugg and Hall Equipment Company 5-0 item:12
Total identified spending $36,013,390

Approved without separate discussion

These items passed without individual debate as part of the consent agenda.

  • Davidson Drive Wastewater Treatment Plant — $34.6M construction contract
    Vote: 5-0 · $34,563,000 · Max Foote Construction Company, LLC
    item:19
  • Smart Parking Technology Agreement with IPS Group, Inc.
    Vote: 5-0 · $304,143 · IPS Group, Inc.
    item:18
  • Nuisance Declaration and Condemnation at 353 Mound Street
    Vote: 5-0 · No cost specified in the record.
    item:17
  • Purchase of Collection Vehicles (3 units)
    Vote: 5-0 · $866,087 · River City Hydraulics, Inc.
    item:10
  • Airport Taxiway Reconstruction Work Order
    Vote: 5-0 · No cost specified in the record. · Garver, LLC
    item:13
  • Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Grant Application
    Vote: 5-0 · The record does not show a city spending commitment at this step.
    item:9

Locations affected

  • Davidson Drive (Wastewater Treatment Plant)
    CMAR contract awarded for plant improvements and UV disinfection upgrade.
    Status: Planned
  • 353 Mound Street
    353 Mound Street
    Structure declared a nuisance and condemned.
    Status: Confirmed
  • Community Resource Center
    109 Hobson
    Perimeter fencing and gate equipment approved for installation.
    Status: Scheduled
  • Hot Springs Memorial Field Airport
    Engineering work order approved for taxiway alternatives analysis (D, K, L) and design (A, B, C).
    Status: Planned
  • City parking areas (unspecified locations)
    Smart parking technology agreement approved.
    Status: Planned

Watch list

Open follow-up issues we'll check on in future briefings.

Tabled March 5, 2024 minutes — vote count discrepancy

Open

The Board tabled approval of the March 5, 2024 meeting minutes after Director Beard identified a possible vote-count discrepancy on item R-24-44, which was recorded as 5-2 but believed to be 4-3. This item remains unresolved and will require correction at a future meeting.

Why it matters
Accurate vote records are essential for maintaining the integrity of Board meeting minutes and the public record.
Next check
Monitor for when the minutes are brought back for approval and the vote count is corrected.
First raised: March 19, 2024 briefing

Davidson Drive Wastewater Treatment Plant — funding and timeline not disclosed

Open

The $34,563,000 CMAR contract for Davidson Drive Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements was approved without public disclosure of the project timeline or the funding source and financing structure.

Why it matters
Large capital projects affect city budgets and resident services; transparency about funding sources, timelines, and project drivers helps the public understand priorities and financial commitments.
Next check
Check the full contract documents or subsequent Board meeting records for project timeline, funding source, and capacity/compliance rationale.
First raised: March 19, 2024 briefing

Smart parking technology — location and contract term not specified

Open

The $304,143 smart parking agreement with IPS Group, Inc. does not identify which city parking locations are covered, the contract term, or what specific technology features (sensors, mobile pay, meters) are included.

Why it matters
Residents and businesses using city parking need to know which areas are affected and what technology changes to expect.
Next check
Check for follow-up Board materials, contracts, or vendor announcements that specify the implementation scope and location details.
First raised: March 19, 2024 briefing

Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Grant — amount and local match not disclosed

Open

The Board authorized filing and accepting the 2024 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Implementation Projects Grant without disclosing the amount requested, any required local match, or specific programs to be funded.

Why it matters
Grant awards can represent significant funding for city services but may carry local cost-share obligations; transparency helps the public understand the financial commitment and the programs being supported.
Next check
Monitor for grant award announcement and follow-up Board materials detailing the grant amount, local match, and program details.
First raised: March 19, 2024 briefing

Source notes

This briefing is based on the public records below. Every claim above can be traced back to one or more of these sources.

Confidence: High

Complete meeting record available including minutes, agenda, video transcript, and 21 parsed agenda items with no discrepancies in source materials.

How we know this
  • We do not invent facts.
  • We cite source records.
  • We distinguish what happened from what remains unclear.
  • We use neutral language.
  • We correct errors when found. See corrections.