Hot Springs Board of Directors

June 18, 2024 Civic Briefing

Hot Springs Board Approves $301K Lake Ouachita Water Project Change Order, Rejects Housing Authority Appointment

The Board approved a $300,730 change order for engineering oversight of the Lake Ouachita Water Supply Project by a 5-2 vote, rejected a Housing Authority commissioner appointment 2-5, delayed a charter transportation permit decision, and passed nine items on the consent agenda unanimously.

Hot Springs Board of Directors Regular Meeting June 18, 2024 Confidence: High Independent — not affiliated with the City of Hot Springs

Published: May 17, 2026 · Last updated: May 17, 2026

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The short version

The Board awarded a $300,730 contract amendment to Crist Engineers, Inc. for construction management and inspection services on the Lake Ouachita Water Supply Project — the only spending action at this meeting — passing 5-2 over two dissenting votes.
The Board rejected the confirmation of Carmen George to Position 1 on the Hot Springs Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, with the vote failing 2-5.
The Board delayed a decision on a charter transportation permit for J.J.'s Charter Service, tabling the item unanimously 7-0.
The Board approved out-of-state travel for up to three board members to attend the National League of Cities City Summit in November 2024; an amendment to limit attendance to two people was proposed but failed for lack of a second.
Nine consent-agenda items passed 7-0 without separate discussion, covering financial statements, wastewater agreements, airport hangar leases, a parking system amendment, a solid waste asset transfer, a federal housing grant application, and a cybersecurity software procurement.

By the numbers

Total identified spending

$300,730

Votes taken

includes procedural votes

Unanimous votes

Largest single item

$300,730

Lake Ouachita Water Supply Project Change Order #2

Emergency / ratification items

Resident questions unanswered

Money approved

Item	Amount	Vendor	Vote	Source
Lake Ouachita Water Supply Project Change Order #2	$300,730	Crist Engineers, Inc.	5-2	`item:17`
Total identified spending	$300,730

Major decisions

Lake Ouachita Water Supply Project — Engineering Contract Amendment

Item: Bid award — the Board approved Change Order #2 to an existing contract with Crist Engineers, Inc. for construction management and inspection services on the Lake Ouachita Water Supply Project.
Vote: 5-2
Cost: $300,730
Vendor / responsible: Crist Engineers, Inc.
Discussion level: Brief Brief presentation
Resident impact: This change order funds continued engineering oversight of a project tied to the city's long-term water supply from Lake Ouachita. The record does not specify a project completion timeline or identify which water customers are served.
What the Board said or did: Staff presented engineering details supporting the change order. The record does not document the specific reasons the two dissenting directors voted against it.
What remains unclear: The basis for the two dissenting votes is not explained in the available record. The overall contract value and total project cost to date are not shown.
Source: item:17

Housing Authority Board Commissioner Appointment — Carmen George

Item: Confirmation vote on the appointment of Carmen George to Position 1 on the Hot Springs Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.
Vote: 2-5
Cost: No cost specified in the record.
Vendor / responsible: n/a
Discussion level: Brief Brief presentation
Resident impact: Position 1 on the Housing Authority Board remains vacant or unfilled pending a new nomination. The record does not indicate when a replacement candidate will be put forward.
What the Board said or did: Carmen George was present. The record does not document the reasons the majority voted against confirmation.
What remains unclear: The basis for rejection is not explained in the available record. No timeline for a new nomination is shown.
Source: item:19

Out-of-State Travel — National League of Cities City Summit

Item: Authorization for up to three board members to travel out of state to the National League of Cities City Summit in November 2024, as required by city code H.S.C. 52-1-5.
Vote: 7-0
Cost: No cost specified in the record.
Vendor / responsible: n/a
Discussion level: Brief Brief presentation
Resident impact: Up to three board members will attend a national municipal conference in November 2024. Travel costs are not itemized in the available record.
What the Board said or did: The City Manager explained the purpose of the summit. A director proposed an amendment to cap attendance at two rather than three; the amendment failed for lack of a second, and the resolution passed as written authorizing three attendees.
What remains unclear: Travel cost estimates and which board members will attend are not stated in the available record.
Source: item:18

Charter Transportation Permit — J.J.'s Charter Service (Tabled)

Item: The Board delayed a decision on the application of Jason Bennett d/b/a J.J.'s Charter Service for a charter services transportation permit. The item was tabled 7-0.
Vote: 7-0
Cost: No cost specified in the record.
Vendor / responsible: Jason Bennett d/b/a J.J.'s Charter Service
Discussion level: Brief Brief presentation
Resident impact: The permit decision is postponed. The record does not state a rescheduled date or describe the service's planned operating area.
What the Board said or did: The applicant was present. The record does not document the reason the Board delayed the decision.
What remains unclear: The reason for tabling and the next scheduled date for consideration are not shown in the available record.
Source: item:16

Police Department Ford Maverick Procurement

Item: Ordinance approving the procurement of a Ford Maverick vehicle for the Hot Springs Police Department, including a budget adjustment.
Vote: 7-0
Cost: No dollar amount specified in the available record.
Vendor / responsible: n/a
Discussion level: Brief Brief presentation
Resident impact: The Police Department will receive one additional vehicle.
What the Board said or did: The Public Works Director explained the procurement. No further discussion is documented.
What remains unclear: The purchase price and funding source are not detailed in the available record.
Source: item:20

Approved without separate discussion

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

Food Service Cart Franchise — Elote Hub

Vote: 7-0 · No cost specified in the record. · Jorge Vargas d/b/a Elote Hub

item:21

Locations affected

Lake Ouachita

Change Order #2 for construction management and inspection services on the Lake Ouachita Water Supply Project approved.

Status: Confirmed
Hot Springs Memorial Field Airport

Three hangar lease agreements approved for Hangar A-10 #4 (BAJ Investments), Hangar A-10 Unit #2/7 (Alpha 10 Aviation), and Hangar A-6 (Alpha 10 Aviation).

Status: Confirmed
Westwood Village

Memorandum of Agreement approved for replacement of wastewater facilities with the Westwood Village Sewer Facilities Board.

Status: Confirmed
Gulpha Basin Pump Station

Phase 1 of the Force Main project is nearing completion and Phase 2 bidding is opening shortly.

Status: Planned
Transportation Depot facility

Roof replacement and plaster and paint repairs completed.

Status: Completed

Watch list

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

Housing Authority Board Position 1 Appointment

Open

The Housing Authority Board Position 1 appointment remains open after the Carmen George nomination failed 2-5. The record does not show when the mayor or appointing authority will put forward a new candidate.

Why it matters: The Housing Authority Board Position 1 remains vacant pending a new nomination decision.
Next check: Monitor for new nomination announcement from the mayor or appointing authority.

J.J.'s Charter Service Transportation Permit

Open

The J.J.'s Charter Service transportation permit was tabled without a stated return date. The record does not show when the Board will take it up again.

Why it matters: The permit decision remains pending with no scheduled return date documented.
Next check: Check next meeting agenda for rescheduled permit consideration.

Lake Ouachita Water Supply Project Change Order Dissenting Votes

Open

The two dissenting votes on the Lake Ouachita Water Supply Project change order are unexplained in the available record. Direct inquiry to city staff or review of any written staff report could clarify the directors' objections and whether further contract amendments are anticipated.

Why it matters: Understanding the basis for dissent may indicate concerns about contract oversight, cost escalation, or project scope.
Next check: Request written staff report or contact dissenting directors for clarification on objections.

Ford Maverick Police Vehicle Procurement Cost

Open

The Ford Maverick police vehicle procurement passed without a purchase price in the available record. Reviewing the budget adjustment document would show the spending amount.

Why it matters: The actual cost and funding source for the vehicle are not documented in meeting materials.
Next check: Review budget adjustment document or request procurement details from Public Works.

Elote Hub Food Service Cart Franchise Details

Open

The Elote Hub food service cart franchise was granted with no location, term, or fee details visible in the available record. Asking the city clerk's office which location was approved would be a practical first step.

Why it matters: Franchise location, term length, and any revenue arrangement are not documented.
Next check: Contact city clerk's office to obtain franchise agreement details including location, term, and fees.

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.

agenda: Meeting Agenda
minutes: Meeting Minutes
video: Meeting Video
transcript: Video Transcript

Confidence: High

Inputs available: minutes, agenda, transcript, public-comment capture, 22 parsed agenda items.

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.