Hot Springs Civic Brief

Hot Springs Board of Directors

January 7, 2025 Civic Briefing

Hot Springs Board Approves $350K Water Loss Contract, Passes Wastewater Rate Increase in Split Vote

At its January 7, 2025 meeting, the Hot Springs Board of Directors approved a $350,000 agreement with Xylem Vue Inc. for Phase 6 of the city's Water Loss Management Program and, in the meeting's only split vote, passed a wastewater rate increase ordinance set to take effect March 1, 2025.

Hot Springs Board of Directors Regular Meeting January 7, 2025 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 approved a $350,000 contract with Xylem Vue Inc. to continue the city's water loss management work, waiving competitive bidding to do so.
  • The Board passed a wastewater rate increase ordinance 5-1, with an effective date amended to March 1, 2025; four residents spoke before the vote.
  • About 18 acres at 1108 Higdon Ferry Road were rezoned from residential to regional commercial, changing both the zoning map and the Future Land Use Map.
  • The Board approved two new downtown parking ordinances — one updating parking zone rates and one creating a resident parking program for downtown.
  • The city received an unexpected $2.3 million federal RAISE grant for planning work tied to $12.7 million in capital projects, including multi-modal trails and a Belding Street extension.

By the numbers

Total identified spending
$350,002
Votes taken
15
includes procedural votes
Unanimous votes
14
Largest single item
$350,000
Ordinance O-25-02: Water Loss Management Program Phase 6
Emergency / ratification items
1
Resident questions unanswered
0

Money approved

Item Amount Vendor Vote Source
Water Loss Management Program Phase 6
emergency
$350,000 Xylem Vue Inc. 6-0 item:17
Gulpha Basin Property Purchase — 1605 Shady Grove Rd
 $2 — 6-0 item:14
Total identified spending $350,002

Major decisions

Wastewater Rate Increase — effective March 1, 2025

Item
Ordinance O-24-38 — sets new rates for the city's wastewater system, repealing prior rate ordinances. The effective date was amended from an earlier date to March 1, 2025.
Vote
5-1
Cost
No direct city spending; this ordinance sets the rates customers will pay for wastewater service.
Vendor / responsible
City of Hot Springs wastewater system
Discussion level
Extended Significant debate, public comment, or multiple speakers
Resident impact
Wastewater customers in Hot Springs will see changed rates beginning March 1, 2025. The specific new rate amounts are not detailed in the available record.
What the Board said or did
Dan Jackson of Wildan presented on the rate structure. Finance Director Karen Scott and representatives from Crews & Associates also provided explanations. Four residents — Ellen Carpenter, Bart Stafford, David Sellers, and Dayton Myers — spoke during public comment. The Board amended the ordinance to push the effective date to March 1, 2025, then passed it 5-1. The record does not identify which director voted against or explain the basis of the dissent.
What remains unclear
The specific new rate amounts are not in the available record. The identity of the dissenting director and the stated reason for the dissent are not captured. The substance of public comments from the four speakers is not detailed.
Source
item:15

Water Loss Management Program Phase 6 — $350,000 contract with Xylem Vue Inc.

Emergency / Ratification
Item
Ordinance O-25-02 — waives competitive bidding and approves an agreement with Xylem Vue Inc. for Phase 6 of the Water Loss Management Program in the amount of $350,000.
Vote
6-0
Cost
$350,000
Vendor / responsible
Xylem Vue Inc.
Discussion level
None Approved without separate discussion
Resident impact
The program is aimed at reducing water loss in the city's utility system; continued work may affect water system reliability and long-term rate pressures, but the record does not specify service areas or timelines.
What the Board said or did
Approved without separate discussion.
What remains unclear
The record does not explain why competitive bidding was waived, what work was completed in Phases 1–5, what specific work Phase 6 covers, or why this item is categorized as an emergency ratification rather than a standard new contract.
Source
item:17

Approved without separate discussion

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

  • Zoning Map Amendment — 1108 Higdon Ferry Road
    Vote: 6-0 · No cost specified in the record.
    item:16
  • Parking Zones and Rates Map Amendment
    Vote: 6-0 · No cost specified in the record.
    item:18
  • Downtown Resident Parking Program
    Vote: 6-0 · No cost specified in the record.
    item:19

Locations affected

  • 1108 Higdon Ferry Road
    1108 Higdon Ferry Road, Hot Springs
    Approximately 18 acres rezoned from residential (R-2, R-3) to regional commercial (C-4) and Future Land Use Map amended to Regional Commercial Center.
    Status: Confirmed
  • 1605 Shady Grove Road
    1605 Shady Grove Road, Hot Springs
    City purchased a 50' x 50' tract (0.0574 acre) for the Gulpha Basin Force Main Concrete Weir Box Structure.
    Status: Confirmed
  • Kimery Park
    New playground installation completed.
    Status: Completed
  • Downtown Hot Springs
    Downtown
    New resident parking program and updated parking zone and rate map now in effect.
    Status: Confirmed

Watch list

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

Resolution R-25-06 — Pay Tables for Uniformed Public Safety Personnel

Open

Resolution R-25-06, which would have set pay tables for uniformed public safety personnel, was removed from the consent agenda before the meeting was called to order for further background work. It did not come to a vote.

Why it matters
Pay structure for police and fire personnel affects recruitment, retention, and city budget planning. The removal suggests outstanding questions or concerns requiring clarification.
Next check
Check the next Board agenda for reappearance of this resolution; no scheduled return date is in the available record.
First raised: January 7, 2025 briefing

$2.3 Million RAISE Grant and $12.7 Million Capital Projects

Open

The city received an unexpected $2.3 million federal RAISE grant for planning work tied to $12.7 million in capital projects, including multi-modal trails and a Belding Street extension.

Why it matters
This represents significant federal infrastructure funding. The planning phase timeline and milestones are not clear from the available record, and project implementation timelines are important for community impact and budgeting.
Next check
Track grant implementation timeline, funding releases, and project milestones in future meeting records and City Manager reports.
First raised: January 7, 2025 briefing

Wastewater Rate Ordinance 5-1 Split Vote

Open

Ordinance O-24-38 (wastewater rate increase) passed 5-1 — the only split vote of the meeting. The dissenting director and the stated reason are not in the available record.

Why it matters
Understanding the basis for dissent on a rate-setting matter helps the public understand Board concerns and potential future direction on utility pricing.
Next check
Monitor next meeting's public comments and Board discussion for any follow-up on the rate increase or dissenting director's positions.
First raised: January 7, 2025 briefing

Competitive Bidding Waiver — Xylem Vue Inc. $350K Contract

Open

Ordinance O-25-02 waives competitive bidding for the $350,000 Xylem Vue Inc. contract for Water Loss Management Program Phase 6, classified as an emergency ratification. The basis for the waiver and emergency classification is not explained in the available record.

Why it matters
Waiving competitive bidding bypasses standard procurement safeguards. Understanding the emergency rationale and prior-phases history clarifies whether this is appropriate or if procurement practices need review.
Next check
Request or monitor for City Manager clarification on Phase 5 completion status, Phase 6 scope, and emergency justification.
First raised: January 7, 2025 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

Minutes, agenda, transcript, and public-comment capture all available. 21 parsed agenda items provide comprehensive meeting record.

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.