Hot Springs Civic Brief

Hot Springs Board of Directors

May 20, 2025 Civic Briefing

Hot Springs Board Approves $819K Water Line Contract, $580K Gulpha Pump Station Electrical Upgrade

The Board of Directors approved $1,564,239.44 in total spending across five items: a $818,655 contract with Diamond Construction for 2025 water line improvements, a $580,453 electrical upgrade to the Gulpha Pump Station by Entergy Arkansas, a $142,880.74 truck purchase from MHC Arkansas Kenworth, a $12,250.70 reprogramming of existing Community Development Block Grant funds, and a $10,000 land purchase at 308 Fontana Road.

Hot Springs Board of Directors Regular Meeting May 20, 2025 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 an $818,655 contract to Diamond Construction Company for 2025 water line improvements, the largest single spending item of the meeting.
  • The Board approved a $580,453 payment to Entergy Arkansas to extend and upgrade electrical distribution power lines to the Gulpha Pump Station.
  • The Board authorized the purchase of a 2026 Kenworth T380 truck for $142,880.74 through a cooperative purchasing program.
  • The Board authorized filing and accepting grant funding from the State of Arkansas (routed through the National Highway Safety Administration) for eligible DWI District Court expenses.
  • All 11 votes taken at the meeting were unanimous (7-0), and no emergency or ratification items were on the agenda.

By the numbers

Total identified spending
$1,564,239
Votes taken
11
includes procedural votes
Unanimous votes
11
Largest single item
$818,655
Resolution R-25-104: Award Bid for 2025 Water Line Improvements
Emergency / ratification items
0
Resident questions unanswered
0

Money approved

Item Amount Vendor Vote Source
2025 Water Line Improvements (bid award)
 $818,655 Diamond Construction Company 7-0 item:27
Electrical upgrade to Gulpha Pump Station
 $580,453 Entergy Arkansas, LLC 7-0 item:28
Purchase of 2026 Kenworth T380 truck
 $142,881 MHC Arkansas Kenworth, LLC 7-0 item:23
CDBG FY 2022 substantial amendment (reprogramming of existing grant funds)
budget transfer
$12,251 — 7-0 item:26
Purchase of real property at 308 Fontana Road (~1 acre)
 $10,000 — 7-0 item:25
Total identified spending $1,564,239

Approved without separate discussion

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

  • 2025 Water Line Improvements — bid award to Diamond Construction
    Vote: 7-0 · $818,655 · Diamond Construction Company
    item:27
  • Electrical distribution upgrade to Gulpha Pump Station
    Vote: 7-0 · $580,453 · Entergy Arkansas, LLC
    item:28
  • Purchase of 2026 Kenworth T380 truck
    Vote: 7-0 · $142,881 · MHC Arkansas Kenworth, LLC
    item:23
  • Grant filing authorization — DWI District Court
    Vote: 7-0 · The record does not show a city spending commitment at this step.
    item:24
  • CDBG FY 2022 substantial amendment — reprogramming of $12,250.70
    Vote: 7-0 · $12,251
    item:26
  • Purchase of real property at 308 Fontana Road
    Vote: 7-0 · $10,000
    item:25
  • Term contract for aluminum sulfate
    Vote: 7-0 · No dollar amount specified in the available record. · Univar Solutions USA LLC
    item:22

Locations affected

  • 308 Fontana Road
    308 Fontana Road, Hot Springs, Arkansas
    City purchased approximately one acre of land surrounding the Hot Springs Pump Station.
    Status: Completed
  • Gulpha Pump Station
    Electrical distribution lines to be extended and upgraded by Entergy Arkansas.
    Status: Approved
  • 271 Kimery Street
    271 Kimery Street, Hot Springs, Arkansas
    Groundbreaking ceremony for Stokes Creek Greenway Trail scheduled for May 22, 2025.
    Status: Scheduled
  • Burchwood Bay and Central Avenue (intersection)
    Hot Springs Police Department submitted a safety study to ARDOT for review of a possible traffic signal.
    Status: Planned
  • Downtown Hot Springs
    Downtown
    120 hanging flower baskets installed by Parks and Trails Department; displays expected through August.
    Status: Completed
  • 2025 Water Line Improvements (locations unspecified)
    Specific streets or zones not identified in the available record.
    Status: Approved

Watch list

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

Water Line Improvements Project Scope

Open

The specific streets and service areas covered by the $818,655 water line improvements contract have not been disclosed in the available record.

Why it matters
Residents need to know which neighborhoods will be affected by construction and disruption timelines.
Next check
Confirm scope with the Water Utilities Department before construction begins.
First raised: May 20, 2025 briefing

CDBG FY 2022 Reprogramming Details

Open

The record does not describe which CDBG FY 2022 activities the reprogrammed $12,250.70 is being redirected from or to.

Why it matters
Community development funding redirections may affect planned neighborhood improvements or services.
Next check
The Community Development Department could clarify the before-and-after use.
First raised: May 20, 2025 briefing

DWI District Court Grant Application Scope

Open

The DWI District Court grant application has been authorized but the grant amount sought, eligible expenses, and any local match requirement were not disclosed.

Why it matters
Understanding the scope and local contribution will inform budget planning for judicial services.
Next check
Direct inquiry to the City Attorney's office or Finance Department would clarify the scope.
First raised: May 20, 2025 briefing

Kenworth Truck Departmental Assignment

Open

The truck purchased for $142,880.74 has no stated departmental assignment in the record.

Why it matters
Identifying which service will benefit from this equipment clarifies operational planning and service delivery.
Next check
A follow-up with city staff would confirm which service it supports.
First raised: May 20, 2025 briefing

Burchwood Bay and Central Avenue Traffic Signal Review

Open

ARDOT's review of the proposed traffic signal at Burchwood Bay and Central Avenue has no stated timeline.

Why it matters
Traffic signal installation affects intersection safety and traffic flow for residents in that corridor.
Next check
Periodic check-ins with the city's engineering or public works staff would track progress.
First raised: May 20, 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.

  • agenda: Board Meeting Agenda
  • minutes: Board Meeting Minutes
  • video: Board Meeting Video
  • transcript: Video Transcript (Full)
  • transcript: Video Transcript (Public Comments — Maddie Trusty)
  • other: Board Commentary
Confidence: High

Minutes, agenda, full video transcript, and 30 parsed agenda items available. All votes documented as unanimous 7-0.

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.