Hot Springs Board of Directors

July 15, 2025 Civic Briefing

Hot Springs Board Approves $13.2M Sewer Contract, Awards $302K Sidewalk Deal, Authorizes $288K Grant Application

The Board of Directors approved a $13,183,721 contract to Belt Construction for a major sewer capacity project, awarded a $302,096.10 sidewalk construction contract to Western Millwright Commercial Construction, approved a $228,307.50 equipment purchase from Core & Main, and authorized filing a $288,000 grant application for Community Resource Center renovations — totaling $14,002,124.60 in identified spending.

Hot Springs Board of Directors Regular Meeting July 15, 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 awarded a $13,183,721 contract to Belt Construction for Phases 2, 3, and 4 of the Lower Gulpha Gravity Sewer Capacity Improvement Project, the largest single action of the meeting.
A $302,096.10 sidewalk construction contract was awarded to Western Millwright Commercial Construction for the 2025 Sidewalk Improvements Project.
The Board approved a $228,307.50 purchase of three Sensus Base Stations from Core & Main under a state purchasing statute.
The city was authorized to file and accept a $288,000 Community Assistance Grant application with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission for renovations at the Community Resource Center.
During Board Commentary, a representative of Levi Hospital's board and foundation addressed the Board regarding the hospital's closing and restructuring; no vote was taken.

By the numbers

Total identified spending

$14,002,125

Votes taken

includes procedural votes

Unanimous votes

Largest single item

$13,183,721

Lower Gulpha Gravity Sewer Capacity Improvement Project

Emergency / ratification items

Resident questions unanswered

Money approved

Item	Amount	Vendor	Vote	Source
Lower Gulpha Gravity Sewer Capacity Improvement Project (Phases 2, 3, 4)	$13,183,721	Belt Construction, Inc.	5-0	`item:16`
2025 Sidewalk Improvements Project	$302,096	Western Millwright Commercial Construction, Inc.	5-0	`item:13`
Purchase of Sensus Base Stations	$228,308	Core & Main, LP	5-0	`item:12`
Community Assistance Grant application — Community Resource Center renovations	$288,000	Arkansas Economic Development Commission	5-0	`item:9`
Total identified spending	$14,002,125

Major decisions

Airport Property Lease — Arkansas Therapy Group at 507 Airport Road

Item: Authorization of a lease agreement between the city and Jason and Jill LaComfora, doing business as Arkansas Therapy Group (ATG), LLC, for 507 Airport Road, a property of Hot Springs Memorial Airport.
Vote: 4-0-1
Cost: No dollar amount for the lease terms was specified in the record.
Vendor / responsible: Jason and Jill LaComfora, d/b/a Arkansas Therapy Group (ATG), LLC
Discussion level: Brief Brief presentation
Resident impact: A therapy business will occupy city-owned airport property at 507 Airport Road under a lease arrangement. The financial terms of the lease are not shown in the available record.
What the Board said or did: Airport Director Don Rowlett presented the lease agreement. One director abstained; the record does not identify the abstaining member or the reason.
What remains unclear: Lease duration, rent amount, and the identity and reason for the abstaining director are not in the available record.
Source: item:15

Lower Gulpha Gravity Sewer Capacity Improvement Project — Bid Award

Item: Bid award to Belt Construction, Inc. for construction of Phases 2, 3, and 4 (Schedule II) of the Lower Gulpha Gravity Sewer Capacity Improvement Project.
Vote: 5-0
Cost: $13,183,721
Vendor / responsible: Belt Construction, Inc.
Discussion level: Brief Brief presentation
Resident impact: This project expands sewer capacity along the Lower Gulpha corridor. The record does not specify which streets, neighborhoods, or drainage areas are directly affected by Phases 2, 3, and 4.
What the Board said or did: Assistant Utilities Project Manager Joey Stadler presented the bid award. The Board approved it without extended discussion.
What remains unclear: The project schedule, funding source (e.g., bonds, utility revenues, federal funds), and specific service areas for Phases 2–4 are not identified in the available record.
Source: item:16

Zoning Change at 413 Hammond Drive — Residential to General Commercial

Item: Ordinance amending the zoning map for approximately 0.82 acres at 413 Hammond Drive from RN-5 (residential neighborhood) to C-G (general commercial), and updating the Future Land Use Map to Community Commercial Center.
Vote: 5-0
Cost: No cost specified in the record.
Vendor / responsible: Planning & Development Director Kathy Sellman
Discussion level: Brief Brief presentation
Resident impact: The parcel at 413 Hammond Drive is now zoned for general commercial use. The types of businesses permitted under C-G zoning could include retail, offices, restaurants, and similar uses, but the record does not indicate a specific proposed development.
What the Board said or did: Planning & Development Director Kathy Sellman presented the zoning amendment. No public comments were recorded. The Board passed the ordinance without extended debate.
What remains unclear: The identity of the applicant requesting the rezone and any planned development for the site are not in the available record.
Source: item:17

Approved without separate discussion

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

Consent Agenda — Seven Items Approved as a Group

Vote: 5-0 · See Money Approved table for individual amounts · Core & Main, LP; Western Millwright Commercial Construction, Inc.; Arkansas Economic Development Commission; HUD

item:7

Locations affected

Lower Gulpha corridor, Hot Springs

Lower Gulpha corridor

Phases 2, 3, and 4 of the Lower Gulpha Gravity Sewer Capacity Improvement Project awarded to Belt Construction

Status: Planned
507 Airport Road

507 Airport Road, Hot Springs Memorial Airport

Lease to Arkansas Therapy Group approved

Status: Confirmed
413 Hammond Drive

413 Hammond Drive

Rezoned from residential to general commercial (approx. 0.82 acres)

Status: Confirmed
Area 2, between West Grand and Hobson Avenue from 3rd to Mason Street

Area 2, between West Grand and Hobson Avenue from 3rd to Mason Street

Operation Clean Sweep scheduled

Status: Planned
Community Resource Center

$288,000 grant application authorized for renovations

Status: Planned
Southwest Trail Connection to Hot Springs National Park

Federal Lands Access Program grant application authorized

Status: Planned
City sidewalk network

2025 Sidewalk Improvements Project contract awarded (specific streets not identified in record)

Status: Planned

Watch list

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

Arkansas Therapy Group lease terms

Open

The record does not show the lease terms — duration or rent — for the Arkansas Therapy Group agreement at 507 Airport Road.

Why it matters: The financial and operational terms of this public property lease are essential for public accountability and understanding of city asset management.
Next check: Reviewing the lease document through the Airport Director's office would clarify these details.

2025 Sidewalk Improvements Project scope

Open

The specific streets and neighborhoods served by the 2025 Sidewalk Improvements Project contract are not identified in the record.

Why it matters: Residents need to know which areas will benefit from the $302,096 sidewalk improvements to understand the impact of this public works investment.
Next check: The Public Works or Engineering department would have the project scope.

Lower Gulpha sewer project funding and schedule

Open

The funding source and project schedule for the $13,183,721 Lower Gulpha sewer contract were not stated at the meeting.

Why it matters: The largest single spending decision of the meeting requires transparency regarding how it will be funded and when residents should expect construction.
Next check: Utilities department staff or the project file would provide this information.

Levi Hospital closure and city response

Open

Levi Hospital's closing and restructuring was discussed during Board Commentary but no city action was taken.

Why it matters: Hospital closure is a significant community impact with potential effects on emergency services, employment, and healthcare access; the city's formal response or lack thereof is important to track.
Next check: Determine whether the city will take any formal role in response to the closure at a future meeting.

Consent agenda item dollar amounts

Open

The dollar amounts for the Police Animal Services budget amendment, the two FLAP grant applications, and the CDBG grant application were not stated in the consent agenda record.

Why it matters: Without these specific amounts, the full scope of the Board's fiscal commitments cannot be accurately assessed.
Next check: The Finance or grants offices would have these figures.

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.

video: Meeting Video
minutes: Board Minutes
agenda: Meeting Agenda

Confidence: High

Minutes, agenda, transcript, and public comment capture all available. Nineteen parsed agenda items provide comprehensive record of actions taken.

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.