Hot Springs Civic Brief

Hot Springs Board of Directors

September 30, 2025 Civic Briefing

Hot Springs Board Approves $13 Sewer Contract, Water Plant Extension, and Wastewater Filter Work

The Hot Springs Board of Directors approved six consent-agenda items covering a $13 million sewer line administration contract, a 150-day extension of water treatment plant construction management, new wastewater filter design services, property maintenance and chemical supply contracts, and a board reappointment — all without separate discussion.

Hot Springs Board of Directors Agenda Meeting September 30, 2025 Confidence: Medium 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 $223,135 contract to RJN Group Incorporated to manage construction of the Lower Gulfa Interceptor Schedule Two, a $13 million sewer main replacement project.
  • Equipment delivery delays pushed the new water treatment plant's expected completion from October 2025 to March 2026, and the Board approved a $180,480 contract extension for continued construction management during that added time.
  • The Board approved a $43,000 work order for Christrist Engineers to design and oversee two new tertiary filters at the wastewater treatment plant, adding capacity for high-flow periods and backup during filter cleaning.
  • A term contract for property maintenance services was awarded to Landmarks LLC as the lowest responsive bidder among three.
  • A term contract for aluminum chloride hydroxide sulfate was awarded to American M LLC based on quality and performance ratings rather than lowest bid price.
  • Dr. Bruce Mitchell was reappointed to the Housing Authority Board for a full five-year term.

By the numbers

Total identified spending
$446,615
Votes taken
6
includes procedural votes
Unanimous votes
0
Largest single item
$223,135
Contract Award for Lower Gulfa Interceptor Project Administration
Emergency / ratification items
0
Resident questions unanswered
0

Money approved

Item Amount Vendor Vote Source
Lower Gulfa Interceptor Project Administration
 $223,135 RJN Group Incorporated Consent item:2
Water Treatment Plant Construction Management Change Order
 $180,480 Christrist Engineers Consent item:5
Wastewater Treatment Plant Tertiary Filter Improvements
 $43,000 Christrist Engineers Consent item:6
Property Maintenance Services (term contract)
 — Landmarks LLC Consent item:3
Aluminum Chloride Hydroxide Sulfate (term contract)
 — American M LLC Consent item:4
Total identified spending $446,615

Approved without separate discussion

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

  • Reappointment of Dr. Bruce Mitchell to Housing Authority Board
    Vote: Consent · No cost specified
    item:1
  • Lower Gulfa Interceptor — Sewer Main Project Administration Contract
    Vote: Consent · $223,135 · RJN Group Incorporated
    item:2
  • Term Contract — Property Maintenance Services
    Vote: Consent · No contract dollar amount is specified in the available record. · Landmarks LLC
    item:3
  • Term Contract — Aluminum Chloride Hydroxide Sulfate
    Vote: Consent · No contract dollar amount is specified in the available record. · American M LLC
    item:4
  • Water Treatment Plant Construction Management — Change Order Three
    Vote: Consent · $180,480 · Christrist Engineers
    item:5
  • Wastewater Treatment Plant — Tertiary Filter Improvements Work Order
    Vote: Consent · $43,000 · Christrist Engineers
    item:6

Locations affected

  • Lower Gulfa corridor, Hot Springs
    Lower Gulfa corridor
    Sewer main replacement (Schedule Two) administration contract awarded; construction location not further specified in the record.
    Status: Planned
  • Hot Springs Water Treatment Plant
    New facility under construction; completion delayed to March 2026 due to equipment delivery delays.
    Status: Under construction
  • Hot Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant
    Design work authorized for two new tertiary filters (filters three and four).
    Status: Planned

Watch list

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

Water Treatment Plant Completion Date

Open

The water treatment plant is now scheduled to reach completion by March 2026 — the next briefing should note whether that date holds.

Why it matters
The project has already slipped from October 2025 to March 2026 due to equipment delivery delays. Tracking actual completion is critical for planning water infrastructure transitions.
Next check
Monitor for updates at next Board meeting or public statement regarding water treatment plant progress.
First raised: September 30, 2025 briefing

Lower Gulfa Interceptor Schedule Two Construction Start

Open

Construction on the Lower Gulfa Interceptor Schedule Two will proceed once the RJN Group administration contract takes effect; no start date was given in the record.

Why it matters
Residents in the Lower Gulfa corridor will experience construction activity; absence of a start date makes planning and communication difficult.
Next check
Request construction schedule from staff or watch for public notice of construction commencement.
First raised: September 30, 2025 briefing

Wastewater Plant Tertiary Filter Construction Cost and Timeline

Open

The record does not show a construction cost estimate or timeline for the wastewater plant tertiary filter project — the $43,000 covers design only. The full construction cost and schedule should be tracked once design is complete.

Why it matters
The Board approved design work without visibility into the total project cost or implementation timeline, creating risk of budget surprises or scope creep.
Next check
Monitor for design completion and construction cost estimate. Track at next budget review cycle.
First raised: September 30, 2025 briefing

Term Contract Dollar Ceilings and Spending

Open

The term contracts for property maintenance (Landmarks LLC) and aluminum chloride hydroxide sulfate (American M LLC) do not include dollar ceilings in the available record. The amounts actually spent under each contract are worth tracking at budget review.

Why it matters
Without published contract ceilings, it is difficult to assess whether spending remains within budget or if additional approvals were required.
Next check
Request contract terms and actual spending amounts at budget review meetings.
First raised: September 30, 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: Medium

Video transcript and six parsed agenda items available. Minutes not yet available as of briefing publication. All substantive items presented as consent agenda without separate discussion.

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.