Hot Springs Civic Brief

Hot Springs Board of Directors Agenda Meeting

October 8, 2024 Civic Briefing

Hot Springs Board Approves $108K SCADA Engineering Contract, Reclassifies Two Fire Marshal Positions

The Hot Springs Board of Directors approved a $108,320 engineering services contract with Brown Engineering LLC to integrate a new sewer pump station into the city's remote monitoring system, reclassified two Fire Department positions at a lower pay grade, accepted a floodplain property donation, and set a November public hearing on a right-of-way vacation — while a proposed property purchase at 900 Whittington Avenue did not reach a decision.

Hot Springs Board of Directors Agenda Meeting Agenda Meeting October 8, 2024 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 authorized a $108,320 contract with Brown Engineering LLC to connect the new Gulf Basin Sewer Pump Station on Catherine Heights Road to the city's existing SCADA remote-monitoring network.
  • The Fire Department restructuring continued: the fire marshal and assistant fire marshal positions will be reclassified into two equal fire marshal roles at a lower pay grade ($67,746 annual salary each), with administrative duties shifted to a newly created assistant fire chief.
  • The city accepted a donation of property at 111 Patriot Street — located in the floodplain — so the structure can be removed and the land restored to natural floodplain conditions.
  • A public hearing was set for November 5 to consider vacating an unnamed right-of-way in Block 14 of El Dorado Subdivision, where property owners already have existing structures.
  • A proposed purchase of real property at 900 Whittington Avenue was on the agenda but did not reach a decision at this meeting.

By the numbers

Total identified spending
$108,320
Votes taken
5
includes procedural votes
Unanimous votes
0
Largest single item
$108,320
Contract for SCADA System Engineering Services at Sewer Pump Station
Emergency / ratification items
0
Resident questions unanswered
0

Money approved

Item Amount Vendor Vote Source
SCADA Engineering Services, Gulf Basin Sewer Pump Station
 $108,320 Brown Engineering LLC Passed as part of consent agenda; individual vote tally not recorded item:4
Total identified spending $108,320

Major decisions

SCADA Engineering Contract — Gulf Basin Sewer Pump Station

Item
Grant of a new professional engineering services contract for SCADA system hardware, design, and control panel integration at the Gulf Basin Sewer Pump Station on Catherine Heights Road.
Vote
Passed as part of consent agenda; individual vote tally not recorded
Cost
$108,320
Vendor / responsible
Brown Engineering LLC
Discussion level
Brief Brief presentation
Resident impact
The contract connects a new $10 million sewer pump station at Gopher Creek to the city's central monitoring system, allowing city staff to remotely track pump operations and tank levels. Residents near the Catherine Heights Road area and Gopher Creek are most directly affected.
What the Board said or did
Staff explained that Brown Engineering originally designed the city's SCADA system for both wastewater and water operations and continues to maintain it, making the firm the compatible choice. The city does not have the specialized electrical engineering expertise in-house.
What remains unclear
The record does not show the contract term, whether competitive bids were solicited or a sole-source justification was documented, or the expected project completion date.
Source
item:4

Fire Marshal Position Reclassification

Item
Amendment to the Fire Department's authorized personnel table, reclassifying one fire marshal (pay grade 5FD2) and one assistant fire marshal (pay grade 4FD2) into two equal fire marshal positions at the lower pay grade 3FD2.
Vote
Passed as part of consent agenda; individual vote tally not recorded
Cost
Annual salary of $67,746 per position; total annual cost including benefits of $94,850 per position. No net new spending amount was specified — both positions are currently vacant.
Vendor / responsible
Hot Springs Fire Department; Civil Service Commission will conduct recruitment
Discussion level
Brief Brief presentation
Resident impact
The reclassification is part of a broader Fire Department administrative restructuring. The new marshals will focus on traditional fire prevention duties. Administrative oversight moves to a newly created assistant fire chief.
What the Board said or did
Staff described the restructuring context: two training officer positions and an assistant chief position have already been created. This reclassification completes that reorganization. The Civil Service Commission will run an open, in-house recruitment process with exams and interviews; the Fire Chief selects from the top three candidates.
What remains unclear
The record does not show the total budget impact of the full restructuring (the new training officer and assistant chief positions are not costed in the available record), or a timeline for filling these positions.
Source
item:6

900 Whittington Avenue Property Purchase — No Decision Reached

Item
Resolution R-24182 proposed approval of a real property purchase at 900 Whittington Avenue and a related budget transfer.
Vote
No vote recorded
Cost
No amount specified in the available record.
Vendor / responsible
n/a
Discussion level
Unknown Discussion level not determined
Resident impact
The available record does not describe the intended use of the property or how it would affect nearby residents.
What the Board said or did
The item appeared on the agenda but the available record shows no staff explanation, public comment, or vote. The outcome is not recorded.
What remains unclear
The purchase price, the seller, the intended use, the budget transfer amount, and the outcome of the item are all absent from the available record.
Source
item:7

Approved without separate discussion

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

  • Accept Property Donation at 111 Patriot Street
    Vote: Passed as part of consent agenda; individual vote tally not recorded · No city spending commitment shown in the available record at this step.
    item:3
  • Public Hearing Set — Right-of-Way Vacation, El Dorado Subdivision
    Vote: Passed as part of consent agenda; individual vote tally not recorded · No city spending commitment shown in the available record at this step.
    item:5

Locations affected

  • 111 Patriot Street
    111 Patriot Street
    City accepting donated floodplain property; structure to be removed and land restored to natural floodplain
    Status: Approved
  • Catherine Heights Road (Gulf Basin Sewer Pump Station)
    Catherine Heights Road
    SCADA integration engineering contract awarded; work will connect the Gopher Creek pump station to the city's central monitoring system
    Status: Contract Approved
  • Block 14, El Dorado Subdivision
    El Dorado Subdivision
    Unnamed right-of-way vacation under consideration; public hearing scheduled for November 5, 2024
    Status: Hearing Scheduled
  • 900 Whittington Avenue
    900 Whittington Avenue
    Proposed city property purchase; outcome not recorded in available record
    Status: Unknown

Watch list

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

900 Whittington Avenue Property Purchase Outcome

Open

Resolution R-24182 proposed approval of a real property purchase at 900 Whittington Avenue and a related budget transfer had no recorded outcome at this meeting.

Why it matters
The next briefing should confirm whether the item was tabled, withdrawn, or carried forward, and should identify the purchase price, seller, and intended use.
Next check
Subsequent meeting or public records inquiry
First raised: October 8, 2024 briefing

SCADA Contract Procurement Basis

Open

The record does not show whether Brown Engineering was sole-sourced for the SCADA contract or whether competitive procurement was conducted.

Why it matters
Direct inquiry to the Public Works or Utilities Department would clarify the procurement basis and ensure transparency.
Next check
Direct inquiry to Public Works or Utilities Department
First raised: October 8, 2024 briefing

Fire Department Restructuring Budget Impact

Open

The full budget picture for the Fire Department restructuring — covering all newly created positions alongside the reclassified marshals — is not documented in this meeting's record.

Why it matters
A follow-up with the Fire Department or Finance Office would show the net fiscal effect and help residents understand the true cost.
Next check
Follow-up with Fire Department or Finance Office
First raised: October 8, 2024 briefing

111 Patriot Street Demolition Timeline and Cost

Open

The timeline and cost for demolishing the donated structure at 111 Patriot Street are not yet on record.

Why it matters
Floodplain restoration work affects local flood risk management and city budgets.
Next check
Follow-up with Public Works or Community Development
First raised: October 8, 2024 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

Transcript and 7 parsed agenda items available. Minutes were not available; individual vote tallies within the consent agenda are not recorded in the available 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.