Hot Springs Board of Directors Agenda Meeting

March 31, 2026 Civic Briefing

Hot Springs Board Reviews $1.3M in Spending: $700K Wastewater Transfer, $262K Recycling Truck, $112K HVAC Replacement, $100K Dumpsters, $99K Pole Barn, $24K Street Markings, $6.5K Court Security, and a $2.3M Planning Grant Announced

At its March 31, 2026 agenda meeting, the Hot Springs Board of Directors reviewed $1,302,515.39 in identified spending across eight items — a $700,000 wastewater fund transfer for debt service, a $261,872.32 recycling truck bid award, a $111,376 HVAC replacement at the Community Resource Center, a $99,954.88 dumpster purchase, a $98,800 pole barn construction bid, a $24,009.89 pavement-marking change order, and a $6,502.10 armed security contract with budget amendment — and received a separate announcement of a $2.3 million planning grant for the Punching Bungee to Malvern corridor project.

Hot Springs Board of Directors Agenda Meeting Agenda Meeting March 31, 2026 Confidence: Medium 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 reviewed a $700,000 transfer of wastewater impact fees to the wastewater fund, where the money will cover debt payments on bonds that financed infrastructure upgrades driven by system growth.
Staff announced receipt and execution of a $2.3 million planning grant for the Punching Bungee through to Malvern project, which had previously been delayed in the federal system before being signed and returned to the city.
The Board reviewed a $261,872.32 bid award to Rush Truck Centers of Arkansas for one new recycling collection truck, replacing an 11-year-old unit that will be sold at auction.
A $111,376 HVAC replacement was reviewed for the Community Resource Center at 109 Hobson Avenue, where the existing chiller-boiler system is roughly 20 years old and has failed repeatedly.
A term contract for armed security at the Garland County District Court was reviewed, with Safe Haven Security Group selected from four bids; staff confirmed no gap in coverage during the transition.

By the numbers

Total identified spending

$1,302,515

Votes taken

includes procedural votes

Unanimous votes

Largest single item

$700,000

Wastewater Impact Fees Budget Amendment and Funds Transfer

Emergency / ratification items

Resident questions unanswered

Money approved

Item	Amount	Vendor	Vote	Source
Wastewater Impact Fees Budget Amendment and Funds Transfer budget transfer	$700,000	—	—	`item:2`
Pole Barn Construction — 741 Adams Street	$98,800	Goslee Construction Corporation	—	`item:3`
Front Load Dumpster Purchase	$99,955	Wastequip Manufacturing Company LLC	—	`item:4`
Recycling Collection Truck	$261,872	Rush Truck Centers of Arkansas Inc.	—	`item:5`
HVAC Replacement — Community Resource Center	$111,376	Comfort Systems USA Arkansas Inc.	—	`item:6`
Safe Streets for All Pavement Marking Change Order	$24,010	Time Striping Inc.	—	`item:7`
Armed Security Officer — District Court (budget amendment)	$6,502	Safe Haven Security Group LLC	—	`item:9`
Total identified spending	$1,302,515

Major decisions

Approval of Front Load Dumpster Purchase

Item: Purchase of 93 front-load dumpsters in sizes ranging from 2-yard to 8-yard through the Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Program, replacing dumpsters that can no longer be reliably repaired.
Vote: —
Cost: $99,954.88
Vendor / responsible: Wastequip Manufacturing Company LLC
Discussion level: Brief Brief presentation
Resident impact: Businesses across the city receive weekly garbage collection using front-load dumpsters; these replacements maintain that service.
What the Board said or did: Director Garcia asked how many dumpsters were being purchased and confirmed the size range (2-yard to 8-yard). A board member clarified that all 93 units would be physically delivered in approximately three or four truckloads.
What remains unclear: The record does not specify how many existing dumpsters are being retired or when delivery is expected.
Source: item:4

Award Bid for Recycling Collection Truck

Item: Bid award — $261,872.32 contract to Rush Truck Centers of Arkansas Inc. for one recycling collection truck, replacing an 11-year-old unit that will be sold at auction. Two bids were received; Rush Truck Centers submitted the lowest responsive bid.
Vote: —
Cost: $261,872.32
Vendor / responsible: Rush Truck Centers of Arkansas Inc.
Discussion level: Brief Brief presentation
Resident impact: The replacement truck supports ongoing curbside recycling collection citywide. The old truck (unit 9444) will be sold at auction.
What the Board said or did: Director Holiday asked why the purchase went to public bid rather than through the Sourcewell cooperative purchasing program, which is typically used for such equipment. Staff explained that recycling trucks are not available through Sourcewell, making a public bid process required.
What remains unclear: The record does not show the auction timeline for the retiring vehicle or the amount expected to be recovered from its sale.
Source: item:5

HVAC System Replacement at Community Resource Center

Item: Authorization of HVAC goods and services from Comfort Systems USA Arkansas Inc. for a hydronic system replacement at the Community Resource Center, 109 Hobson Avenue — involving a chiller evaporator split system air conditioner, heater, and centrifugal pump. The existing system is approximately 20 years old and has failed repeatedly.
Vote: —
Cost: $111,376.00
Vendor / responsible: Comfort Systems USA Arkansas Inc.
Discussion level: Moderate Questions or explanation from board or staff
Resident impact: The Community Resource Center at 109 Hobson Avenue will receive a new climate control system.
What the Board said or did: Director Dove Smith noted that during a tour three to four years ago, the building director had indicated the HVAC system was already broken at that time. Director Dove Smith asked why the city paid 20% above appraised value for the property if the system was not functioning at the time of purchase. The record does not show a response to that question.
What remains unclear: The record does not show whether staff addressed why the city paid above appraised value at acquisition, or what the condition of the system was at the time of purchase.
Source: item:6

Change Order for Safe Streets for All Pavement Marking Project

Item: Change order increasing the scope of the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Demonstration Project pavement markings contract with Time Striping Inc. by $24,009.89 — adding sidewalk markings and wider stop bars at locations on the high-injury network and bringing the total contract to $72,792.
Vote: —
Cost: $24,009.89
Vendor / responsible: Time Striping Inc.
Discussion level: Brief Brief presentation
Resident impact: Additional crosswalk and pavement safety markings will be added at locations on the city's high-injury road network. Specific streets were not listed in the available record.
What the Board said or did: Director Garcia asked that future board packets include a list of the specific locations where pavement markings will be applied.
What remains unclear: The specific streets or intersections receiving additional markings are not listed in the available record. Director Garcia's request suggests that information was not provided at this meeting.
Source: item:7

Term Contract for Armed Security Officer at District Court

Item: Bid award — term contract with Safe Haven Security Group LLC for an armed, licensed, uniformed security officer at the Garland County District Court, plus a budget amendment of approximately $6,500 for the city's share of the cost. Four bids were received; a three-person evaluation team selected Safe Haven Security.
Vote: —
Cost: Approximately $6,502.10 budget amendment for the city portion
Vendor / responsible: Safe Haven Security Group LLC
Discussion level: Brief Brief presentation
Resident impact: Armed security at the Garland County District Court will continue without interruption; Safe Haven can begin within 30 days rather than the standard 90-day implementation window.
What the Board said or did: Director Dudley Webb asked whether there would be any gap in security coverage during the transition. Staff confirmed there will be no gap.
What remains unclear: The total annual contract value, contract term length, and identity of the outgoing security provider are not specified in the available record.
Source: item:9

Approved without separate discussion

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

Wastewater Impact Fees Budget Amendment and Funds Transfer

Vote: — · $700,000

item:2
Award Bid for Utilities Department Pole Barn Construction

Vote: — · $98,800 · Goslee Construction Corporation

item:3
Planning Grant for Punching Bungee Project (Announcement)

Vote: — · The record does not show a city spending commitment at this step.

item:8

Locations affected

741 Adams Street

741 Adams Street, Hot Springs, Arkansas

Utilities Department pole barn construction (30-by-70-foot structure).

Status: Scheduled
Community Resource Center

109 Hobson Avenue, Hot Springs, Arkansas

HVAC system replacement (chiller-boiler hydronic system).

Status: Scheduled
Garland County District Court

Transition to Safe Haven Security Group for armed security at the front door.

Status: Scheduled
High-injury road network

Multiple locations citywide

Additional pavement markings and wider stop bars under the Safe Streets for All project. Specific streets not listed in the available record.

Status: Planned
Punching Bungee to Malvern corridor

Punching Bungee to Malvern

$2.3 million planning grant received; planning scope and timeline not yet described in the record.

Status: Planned

Watch list

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

Community Resource Center HVAC purchase premium and system condition

Open

Director Dove Smith asked why the city paid 20% above appraised value when it acquired the Community Resource Center at 109 Hobson Avenue, particularly given that the HVAC system was reportedly already broken at the time of purchase (three to four years prior to this meeting). The record does not show whether staff responded to this question.

Why it matters: Understanding the purchase terms and condition assessment of the building at the time of acquisition helps clarify whether the city received fair value and whether the current HVAC replacement could have been planned earlier.
Next check: A direct inquiry to city staff or a review of the acquisition documents would clarify the purchase terms and the condition of the HVAC system at the time of sale.

Safe Streets for All pavement marking locations

Open

The specific streets and intersections receiving additional pavement markings under the SS4A project were not listed in the available record. Director Garcia requested that this information be included in future board packets.

Why it matters: Residents need to know where safety improvements are being made in order to understand impact on their neighborhoods and provide feedback.
Next check: Check the next board meeting packet for the list of specific locations where pavement markings will be applied.

Punching Bungee to Malvern planning grant details

Open

The $2.3 million Punching Bungee to Malvern planning grant was announced but no planning scope, timeline, local match requirement, or federal/state funding source was described in the available record.

Why it matters: Clarity on grant requirements, planning objectives, and timeline helps residents understand the corridor project's direction and implementation schedule.
Next check: Reviewing the executed grant agreement with the appropriate city department would provide details on scope, timeline, and local match.

Safe Haven Security Group contract terms and cost

Open

The total annual contract value and term length for the Safe Haven Security Group court security contract are not in the available record. Only the city's budget amendment of approximately $6,502.10 was noted.

Why it matters: Full contract details including total cost and duration help residents understand the ongoing financial commitment and service terms.
Next check: Request the full contract document from the relevant city department to show the complete cost and term.

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
other: Item 1 - Procedural Items
other: Item 2 - Wastewater Impact Fees Budget Amendment and Funds Transfer
other: Item 3 - Pole Barn Construction Bid Award
other: Item 4 - Front Load Dumpster Purchase
other: Item 5 - Recycling Collection Truck Bid Award
other: Item 6 - HVAC System Replacement
other: Item 7 - Safe Streets for All Pavement Marking Change Order
other: Item 8 - Planning Grant Announcement
other: Item 9 - Armed Security Officer Term Contract

Confidence: Medium

Transcript and public-comment capture available; 9 agenda items parsed. This was an agenda (preview) meeting; no formal vote record was available, and final action votes will occur at a subsequent regular meeting.

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.