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Board adopts multiple ordinances on trucks, zoning, retirement benefits and financing; approves travel to National League of Cities
Summary
The Hot Springs City Board approved a package of ordinances and resolutions including vehicle purchases, zoning map corrections, retired-employee health coverage amendments, short-term financing for capital equipment, and authorized out-of-state travel for Director Phyllis Beard to the National League of Cities conference.
The Hot Springs City Board of Directors took several final actions during the meeting, approving equipment purchases, zoning corrections, personnel benefits policy updates and short-term borrowing for 2025 capital items. The board also approved an out-of-state travel resolution for Director Phyllis Beard to attend the National League of Cities conference in Washington, D.C.
Votes at a glance
- Resolution R-25-40 (out-of-state travel to the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference) — Adopted. Roll call: Director Erin Holiday: No; Director Phyllis Beard: Aye; Director Marsha Dobbs Smith: Aye; Director Dudley Webb: Aye; Director Karen Garcia: Aye; Director Steve Trustee: Aye; Mayor Pat McKay: No. (Outcome: adopted.)
- Ordinance O-25-08 (waive competitive bidding and purchase two utility trucks from Smart Ford per state cooperative contract) — Adopted unanimously by roll call. The trucks were listed at $43,772.32 each and include accessory equipment; staff requested a waiver of competitive bidding for the aftermarket accessories because the state contract limits accessories to $600. Roll call: all present voted Aye.
- Ordinance O-25-09 (amend official zoning map; correct nine parcel inconsistencies and incorporate post-adoption parcel changes) — Adopted unanimously. Planning Commission recommended the updated Exhibit B to correct split-zone depictions, unzoned parcels and map errors discovered after the 11/19/2024 adoption of Code Forward.
- Ordinance O-25-10 (access to health benefits for retired municipal employees; repeals ordinance 57-56) — Adopted unanimously. Staff reported the ordinance aligns City policy with Arkansas Code Annotated provisions and requires retirees to be receiving retirement benefits and to pay both sides of premium contributions at the active employer rate, with dependent coverage allowed under specified conditions.
- Ordinance O-25-11 (short-term financing with U.S. Bancorp Government Leasing & Finance, Inc. for approved 2025 capital acquisitions; emergency clause adopted) — Adopted. Staff reported the total financing sought is $2,048,646 for vehicles ($1,100,646), specialized equipment ($608,000) and heavy equipment ($340,000). U.S. Bancorp offered a rate of 4.25% (5-year treasury minus six basis points as quoted). Emergency clause was adopted so the city can lock the rate.
- Ordinance O-25-12 (amend Hot Springs code regarding membership and selection of Hot Springs Advertising & Promotion Commission members) — Adopted. The ordinance modifies how one of the board seats is tied to the district that encompasses land acquired for the convention center expansion; it accomplishes the change by ordinance amendment and was adopted on roll call (four Aye, two No, one absent).
- Ordinance O-25-13 (amend short-term rental regulations to reserve up to 25 additional residential short-term rental licenses per year for U.S. veterans with service-connected permanent and total disability rating) — Deferred. After extended discussion and public comment, the board approved an amendment adding a refund/priority provision, and then voted to table the ordinance for 45 days pending potential state action; vote to table passed 4–2. The board indicated concern about pending state legislation that could supersede or change local regulatory requirements and about administrative costs to implement new licensing categories.
Several actions required or involved staff reports and legal citations. For example, O-25-08 cited Arkansas Code Annotated section 14-47-138 (cooperative purchasing/bid waiver authority), and O-25-10 referenced Arkansas Code Annotated sections on continuation of healthcare for retired municipal employees. The financing ordinance invoked the emergency clause to expedite borrowing to lock a favorable rate.
The board adopted the consent agenda and approved minutes from February 4, 2025, earlier in the meeting. Several items originally on the February 18 agenda were removed or postponed because an earlier ice storm had forced rescheduling; the wastewater bond public hearing referenced on the earlier agenda was deferred to March.
