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Hot Springs council offers one‑time boost to volunteer fire department, increases 2026 subsidy to $100,000
Summary
After a public presentation from the volunteer fire department warning of aging trucks and rising costs, council members agreed to raise the city's 2026 contribution to the volunteer fire department to $100,000, reallocating small program funds and scheduling follow‑up meetings to clarify one‑time needs.
Ken Tomseggard, speaking on behalf of Hot Springs' volunteer firefighters, told the council the department is running on decades‑old frontline apparatus and struggling to replace equipment and sustain volunteer fundraising. "We've got structure trucks that are 30 years old," Tomseggard said, and warned that a major breakdown could leave the department unable to respond without costly replacement.
City finance staff and several council members responded by identifying modest re‑allocations in the draft 2026 general fund…
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