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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 to provide short‑term relief. Finance staff recommended increasing the city's contribution to the volunteer fire department to $100,000 for 2026 and suggested reallocating $5,000 from the Historic Preservation Committee and $5,000 from the Boys & Girls Club to cover part of the increase while pursuing other one‑time funding avenues.
The request reflected a mix of immediate operational shortfalls and longer‑term capital needs. Tomseggard said volunteers are increasingly unable to raise funds through summer activities because many now hold outside, paid jobs; he also cited a recent rise in the department's insurance costs (he said the department's insurance premium increased by about $47,000 last year) as a pressure point.
Councilors sought specifics about fleet composition, mutual‑aid agreements and whether grant opportunities could cover protective gear or radios. Finance staff recommended regular quarterly meetings between city administration and volunteer fire representatives to surface "one‑time" needs (bunker gear, SCBAs, pump repairs) and to better identify grant or matching opportunities.
Decision and next steps: Council directed staff to update the worksheet to reflect a $100,000 city contribution in the 2026 draft budget and agreed to follow up with a joint meeting of administration, finance and fire department representatives to prioritize specific equipment and grant opportunities. The funding change was implemented in the draft budget worksheet during the meeting; any final appropriation will be confirmed in the formal budget ordinance process.
