Hot Springs City board adopts ordinance updating water and wastewater connection rules

The Hot Springs City Board of Directors adopted Ordinance O-26-11 on a unanimous roll call, updating local regulations that govern extensions and connections to municipal water and wastewater services.

City Attorney Brian Albright told the board the ordinance amends ordinance 6264 (codified at Hot Springs Code 9-5-1) to reflect changes enacted in the recent legislative session. "Act 314 abolished the territorial jurisdiction outside of the city limits for cities and Act 313 prohibited municipalities from certain restrictions in governing accessory dwelling units," Albright said, explaining why the 2019 provisions needed revision.

The ordinance package includes marked-up changes to the existing code language; Albright said the updates remove provisions inconsistent with the new state laws and clarify connection rules that previously applied to areas outside city limits.

After the reading by title, the board voted by roll call. The clerk recorded the following votes: Director Aaron Holiday — I; Director Marcia Dob Smith — I; Director Dudley Webb — I; Director Karen Garcia — I; Director Steve Trusty — I; Mayor Pat McCabe — I. The motion to adopt the ordinance passed and was recorded as approved.

The board provided no public speakers on the ordinance and took no amendments during the meeting. The ordinance text references Hot Springs Code 9-5-1 and amends prior ordinance 6264 to align city regulations with the cited state statutes. The board did not announce an effective date during the meeting.

The board returned to other business after the adoption and moved toward adjournment.