Hot Springs city reports modest general-fund surplus, schedules water-plant opening and Majestic proposals session

At the Hot Springs Board meeting the city's finance director, Karen Scott, presented the December 31, 2025 un-audited financial statements. Scott reported that the general fund finished the year with revenues over expenditures of $536,052 and described fund-level changes: personnel and debt service increases increased expenditures, while interest and some revenue categories changed year-to-year. City Manager Bill Burrow added that the water fund's balance and recent capital investments position the city to begin operations at a new water treatment plant.

Burrow announced key upcoming dates: a March 18 work session to review two proposals for the Majestic site submitted to the Hot Springs Metro Partnership; and a grand opening and ribbon-cutting for the new water treatment plant on April 6 at 10:00 a.m. Burrow described the plant as the largest single infrastructure investment in the city's history (he cited approximately $150 million for the project).

Burrow also reviewed community initiatives: new hires and promotions across utilities, an upcoming clean-sweep focused on targeted address points (March 2'20), and fundraising totals for the Community Resource Center (reported $113,488 including a $50,000 anonymous matching pledge). He encouraged community review of the parks and recreation sports master-plan concept designs via the city's website.

The finance report drew no further board questions at the meeting.

Next steps: staff will proceed with outreach on the Majestic proposals and prepare for the April 6 events and ribbon-cutting; finance staff will continue year-end closing and present audited statements when available.