As reported in The Sentinel-Record some time back, I submitted an application to serve on the newly formed Hot Springs water advisory board/committee. I sincerely saw this committee formation as a positive step in providing a platform for the dissemination of accurate information, productive discussion, and helpful recommendations to the Hot Springs Board of Directors and staff as they make decisions concerning the municipal water system and its policies.
These critical board decisions could impact the growth and development of this area far into the future. Even though I had no input into the possible makeup of such an advisory committee, my thoughts on the ideal committee were a diverse group of water customers such as a couple of members with financial experience with bonds and financing; a member with solid legal experience; a couple of well-respected members who could learn about the system and issues and communicate effectively with the public; and a couple of members with knowledge and experience with water systems and how they function. I felt that my 35-plus years of experience with the installation and functionality of water and sewer systems across several states including Arkansas (including past experience with the Hot Springs system) and my business experience would be helpful on the Water Advisory Committee.
To challenge the perceptions of a few, my motivation for applying was solely to be helpful to not only the board of directors, but also to city staff and the public. I want to see the Lake Ouachita water project be successful. The city of Hot Springs is too far into this project to turn back now. I want to see both Hot Springs and the Hot Springs municipal utilities be the best they can be given the obvious financial issues that the city is facing. I acknowledge that COVID and how the world is today impacts supply chains and costs.
I wish to publicly apologize to the board of directors and the public for not attending the Tuesday, March 28, interviews. I never saw the email in my inbox alerting me to the interviews on that day. On Wednesday, March 29, as I was trying to clean up my email folders, I saw the March 23 email from the city buried in my junk file. I have no understanding of how this happened. Unfortunately, I have had this happen before. I guess there is a lesson for me here. I don't want the public or the board of directors to think that I just didn't show up. I would have been there if I had known in advance. Given how this has played out, I am not disturbed by not being appointed to the water advisory committee, as obviously my service is at the total discretion of the board of directors. Maybe God put that email into my junk file. Maybe I shouldn't have been appointed for some reason. Never know.
I wish to congratulate the newly appointed members of the new Hot Springs Waterworks Advisory Committee and wish them well. However, since I was not appointed and will not have the opportunity to ask questions and give recommendations, I have chosen to pass along one big recommendation. My experience is that when the public's questions are clearly and thoroughly answered, the public better understands unpopular decisions. They may not like the decisions, but they understand the reasons. Maybe this has been done, but I'm afraid the general public's perception is that it has not. Why not take the city's website link currently labeled "Lake Ouachita Water Project" and answer concerns and questions? The website would be a perfect place to answer questions, give progress on the project and give accurate information that might put to bed rumors and ease some of public discontent and pushback.
Such concerns that might be addressed either on the website, in advisory meetings, or in open board meetings include the following:
Given that the board of directors (upon input from staff) will set the agendas for the advisory committee, will only matters that need a "rubber stamp of approval" be sent to the committee for discussion and recommendations? Will relevant questions regarding system design, functionality policies and cost/debt, many of which should have been asked at the beginning, be allowed and answered with accurate thorough information/reasons that can be shared with the public? Post agendas and detailed minutes on the website.
How much money has, and will, the engineering firm with the current Lake Ouachita water project be paid? Have, and are, Hot Springs decision makers, especially the board of directors, been and are being given all information and options including those that are more cost effective? Reasons for the more expensive options?
How is the bond money being invested and how are the earnings being spent? Are the earnings being used to help pay down the debt or are some being used to cover the unforeseen expenses?
There has never, to my knowledge, been a good transparent explanation of reasons for many of the most costly parts of the current project including the placement of the proposed new treatment plant. The new treatment plant location at the south end of the county reverses the system from its original design. The location will put both major water plants in the same pressure plain of 705 elevation. I have been told that plans include shutting down the Lakeside plant. The question is, "Will there be enough water to supply the Holly Street, Park Avenue, and upper Central Avenue areas with the quantity needed for day-to-day needs and adequate fire protection. And, will the trihalomethane problem then be flipped to that part of the system?"
The ratepayers in the Hot Springs water service area will have a tremendous debt to pay back. Where is the end of the debt? Does anyone know? How many more unforeseen problems will rise and how will those be paid for? Unfortunately, rates are the primary means to pay for debt, system expansion, and ongoing maintenance and repairs of water and sewer systems. Again, this financial situation has long-term effects on future growth and development of the service area.
Given the magnitude of the current Lake Ouachita water project and the new treatment plant, I recommend that the city leadership be totally transparent with the public about the functionality, progress toward completion, timing of bond repayment, future plans and reasons behind major decisions.
Rick Davis is the former county judge for Garland County.