GM Hale Reports to HSVPOA Board in May 2024

At the Wednesday, May 15 Hot Springs Village POA Board of Directors Meeting, General Manager Kelly Hale updated the Board Directors and Community Members on outside support received with tornado recovery assistance. Although many attempts have been made to reach out to local and state leaders, Hale doubted we would receive tornado recovery assistance from the state or county.

Hale said they are “beating the drum loud and clear” to change the language in the state constitution so we can receive tax money back.

The General Manager also talked about deferred infrastructure progress and the need for villagers to step up and volunteer.

Tornado clean-up efforts continue

“We continue to clean up from the tornado damage from March 14th. Time flies when you’re having fun. Unfortunately, we’re experiencing the opposite, and it feels like it’s been two years instead of two months since the tornado touched down. This has been a very serious situation from the start. The Board, my team, and I have been very focused on this incident and engaging with local and state leaders from the moment this occurred.”

POA received outstanding support on the day of the tornado

“I want to point out that we had outstanding support when the storm occurred on March 14. Let that be known, on the record, for not only Garland County but also Saline County and the State of Arkansas.”

“After 72 hours, we needed more [help].”

Hale and others seek additional assistance

• “We have been to the State Capital twice and met with key state officials to present our position and provide all the necessary documentation.”
• “We were timely and thoughtful in ensuring we did all the preparation work and provided the State and our insurance companies with the facts and answers they needed to help us. This was completed within one week of the tornado’s touchdown.”
• “We have made presentations to the state, Saline County, and have requested a meeting with the Garland County Court. We have met with Governor Sanders’s office to talk with her people directly. I want to thank Keith Keck. He is a Justice of the Peace for Saline County. I want everyone in the community to know that Keith fought tirelessly for this community. Tirelessly. He helped me prepare for the Saline County Quorum Court meeting and the meetings with the state. If you want to know who is a true, true partner and member, Keith Keck is. He has been very engaged since I took this job and has been a true friend to me and this community. Keith, I can’t thank you enough. He stood tall in the courtroom, and I wanted everyone to know that.”

• “I have reviewed many times that our private/gated community is not eligible for any of the $400 million in tax revenue we spend each year as a community.”
• “We chose to be a gated community, and all moved here for that reason. Now, we must work with State Legislators to solve this issue once and for all. We are a private corporation. We are no different than if a tractor supply business was hit. I don’t think the state and the counties will come in [with recovery assistance].”
  • “We bring a lot of overall value to the state and counties. Hale said that we look like a city and operate like a city. We are a city.”
  • “Our situation is very unique. Hot Springs Village has been in existence for 54 years. No one has challenged how to fix this until now.” [He is talking about the taxes we pay without receiving any back to the community.]”
    • “We are spending time with the state. I have a group of articulate people working with me. I want these people to be recognized for doing what our citizens need.
      • Arkansas State Representative Richard McGrew stood tall through the tornado situation.
      • Arkansas State Senator Matt McKee stood tall.
      • Arkansas State Representative Lanny Fite stood tall, supporting us, voting with us, and advising us on how to move forward.”
    • “We have also contacted the following individuals who have expressed concern.
      • U. S. Congressman Bruce Westerman
      • U.S. Congressman French Hill
      • U.S. State Senator John Boozman
      • U.S. State Senator Tom Cotton”
    • “Without the proper language {in the state constitution], we can’t expect our state leaders to help us. I want the community to know we are beating that drum loud and clear.”
    • “The key is staying focused.”
• “So far, we have spent approximately $900,000 to clean up our impacted community.”

Deferred infrastructure progress continues but has fallen three to four weeks behind because of tornado recovery efforts

“We continue to see progress in catching up on our projects for 2024. The tornado put us behind about three to four weeks in many departments due to helping with the recovery efforts. These departments were a combination of golf, park and recreation, street, water/sewer, and maintenance from public works.”

• “If we seem behind on our trails, beaches, and other amenities you enjoy this time of year – be patient and use common sense to understand why they may not be up to par yet, but they will be soon.”
• “Golf continues to focus on completing the Isabella course and doing that in-house. This is our second golf course where we have proven we can do the work in-house, pay cash, and no longer be victims. You will see a presentation today on our long-awaited Balboa Project.”
• “We continue to leverage opportunities to purchase equipment for all functions that need to be replaced. I am proud to say that we have replenished many of our key pieces of equipment and have a good handle on purchases to keep our community working.”
• “The Streets and Water Department continue to work together to repair culverts and strategic areas of our community with water line issues.”
• “We are still experiencing storm-related damages and issues. I am not just talking about the tornado. A recent rainstorm washed out a culvert on Baeleric.”
• “Look at your culverts and ditches in front of your home to ensure they function. That is our responsibility as homeowners. Everything is connected, and if we ensure things flow properly, we won’t allow the ditches to build up water, which can tear down the road sub-base. Everything is a cause-and-effect, and just a little maintenance on everyone’s part helps out.”

You can help

“As always, I ask the community to volunteer. We have begun to repair and heal many of the treasured parts of our home. I have had the message to “paint – polish – preserve” since day one. With everyone giving a little of their time for amenities they use or used to use, we can close the gap to ensure our home is in great shape when we or our guests want to enjoy it.”

“If you cannot volunteer or don’t want to, do us all a favor, be quiet, and stop complaining. If you take that time to thank the Lord for your blessings, you and everyone might be a little happier in this paradise we call Home.”