Ken Unger, Director of HSVPOA Public Services, gave the General Manager Report at the November 16, 2022, Board Meeting. GM Kelly Hale was absent due to illness.

  • Unger said, “The HSVPOA submitted three grant applications for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements. The grants were submitted to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Commission by Saline County on behalf of HSV. This is the first time to our knowledge that this has been done on behalf of the Village. The grant totals over $8 M, and whatever is rewarded will require a 50% match. These are for much-needed infrastructure improvements that were identified as part of the Comprehensive Master Management Plan that was done several years ago.” Board Director Bob McLeod said that he didn’t want Property Owners to think the grant is guaranteed. We will not know until next year if we receive any of this money. Based on the amount awarded, we will decide if we want to accept the grant and match it or not. If received, this money will be used for infrastructure upgrades to accommodate our growth, fire support, and replacement of water mains. “These are all essential projects that the Village will have to do at some point in time.” Garland County was also asked to submit a grant on our behalf for $8M, with $8 M matching, but they declined. Unger hopes that in the future, both counties will support us for needed projects.
  • Finalization of the purchase of the Cedar Creek property was scheduled to occur on November 18, 2022.
  • The Police Training Center (PTC) facility has been sold to Brandon Tedder of Renaissance Homes. The new home for the PTC is located in Room 5 at the Coronado Community Center.
  • Northstar has been chosen to replace Total-E as HSVPOA’s integrated POA management system. Long-term pricing is much more favorable to the POA than the current system. Implementation of this system will continue throughout the first half of 2023.
  • The bunkers at Granada Golf Course are being remodeled. The project will continue into 2023.
  • The Public Services Department has completed sleeving/repair of 43 large culverts this year to date. As only 4 or 5 culvers were planned annually, this puts us about ten years ahead of schedule. Costs for the culvert rehab are significantly lower than anticipated due to the sleeving process. There remain 45 culverts that can be addressed with this process. Unger said they would try to accomplish this next year. Additionally, the POA team replaced over 20 culverts in 2022.
  • After a study of the wastewater lift stations, the Public Services Department has strategically bypassed five underused stations due to the lack of population within their vicinity. This will utilize resources much more efficiently, reducing our required maintenance and also helping to impact odor issues. Once the population in these areas grows, we can easily transition back to full use. Unger has not calculated the across-the-board savings, including reduced electrical costs and repair/replacement of the pumps. Although bypassing the pumps will result in other pumps working more, this should help with odor control. Most of the Village infrastructure was overbuilt.
  • The POA has acquired gently used fleet vehicles at a much lower cost than new ones. Multiple other used vehicles are currently being assessed for possible purchase.

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR PUBLIC SERVICES DIRECTOR

Ken Unger
Director Public Services
Hot Springs Village
501-226-9609
Kunger@hsvpoa.org

Report by Cheryl Dowden