Hot Springs Village POA General Manager Ken Unger addressed the Board of Directors with an upbeat, detailed report at the January 15th meeting, inspiring the year ahead.

Adverse weather conditions bring challenges to staff and first responders

The General Manager discussed the recent inclement weather event of January 9-10. Receiving over 12 inches of snow, POA staff worked tirelessly from Thursday evening through the weekend to ensure the safety of residents. Major roads were cleared within 24 hours, even before highways 5 and 7 were plowed. Secondary roads were also addressed as quickly as possible, and most roads were passable by Monday evening, with only spot requests needing to be handled.

HSVPOA crews work diligently during the January ’25 snow event – image courtesy Todd Noles

Unger acknowledged the efforts of all staff involved in this event, especially our police, fire, and public services personnel, “who braved the storm from beginning to end to ensure our safety.”

Communication is key

Recently, the POA held a snow and ice preparedness tabletop drill with a majority consensus that communication is key. Unger encourages all residents to sign up for the POA email news so they can receive the latest POA information throughout the year and, most importantly, critical weather event updates. Sign up here: https://members.explorethevillage.com/group/pages/e-news .

Unger announces key promotions

The POA started the year with several promotions due mainly to retirements. Unger said that these changes in leadership will allow the POA to “hit the ground running in 2025” by improving POA efficiency. These key personnel changes include:

  • Matt Broom: Promoted from Associate Public Services Director to Public Services Director, filling my previous role as General Manager.
  • Chris Boutzale: Promoted from Superintendent of Water/Sewer to Associate Public Services Director overseeing Village utilities, following Matt’s promotion.
  • Phyillis Shaddix: Promoted from Associate Controller to Controller, replacing Jama Lopez, who retired.
  • Chase Egleston: Promoted from Fire Department Lieutenant to Captain, due to the retirement of Captain Tommy Fallon.
  • Will Rainwater: Promoted to Director of IT due to his performance and the impact of his role on the POA.

Significant achievements highlighted

The new General Manager said he is impressed with 2024 POA accomplishments, highlighting several key achievements.

  • Despite the worst weather events in recent years, the POA ended the year on solid financial ground.
  • Eliminating the use of dangerous chlorine gas at our water plant
  • Implementing the Northstar system
  • Holding many fantastic shows and events, including the Stars and Stripes Festival, which won the Viewers Choice Award for best event in Garland and Saline County from Village Voice
  • Overhauling our financial reporting and successful audit of our financial records
  • Adding K9 Officer Nala to the Police Department
  • Completing bunker renovations at the Isabella Golf Course, along with other improvements
  • Restoring the upper level of the Balboa Club
  • Restoring or replacing 97 stormwater culverts
  • Performing road preservation on over 26 miles of roadway, including the mill and overlay of over a mile of DeSoto Blvd that was damaged by ice storms
  • Responding to and recovering from the March tornado, which will continue this year via the use of controlled burns trialed along DeSoto Blvd near Minorca Road.

Staff meeting kicked-off future plans

To set the stage for 2025, the team recently held a kick-off meeting to lay out plans. The primary goal achieve the financial goals set by the Board of Directors and to improve members’ and visitors’ experiences to maintain our community as one of the best places to live, work, and play. A study conducted last September identified Hot Springs Village as the 4th best place for middle-class people to retire in the US. Our goal is to keep it that way, said the GM.

Member Involvement is crucial

Because of its immense volunteer efforts, Hot Springs Village has the honor of being the only community receiving the Thousand Points of Light award. Click here to read about this. Heavily reliant on crucial member involvement, Unger urges Villagers to continue to participate and help where they can. Your participation helps to keep the association’s monthly assessments and amenity fees low. Urging annual amenity signups in golf, tennis, pickleball, lawn bowling, and archery and attending POA-sponsored shows, Unger said this goes a long way in continuing the success of the village.

Help the Coronado Fitness Center by becoming fit

Many Medicare Advantage Insurance programs have a component that allows their insurees to receive free access to the Coronado Fitness Center. This is a win-win for both insurees and the POA; you can achieve health benefits while supporting the Coronado Fitness Center, reducing gym subsidies. Remember, though, that you must actually use the program in order for the gym to receive the money. Unger enthused, “I believe that if everyone in our community that has Silver Sneakers used our fitness center as much as they allowed by their insurance, not only would we cover our operating costs, there would probably be money left over to keep improving it.” For more information about the fitness center, call (501) 922-1230

Continuing to forge mutually beneficial relationships with outside entities

Working in tandem, the GAC, led by Chair Keith Keck and staff member Kevin Sexton, Business Development, Land & Public Affairs Director, held an elected officials breakfast with outstanding turnout from county and state officials. We had productive discussions and committed to working together to pursue initiatives that will strengthen our Village, counties, and state. The recent winter storm showcased excellent cooperation, where we assisted County Disaster Management personnel, and they helped us with ARDOT in clearing roads outside the Village. This type of teamwork is our goal.

Make 2025 a year to remember!

Unger expressed his enthusiasm about the upcoming year and said that he looks forward to working with staff, the board, volunteers, and members to make 2025 a “year to remember!”

GM Unger’s report with detailed 2024 department achievements attached

Enjoy Joe’s short video (below). Images provided by Superintendent Todd Noles.

By Cheryl Dowden; Media Todd Noles, Joe Dowden

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