POA to Request Disaster Funds From Saline Co. Quorum Court – GAC Mtg

The Hot Springs Village POA Governmental Affairs Committee met briefly on Friday, May 3, 2024. The meeting was sparsely attended due to a conflict with the Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce’s “Meet Your Elected Officials Breakfast.”

POA to Request Disaster Funding From Saline County Quorum Court

Keith Keck, Justice of the Peace at Saline County Quorum Court, spoke about the Quorum Court meeting to be held on Monday, May 6, 2024, at 6:30 P.M. at the Saline County Courthouse in Benton. Keck said, “The Hot Springs Village POA will attend the meeting to speak and request funding for disaster assistance, specifically debris cleanup on the utility right-of-ways. The POA is a provider of water and wastewater services. If you have been up to the areas and saw the debris damage, it is all pushed to the side of the road, covering up water and wastewater lines and fire hydrants. The POA has been proactively clearing that out as well as they can. This is a request of Saline County to fund some of the debris cleanups in the utility right-of-way only. I want to emphasize that. That is what the presentation will be [about]. It is not going after other monies. The actual way that money would be handled is by Saline County. They do the procurement of the contract(s).”

This will not be for reimbursement of any time or money already spent. Keck said a lot of debris remains. Residents who were here for the ice storms of 2012 and 2013 are aware that it took us six months to clean up this debris. It was BIG. The debris from the 2012 and 2013 ice storms was more widespread. The tornado damage was very concentrated. If any assistance is received from Saline County, it will only be used for Saline County cleanup. Keck said, “The Garland County side is another challenge.”

“We may or may not receive funding. If we do not receive funding…There is no State Declaration coming. There is no Federal Declaration coming. [All tornado debis cleanup] could be on the POA’s dime. Most of it will be anyway because the amount you can request from the counties is very limited.”

Keith Keck, Justice of the Peace at Saline County Quorum Court

Dr. Michael Murphy, Fountain Lake School District Superintendent Winding Down the Year and His Time at Fountain Lake

Fountain Lake graduation will be held next Friday, May 10. The last school day for the 2023-2024 school year is Monday, May 28 (one day after Memorial Day). This is the last meeting Murphy will be serving on the GAC, but he may stop by and say ‘hello’ at some time.

There are no significant funding levels in Arkansas to support summer school. Over the last two years, we have been able to provide a different type of summer school due to federal COVID money. Because this money is exhausted, this year summer school will be more reflective of a remediation approach.

Property insurance for schools has increased well over 60% to 110%. Based on the LEARNS ACT and inflation, expenses to run the school have increased. “Designing budgets remains very challenging, and we are looking critically at programs where only a small number of children are served; those programs are seriously being considered to be eliminated.”

GAC Chair Bob Pettey presented Dr. Murphy with a plaque of appreciation, saying, “We appreciate all you have done for Fountain Lake and are happy that you made it a point to come to our meetings and help us understand what is going on.”

Melissa Speers, Jessieville School District Superintendent

May 3 is the last day for the Seniors, with graduation on May 12. Speers said they are in the hiring process for the ’24-’25 school year. “It is getting more difficult all the time. People are not entering education like they did for a while.”

No big projects are scheduled at Jessieville School during the summer.

Speers said the tornado damage has been cleaned up. Two roofs will be replaced – one was damaged by the tornado and it was time to replace the other roof.

Jessieville will have a two-week summer school in July. In the past, summer school was conducted in the mornings for a month. “We found it is easier for parents and the teachers if we do two weeks of full days.”

The cost of insurance for the school has increased significantly. Last year, the cost rose significantly across the state. The State of Arkansas helped with a one-time funding of 30%.

Due to the rising cost of doing business, “We have not had to non-renew anyone, but we are looking at, as teachers are retiring and leaving – do we need that program? Can that be absorbed somewhere else? Ultimately, students are going to suffer. We try to make decisions where that doesn’t happen, but when you close a program” it can affect students.

GAC Thank You Brunch

GAC Member Paul Bridges said the GAC is hosting an Elected Officials and Prominent Community Leaders Thank You Brunch on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. There have been 17 affirmative responses. Thirty-seven officials and leaders were invited. Around 30 to 35 POA Staff, Board and GAC Committee Members will attend.

General Manager Kelly Hale will thank the guests at the beginning of the event, and Board Chair Joanie Corry will speak at the end.

The Guests can play golf or tour the Village after the Brunch.

Candidate Forum

Chair Pettey said the invitations to the Candidate Forum have not been sent, but is in the works. “We will send them out as soon as possible.”

Ouachita Speaker Series

Pettey said, “The Ouachita Speaker Series on May 14 will feature Doyle Webb and Shane Broadway talking about the Arkansas political landscape on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at the Ponce de Leon Center. Views from both sides of the aisle will be presented. Click here to purchase a ticket.

Reminders

• Next POA Board Meeting: May 15, 2024, at 9:00 AM, Ouachita Room, Ponce de Leon Center.
• Next GAC Meeting: June 7, 2024, at 9:00 AM, Ponce De Leon Center.