Stephen McEarl

The board conducted an election of officers, appointing a new President, Vice President, and Secretary/Treasurer. Discussion regarding the land for a new water tank included an overview of potential grant and loan funding structures. The manager's report covered an audit of funds from the City of Fountain Lake, compliance with Arkansas Act 605 regarding fund transfer schedules, and the acceptance of the 2026 Rate Study. Additionally, the board addressed personnel matters, including an upcoming staff resignation, reviewed the Sentinel Road Bridge water line relocation project, and approved a strategy to reallocate capital into two 6-month Certificates of Deposit to maximize interest yield.

The board meeting addressed the need for a handicap ramp at the back of the building, which was approved for contracting out. New business included the review and approval of Bad Debt Write Offs as of September 30, 2025. In old business, updates were provided regarding the completion of land acquisition for a new water tank, and the board motioned for staff to pursue a grant or loan for the project. The board also discussed original connection fees and meter deposits from the 1990s, resulting in a motion to issue refunds when customers inquire, and to defer writing the checks until customer inquiry. The Manager's Report noted that the Arkansas Department of Health CPE Audit Report was successful, that the annual financial audit is scheduled for December 8th, the Rate Study is underway, and that sludge ponds were cleaned.

The meeting addressed vacant positions on the Board of Directors, appointing Roy Eddie Livingston to Position Sub-District 3 and Todd Graves to Position 3 At Large. The board approved the purchase of a 2023 John Deere mini-x, an 18' trailer, and a 2023 Ford pickup truck, with funds sourced from the district's Operating Reserve Account.

The board discussed the possibility of selling land to the Fountain Lake Fire Department and decided to contact their attorney for advice. They approved awarding contracts to Square One Enterprises Corp for the ARDOT Hwy 192 / Glazypeau Creek Project and the Blacksnake/Turkey Trot Emergency Water Connection with the City of Hot Springs. An update was provided on the carbon machine, and the board discussed scaling down the plant expansion project. The need for another tank in the Fountain Lake area was also discussed. The board approved compensation for Michael Puckett for a deed of easement and discussed Act 605, which requires a certain percentage of water sales to be put into a depreciation replacement reserve account. The board decided to keep the current leak adjustment policy but require residents to provide a receipt for repairs. Finally, the board approved a bonus for employees who worked during the snow/ice storm.

The board discussed insurance quotes and decided to stay with First Arkansas Insurance and EMC Insurance. They addressed Barbara Thurman's vacation carryover, approving the carryover of 46.28 hours. The board reviewed bad debt write-offs, which were tabled until the January board meeting. Updates were provided on the new shop building, the new truck, and the plant expansion. Options for a GPS mapping system were discussed, and the General Manager reported on software conversion issues and new connections.