HOT SPRINGS – The City of Hot Springs is accepting applications until noon on Monday, March 31, for volunteer positions on various City advisory boards and committees.

The openings include the following:

• Three openings for city residents on the Airport Advisory Committee. This five-person committee assists in reviewing, recommending and evaluating policies and procedures for the airport. It also makes recommendations concerning the development and use of airport properties and facilities. Members serve a term of four years. Meetings are held at noon on the third Tuesday of every month at the Airport Terminal Building, 525 Airport Road.
• Four openings for city residents on the Animal Advisory Committee. This seven-member committee assists the Animal Services Division in evaluating policies and procedures, including public education efforts concerning responsible pet ownership. Members serve a term of four years. Meetings are held quarterly, with additional meetings as needed.
• Four openings for city residents on the Arts Advisory Committee.  This seven-person group reviews and recommends placement of permanent art and temporary exhibits, as well as secures funding for such displays.  Members serve a term of four years.  Meetings are held quarterly on the second Tuesday of the month at noon in January, April, July and October at the Parks and Trails Office, 111 Opera Street.
• One opening for Planning Commission members on the Board of Adjustments & Appeals/Board of Zoning Adjustment. This five-member board hears appeals from decisions of the administrative officers with respect to the enforcement and application of various development codes, along with appeals and variance requests concerning the administration and application of the Zoning Code.  Members serve a term of three years. Meetings are held at 4 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of every month.
• One opening for a city resident on the Civil Service Commission. The five-member commission performs various personnel-related functions pertaining to the City's uniformed departments (Fire and Police), including administration of hiring and promotional testing. The establishment of the commission is set out in H.S.C. 10-3-1 et seq. Members serve a term of six years. Meetings are held at 4 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month.
• Three openings for city residents on the Community Development Advisory Committee. One position is for a resident from District 1 (Director Erin Holliday’s district). Director Holliday will make the nomination for this district-specific position. The other two are for city resident at-large positions; these nominations will be made by the Board of Directors. The CDAC committee evaluates and establishes operating policies and procedures for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. Members serve a term of four years. The committee meets at 1 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month in Board Chambers.
• One opening on the Historic District Commission. This five-member commission oversees historic district rules and regulations. The Position 1 Commissioner must be an owner of real property (or officer or stockholder of owners of real property) or a business owner (or officer or stockholder of businesses) within the Central Avenue Historic District. Members serve a term of three years. Meetings are held at 8:30 a.m. in Board Chambers on the third Thursday of every month.
• Three openings for a city resident on the Parks and Trails Advisory Committee. This seven-member group provides guidance and oversight in the city's parks and trails, including planning and policy development. Members serve a term of four years. Meetings are held at 5 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month.
• Four openings on the Planning Commission. This group, which has nine members and three alternates, reviews all land development proposals within the city, including all subdivisions and adopted planning areas, to ensure compliance with the Zoning and Subdivision codes. Members serve a term of three years. Meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month. Openings include:
  • One position for a resident from District 1 (City Director Erin Holliday’s district)
  • One position for a resident from District 2 (City Director Phyllis Beard’s district)
  • One position for a resident of Garland County (must reside within the planning jurisdiction)
  • One alternate position for residents inside the city limits
• Three positions on the Transportation Advisory Committee. This seven-member committee assists the Board of Directors and city staff in the establishment of policies for the city's public transit system, as well as public transportation issues of a general nature. Members serve a term of four years. Meetings are held quarterly, with additional meetings as needed. 
• Three openings for city residents on the Urban Forestry Committee. The purpose of this five-member committee is to promote, protect and enhance the beauty, environmental benefits and general welfare of the Hot Springs urban forest in an advisory role for the Board of Directors. Members serve a term of four years. Meetings are held quarterly on the fourth Tuesday of the meeting month at 5:30 p.m. in the Parks and Trails Office, 111 Opera Street.
• Three openings on the Waterworks Advisory Committee. Two positions are for qualified electors of the City of Hot Springs and one for a non-resident water customer from the area served by the city’s municipal water system outside its municipal boundaries. This seven-member advisory committee reviews matters pertaining to the City of Hot Springs Municipal Water System, referred to it by the Board of Directors or the City Manager. Members serve a term of four years. Meetings are held quarterly on the third Thursday of January, April, July, and October at 4 p.m. in Board Chambers.

Applicants must be registered voters of the City of Hot Springs, unless otherwise specified, and must attend the scheduled interviews. The Board of Directors will interview all applicants on Tuesday, April 8, following its regularly-scheduled agenda meeting at 4 p.m. in the Board Chambers at City Hall, 133 Convention Boulevard. The Board of Directors will then make the appointments at their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, April 15.

Applications are available online at www.cityhs.net/boards-commissions, or in the City Clerk’s office at City Hall, 133 Convention Boulevard. For information, contact Leigh Leaverton at 501-321-6805 or lleaverton@cityhs.net.