The Public Works Committee reported a recommendation that the City Council approve an engineering services agreement with AE2S for a facilities needs assessment of the Hot Springs wastewater treatment plant.

Committee materials and the wastewater foreman summarized an extensive list of prior repairs and interim upgrades that have kept the plant functional but not renewed its lifecycle. The report noted the plant is about 41 years old while a typical useful life for such a facility is roughly 25 years. The committee described recurring capital needs and said the facility requires a professional evaluation to outline options and probable costs.

AE2S proposed a lump‑sum scope of services (listed in the packet) for approximately $58,000 to identify and evaluate three potential solutions, prepare site schematic sketches and conceptual design criteria for each solution, provide opinions of probable construction cost, timelines, financing consultation and a report with recommendations. The packet listed a non‑exhaustive history of prior work and estimated costs that have been used to maintain the facility over time.

Committee members emphasized the regulatory stakes for an aging plant. The report cited potential fines for noncompliance (the packet referenced regulatory fines that "could be as much as $10,000 a day") and recommended a professional study to provide transparent options and cost projections for the public. The committee said the study could be funded by deferring a $130,000 mechanical bar screen purchase in 2025, covering the AE2S agreement cost.

Public Works recommended council approve the agreement so AE2S can prepare the assessment and recommendations to inform a public discussion on long‑term solutions and potential funding approaches.