HOT SPRINGS — The Hot Springs Board of Directors will decide March 5 whether to call a special election in the spring on a voter initiative to change the form of city government.
City Clerk Lance Spicer certified 518 signatures, which exceed the required number of 468, to call for a special election to consider returning to a mayor-alderman form of government.
Hot Springs now has a city manager form of government. Under this format, the city manager is hired by the elected Board of Directors as chief executive officer.
If voters switch forms of government, new elections willbe held to elect a mayor, city treasurer, city clerk and city attorney - all for four-year terms. Aldermen would be elected for two-year terms.
The position of city manager would be eliminated. The mayor would assume the role of chief executive officer.
Spicer said May 14 would be an acceptable date to hold the election, but the date has not been officially determined.
Clay Herrmann, a county resident and owner of Herrmann Realty, is behind the drive. Herrmann has been vocal in opposing the city’s 5-mile extraterritorial jurisdiction. State law gives cities the authority to enforce local planning and fire codes within the extraterritorial jurisdiction.
Northwest Arkansas, Pages 14 on 02/25/2013