City manager reflects on city’s resiliency, economic struggles
Hot Springs’ resiliency and differing economic stories were two of the key points made by City Manager Bill Burrough during his pre-recorded State of the City address, which was shown Wednesday during the weekly meeting of Hot Springs National Park Rotary Club.
“We’re doing something a little bit different with this year’s State of the City,” Burrough told the club, live via Zoom. “We’ve recorded the State of the City this year. I think it’s better than me standing there at a podium, monotone for 20 minutes.”
Near the start of the video, Burrough quoted the “wise words” of the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Badder Ginsberg.
“‘So often in life, things that you regard as an impediment turn out to great good fortune,’” he quoted, noting, “Hopefully we are about to gain comfort and inspiration from these words in the months again.”
Burrough said the state of this city “continues to be that of a strong and resilient one,” noting, “fires, floods and pandemics are no stranger to Hot Springs, as we have faced down much adversity since our city was founded some 142 years ago.”
“Although when I look back on this past year, I’m reminded of the resiliency that makes Hot Springs such a great place to live, work and visit,” Burrough said.
In discussing the impact COVID-19 has had on Hot Springs in 2020, he said, “We braced for a grim revenue forecast as the pandemic brought about mandatory closures reduced operations and stricter regulations on nearly all of our businesses in Hot Springs, especially our small and locally owned businesses.
“As we close out the financials on 2020 our grim outlook has added color (with) the help of federal Cares Act funds and cost controls across departments.”
Noting that tourism is the second-largest economic industry in Arkansas, he said Hot Springs has “always prided itself on the scenic beauty of forest and mountains and pristine lakes all alongside outstanding dining options, numerous attractions.”
“We are weathering the storm and making great strides towards recovery, but the statistics I am going to share on our local economy tell two very different stories. On the one hand, you will see a stronger growth on city sales tax returns, but on the other hand, you will see a convention center and hospitality industry that has been left decimated,” he said.
The Hot Springs Convention Center, and local hotels, were badly affected by the coronavirus, he said.
“From the cancellation of the St. Patrick’s Day festivities to state basketball championship tournaments, Hot Springs has directly felt the impact of the pandemic and the grim outlook for our largest industry. The state’s largest and busiest convention center has been shuttered since early 2020, evidenced by the $1,500,000 lost in revenue. That equates to a loss of 155,000 in attendees to the convention center events,” he said.
“The city’s 3% advertising and promotion tax, collected by restaurants, hotel/motel businesses dropped over 11% or $783,000 when compared to 2019,” Burrough said.
In the early days of the pandemic, “When the need for masks, gloves, disinfectant and other personal protective equipment were in short supply, city and county leadership combined their collective resources to respond,” he said.
“The spirit of cooperation continues throughout this ongoing pandemic and will continue as we progress further into the vaccination stage of our state and community,” he said.
“Our community joined the rest of the nation in mourning the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers, and all those who are victims of systemic racism and social injustices,” Burrough said, but noted the protests in Hot Springs were different than the ones that occurred elsewhere.
“Unlike the property damage and loss of life that occurred at many areas, the Hot Springs community met these issues in a much different fashion,” he said. “Hot Springs has long been a place of peaceful gatherings since its beginning but our history often tells a different story of racial and economic equality issues.”
He said the Unity Coalition of Garland County, “a group comprised of pastors and community leaders, have pushed matters of social justice to the forefront.”
The efforts of these people “and others, have allowed Hot Springs to locally heal the divides that have long plagued our country,” Burrough said.
“The spirit of cooperation continues throughout this ongoing pandemic and will continue as we progress further into the vaccination stage of our state and community.”
— City Manager Bill Burrough