HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — On Tuesday, the Hot Springs Board of Directors withdrew a proposed ordinance that would've brought new rules regarding landlords providing adequate air conditioning.
The proposed ordinance would have forced landlords to cool the air in apartments at least 15 degrees below the outside temperature.
This comes after residents at the Greenbriar Apartments expressed their frustrations about paying for an air conditioning unit, something that's enforced by management and the owner of the complex.
While the city withdrew the proposed ordinance because of concerns, the Hot Springs Board of Directors clarified that the conversation isn't over.
"I do want to make sure that the people in the audience, people at home, or anyone watching by no means is this any indication that this isn't important," Hot Springs District 1 Director Erin Holliday said. "It will not be a can kicked down the road."
For tenants at the Greenbriar Apartments, waiting is something they said they aren't sure they can do.
"People are struggling," Greenbriar tenant Keishon Hicks said. "It is a housing crisis in Hot Springs, and I just wish the city had offered some solution."
It's a thought shared by some board members, including Hot Springs City Director Phyllis Beard.
"I understand it's being tabled to October," Beard said. "But honestly, the tenants don't need air conditioning in October... they need it now."
There is some relief for the tenants at Greenbriar as a Garland County judge issued a temporary restraining order halting the removal of air conditioning units at the complex through Aug. 14.
The city manager will now form a committee of landlords and tenants to rework the idea and revisit the conversation back up in the future.