Summary
The A&P hospitality tax process is under fire after early funding went to the water park (via P23 Consulting) and a bass tournament without public notice, while longtime local events like Juneteenth and the Scholars youth program were told no 2026 funds existed. Directors and citizens are demanding bylaw fixes and a special meeting so local applicants can seek the funds freed up when the bond proposal failed.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 3
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Jul 6, 2026.
Impact analysis
About $181,000 in A&P tax money is committed to the water park award but not yet paid, and a substantial amount of freed-up bond funds could go to local event organizers.
Fixing the process would put local event organizers and taxpayers on equal footing with well-connected applicants.
Local organizers like the Scholars and Juneteenth were denied funding while outside applicants received early awards.
Mentions & discussions (3)
Texarkana, Arkansas A&P Commission to hire first executive director, targets January start
Texarkana, Arkansas A&P Commission to hire first executive director, targets January start Texarkana Today
Board of Directors - Jul 6, 2026
A&P committee member George Dotson warned that repealing the Advertising and Promotion tax would leave zero dollars for tourism marketing, festivals and events in Texarkana, Arkansas. City leadership signaled interest in a phased replacement rather than outright elimination.
Board of Directors - May 18, 2026
The A&P hospitality tax process is under fire after early funding went to the water park (via P23 Consulting) and a bass tournament without public notice, while longtime local events like Juneteenth and the Scholars youth program were told no 2026 funds existed. Directors and citizens are demanding bylaw fixes and a special meeting so local applicants can seek the funds freed up when the bond proposal failed.
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