Texarkana · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Texarkana public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Street repair schedule transparency
A board member asked whether the city's website posts a schedule of street bond repairs; the city manager said no but agreed to provide a proposed timeline that can then be posted publicly.
Agenda access for individual directors
Director Harris's ordinance would have let any director place items on the agenda without a second, workshop, or city-manager gatekeeping, restoring pre-July 2017 practice. It failed 3-4, leaving current rules in place.
Proposed sale of Millwood Lake water rights to Texas via Heartland Water Partners
Resident Sandy Burton urged the Board not to sell water to a Texas buyer, warning that coming data centers and future droughts will strain local aquifers. The Board did not act on the comment.
Alleged police investigation misconduct and request for independent probe
A former police sergeant told the Board his termination followed an internal affairs investigation with missing evidence, unrecorded interviews, racial disparate treatment, and alleged pre-hearing contact between the police chief and the Civil Service Commission. He asked the Board to order an independent investigation; the Board took no action.
Dilapidated and burned houses in Ward 2 / Carmichael Hill area
Director Harris pressed staff about burned and dilapidated houses on Burton, Prospect, and House streets that neighbors say are being used as drug houses, and asked when the city will clear them. She also asked about pursuing federal housing repair funds (H.B. 2606) and whether the regional council of governments could apply on the city's behalf.
Mayoral Election
Texarkana, Arkansas, has a mayoral race with two candidates on the ballot, and the winner will help set city policy for years. Before you vote, it’s worth knowing who’s running and what they stand for.
Liens on seven overgrown lots
The city's environmental department mowed 43 overgrown lots and is now placing liens to recover costs, which get collected ahead of property taxes.
Airport demolition of Lantz Lurry Juvenile Detention Center
The airport is tearing down the old juvenile detention center and clearing trees using a $60,000 low bid from Francis Excavating, paid by a state grant. Director Brewer also asked staff to see if the Lurry family wants the commemorative sign at the site.
North Texarkana Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion
The board signed off on a construction contract with Dixie Overland Construction to expand the North Texarkana wastewater treatment plant.
Board member compensation clarification
Director Laney Harris used board commentary to publicly clarify that Texarkana board members serve unpaid under state law, after residents have been asking what directors earn.
Election Voter Guide
Texarkana Gazette has a 2026 voter guide for the Ward 4 seat on the Texarkana, Arkansas Board of Directors, showing who’s running for that local seat. It’s a basic election resource, not a policy change—so the main impact is helping Ward 4 voters know their choices before they cast a ballot.
Water Supply Agreement
Texarkana, Arkansas, is set to vote on an emergency ordinance that would let the city start negotiating with a Dallas pipeline company to pull water from Millwood Lake. It’s not a done deal, but it could shape where the city gets its water for years—and what residents pay for it.
Truck jake-brake noise on the interstate
A resident asked the city to consider an ordinance or signage banning loud truck engine brakes between Jefferson and Fairgrounds Park. Staff will look into what the city can do and contact the state highway district.
Byrne JAG grant for police and Miller County
The police department gets $14,748 of a $22,122 federal grant for body armor; Miller County's sheriff's office gets $7,374 for radios.
Millwood Lake water sale to Texas
Texarkana holds about 150 million gallons per day in Millwood Lake water rights but only uses about 7 million. The city manager wants permission to apply to sell up to 110 million gallons a day to Texas buyers — potentially $16-20 million a year with no upfront city cost. Nothing is being sold yet; a special meeting around October 13 would only authorize the application.
Park lighting and neighborhood complaints
A resident complained that a neighborhood park near Ferguson and Garfield has no lights at all, a dead Seba Street bridge, and a misaimed streetlight — and asked that it be folded into the budget. The city manager agreed to explore it.
City Board Meeting
Director Harris again pushed to undo a 2017 rule requiring a second director's support via workshop before a denied item can reach the agenda. The city manager and attorney defended the current process as a legal safeguard, and the board tabled the ordinance 5-1 for reworking.
Airport 2027 budgets
The airport's capital and operating budgets passed with Arkansas covering about $211,600 of capital deficits and $455,952 of operating deficits. Directors asked when the airport might stop needing a city subsidy — staff pointed to the MRO project bringing roughly 150 jobs by decade's end.
City Manager Appointment and Housing Ordinance
In board commentary, Director Brewer asked about pursuing housing grants like the $2 million the Texas side obtained, whether a housing study is truly required, and about a Union Pacific meeting on the Seba Street underpass and Ninth Street crossing.