Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Texarkana public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
21 issues with high priority
Mayoral Election Results
Texarkana, Arkansas has a new mayor: Tammy Waters beat Council Member Laney Harris with 69% of the vote. It’s a decisive win that could shift city priorities, so expect the new administration to start putting its stamp on local decisions.
Drive-thru rezoning request at 209 W 38th Street
A property owner wants to rezone 209 W 38th Street to General Retail to operate a drive-thru window. The spot is surrounded by apartments and single-family homes, and staff say the city's Future Land Use Map calls for Neighborhood Residential here, so they're recommending denial.
CDBG grant funding
A contract with JSG Homes, LLC was scheduled for consideration to reconstruct three homes under the state HOME Program, putting federal housing dollars to work locally.
Multifamily and retail development on South Bishop Road
A 13-acre tract at 2014 S. Bishop was rezoned to allow multifamily housing and general retail, opening the door to new apartments and shops in Ward 2.
Firefighter Contract Arbitration
Texarkana’s firefighters and the city couldn’t agree on a contract, so the dispute is going to arbitration. The outcome could shape firefighter pay, staffing levels, and how much the city spends on fire services.
Waco Street Reconstruction Project
The council approved a $2.6 million contract with Stan Excavating to rebuild Waco Street, paid from the 2022 bond fund voters approved.
Waste Management Contract Extension
The five-year contract extension keeps Waste Management as the city's hauler but ends its construction-dumpster exclusivity by March 1, 2028, letting small local haulers compete. Local operators pushed for a faster timeline.
Sunset Apartments redevelopment and accessibility
Ledge Capital wants the city's blessing to chase 4% low-income housing tax credits to rehab the 150-unit Sunset Apartments — $8.3 million in renovations with all units staying affordable. The formal no-objection vote comes June 8.
SWEPCO Electrical Substation Rebuild
SWEPCO won approval to rebuild its 50-plus-year-old substation next to the existing one in the 5700 block of Gin Road — critical infrastructure serving the hospital and the Richmond Road commercial corridor.
New School Zones for Parks Elementary
With Dunbar and Spring Lake Park elementaries closing, students move to Parks Elementary — so the city is adding 20 mph school zones on four streets and removing the old ones. Council Member Steve Thompson noted ongoing neighborhood complaints about traffic and speeding near drop-off and pickup.
Employee Health Insurance Cost Increases
Keeping United Healthcare for medical and dental costs the city about $1.8 million more than last year. Going self-insured would have cost even more — roughly $2.7 million extra — so the city stayed fully insured and will revisit self-insurance next year.
Planning and Zoning Agenda (cell Tower, Gym, Sign)
Texarkana’s Planning and Zoning Commission meets tonight at 6 to decide nine items, including a 105-foot cell tower near CHRISTUS ER, a new sports training gym, and a big sign on New Boston Road. If any of these are near you, you can show up and have a say.
Golf Ranch property exchange with Texas A&M University System
The city traded the 249.866-acre Golf Ranch to the Texas A&M System for 138.788 acres of buildable land near Oakwood subdivision, both valued at $2.5 million, and ended the golf course lease. The deal opens new land for future residential development.
SWEPCO Large Load Tariff Denial
The council denied SWEPCO's proposed special tariff for huge electricity users, sending it to state regulators. The concern: if projected big customers never materialize, regular ratepayers could foot the bill for grid upgrades.
Airport ARFF vehicle and service road grant projects
Several resolutions would let the airport apply for FAA grants totaling nearly $2.7 million for a new rescue/fire vehicle and a vehicle service road, mostly paid with federal and Arkansas aeronautics funds.
Flock license-plate cameras and surveillance privacy
Residents pressed the council to terminate the city's Flock surveillance camera contract, citing privacy, cybersecurity, and vendor-misconduct concerns raised in an investigative report. The council took no action but heard calls to place the item on a future agenda.
Texas Water Development Board grant application for water main replacement
The city is applying for up to $21 million in state grant funds to replace about 12.5 miles of leaky two-inch galvanized mains and recoup roughly $7.5 million spent on smart meters. Fewer leaks means better water service and pressure for residents.
Public Health Advisory
A boil water notice is currently active for parts of Texarkana, so make sure to heat your tap water before using it for drinking or cooking. It’s a temporary safety precaution, but definitely don't skip it if you're in the affected area.
Summerhill-Moores commercial development incentives
Up to $565,150 in incentives back a multi-phase, $18 million commercial project at Summerhill and Moores Lane that promises at least 30 jobs paying $50,000 or more.
Adoption of 2024 Building Codes and Regulations
The city updated all its construction codes — building, residential, energy, electrical, plumbing, gas, and mechanical — to current 2024/2023 editions, which affects how new homes and commercial buildings are permitted and built.
Proposed AI data center at TexAmericas Center
Eight residents urged the council to scrutinize or reject the proposed 4,000-acre AI data center, citing water use of up to 5 million gallons a day, rising utility bills, air and noise pollution, and warnings that the AI investment boom is a bubble. One resident presented an online petition with 2,433 signatures. The council took no action but heard the concerns at length.