Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Texarkana public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
46 issues
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.
Surplus Water Sale Agreement
Texarkana, Arkansas, has taken the first step toward selling its surplus water to Texas, turning an extra resource into potential revenue. The deal could reshape how the twin cities manage water for years, but it’s only the beginning of the process.
Texarkana Youth Advisory Council
Twenty-three students were appointed to the 2026-2027 Youth Advisory Council, giving young leaders a formal role in city government.
2026-2027 Legislative Priorities
The city's wish list for the 2027 Texas Legislature pushes for more state funding for roads, water systems, and public safety, plus support for Red River Army Depot and historic recognition of Trammell's Trace.
Specific use permit for tattoo studio at 3101 New Boston Road
Owner Adriana Herrera requested a specific use permit allowing tattooing at 3101 New Boston Road. The permit would open the door for a new small business on the corridor.
Specific use permit for outdoor car lot at 1630 N Robison Road
C Sue Smith requested a specific use permit for an outdoor car lot on a nearly six-acre tract on N Robison Road.
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.
Digital Government Services
The city is promoting its MyGov TXK portal, letting residents report potholes, streetlight outages, code violations, and missed trash pickups from their phone — with a paper trail and case tracking.
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.
Airport demolition of JD Facility
The Texarkana Regional Airport was set to receive a $60,000 demolition contract for the JD Facility, half-funded by an Arkansas Division of Aeronautics grant.
Firefighter Union Contract Dispute
Texarkana’s firefighter union rejected the city’s contract offer, so the pay fight is heading to arbitration. An outside arbitrator will now help decide firefighter pay and benefits, and whatever they decide will hit the city budget.
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.
Removal of W. 14th/Olive traffic signal
The signal at West 14th and Olive no longer meets state warrants and is being replaced with two-way stops on Olive Street.
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.
Water and Sewer Revenue Bonds and Tax Notes
The city sold $20.75 million in 25-year utility bonds at 4.88 percent — better than expected — funding utility projects with about $480,000 in debt-service savings and level payments for budget certainty.
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.
Lead Service Line Study
The council was scheduled to approve a contract with WSB, LLC for a predictive lead service line model, with the city's share about $438,000 from 2023 water and sewer bonds. It's part of meeting federal lead-pipe rules.
FY 2027 Budget and Property Tax Rate
The citizen budget committee has started meeting, with a water utilities deep-dive May 12 and a joint session with the council May 27 — the start of the FY 26-27 budget conversation.
November 2026 general election call for Wards 3 and 5
The council formally called the November election for the Ward 3 and Ward 5 council seats.
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.
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.
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.
Utility Infrastructure Contracts
Four sewer and water projects approved on consent: Lakeridge Drive sewer extension, North Street water looping, Spring Lake Park sewer replacement, and the big one — $535,198.50 for West 32nd Street sewer main replacement.
Airport Runway Overlay Change Order
The airport runway project got a thicker surface — an extra inch of asphalt — within the already-approved $16.86 million contract ceiling.
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.
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.
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.
Water conservation and drought contingency plan
The council was scheduled to consider adopting the city's Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan, which guides water-use restrictions during shortages.
Red River Army Depot fire and emergency management agreements
Two memoranda of agreement with Red River Army Depot for fire protection and emergency management services were up for approval, formalizing mutual emergency support.
Swanger Complex naming rights with Ritter Communications
A proposed sponsorship deal would name the Swanger Complex concessions building and courtyard the "Right Fiber Fan Zone" in exchange for Ritter Communications sponsorship dollars.
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.
Roller Skating Rink Development Approval
Texarkana’s city council is set to vote on a new roller skating rink on New Boston Road. If approved, it would add a recreation option in town and could shape what gets built nearby. The decision is worth watching if you care about local entertainment or neighborhood 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.
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.
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.
Millwood water plant maintenance
The River Bend fee on water bills funds a $490 million regional treatment plant planned near TexAmericas Center. Residents question why the fee jumped in October, who chose the location, and whether large employers will share the cost.
Civic Education
Ever feel like local government is a total mystery? This new guide breaks down exactly who runs Texarkana and how to actually get things done in our city.
Finley and Grandview Park improvements
A south-side resident said Finley and Grandview parks lack parking, restrooms, and play equipment, and asked whether the new parks plan addresses them. Staff confirmed Finley Park needs major attention but sits partly in a floodway, complicating grant funding; the master plan lists specific improvements.
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.
Parks and Trails Master Plan
A new 20-year parks plan is headed for a June 8 vote. Top community requests: connecting trails, more shade trees, ADA accessibility, and a multi-use event facility. The city completed every goal from the 2009 plan.
Runway 4-22 extension project
The council approved a bundle of airport items covering the Runway 4-22 extension and overlay: a $15.79 million construction contract with Tatum Excavating, engineering administration agreements, and securing up to $20.8 million in federal funding. It's largely grant-funded and keeps the regional airport growing.
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.
LENDEM Solutions Chapter 380 Agreement
The city is setting up property tax abatements under Chapter 312 to pair with its existing job-based Chapter 380 incentives, starting with a deal worth up to $360,960 for a commercial project at Summerhill and Moores Lane.