Texas County, Arkansas Board of Directors Regular Meeting – December 17, 2025

The Board of Directors for the City of Texas County, Arkansas, convened on December 17, 2025, to address public concerns, hear presentations, and vote on key financial and administrative actions. Major actions included the approval of the FY 2026 city budget, an increase to the Arkansas pension plan, a new fee schedule for police training facilities, and an engineering contract for the first phase of the 2025 street bond projects. Citizens voiced strong concerns about dangerous dogs and an unresolved commercial truck issue. (Note: Transcript internal documents date the resolutions as December 16, 2025).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Freight Truck Issue (Miss Scamble/Gamble): A resident expressed frustration over a freight truck repeatedly parking on Ferguson Street. She stated that she had contacted code enforcement, the police (who did not respond), and the city manager’s office twice over several weeks without resolution. The city manager acknowledged the report and stated he had directed officers to look for the truck.
• Dangerous Dog Attacks (Tony, College Hill Resident): A resident spoke on behalf of concerned citizens in the College Hill neighborhood regarding two pit bulls that repeatedly escaped their yard. He detailed attacks on his mother’s dog, noted that neighbors including elderly retirees and a former police captain’s widow had been threatened, and raised safety concerns for children at College Elementary School. The speaker criticized the enforcement process, stating that animal control requires photographic evidence even when multiple eyewitnesses are available, and urged the board to revamp ordinances to allow for the confiscation of dangerous animals. Board members discussed collaborating witness statements to create a stronger protocol for enforcement.

Presentations & Reports

• Military and Veteran Friendly Community Proclamation: Mayor Alan Brown read a joint proclamation with Texarkana, Texas, declaring December 8, 2025, as “United States Armed Forces Day” and committing to becoming a premier military and veteran-friendly community. State Representative Dolly and chamber intern Hannah Jarrett spoke in support of the initiative.
• 2025 Street Bond Update (City Manager Tyler): An update was provided on the street bond timeline. An engineering contract for the first phase of projects (24th, 48th, and Oak Streets) was presented for approval. The South State Line road project will be coordinated with the Texas side to be done under their maintenance contracts. A tax levy is expected in January, bonds to be issued in May, and construction is anticipated to begin in May or June 2026. Drainage projects are planned as summer projects and will be contracted out.

Consent Calendar

• The board approved a consent agenda consisting of the approval of minutes from the rescheduled December 2nd meeting, a resolution authorizing change orders for a 24-inch transmission main project, and a resolution authorizing a contract with Plumber and Associates for a sewer collection system master plan.

Discussion Items

• Street Bond Engineering Contract (Director Harris Pulls Item): Director Harris requested the removal of the engineering contract with A.L. Franks Engineering from the consent agenda. He questioned whether the work could be spread among multiple firms. The city manager explained the RFQ process and stated that both A.L. Franks and Spears Engineering would be utilized. The resolution, valued at $295,640 for the design of East 24th, East 48th, and Oak Streets, was approved via roll call vote.
• Pension/Retirement Plan Increase: Gary presented a request to grant a one-time 10% increase for all employees in the Arkansas retirement plan and an ongoing 3% COLA for retirees in the TWU Arkansas Retirement Plan. The plan has 29 participants and a current market value of $3.2 million. The increase represents a $297,590 liability, but the plan would still retain over $2.1 million after all benefits are paid. The board approved the resolution unanimously.
• Police Department Training Fee Schedule: The Police Chief introduced an ordinance to establish fees for the use of the department’s training center and firing range. Revenue will be placed in a specific project code to fund further training improvements, with the goal of creating a self-sustaining revenue stream. The ordinance was read three times and passed with an emergency clause.
• Fiscal Year 2026 Budget: Finance Director Sheena Washington and the City Manager presented the final budget. Revenues and expenditures are balanced at $64 million. The budget hinges on a $1.8 million surplus carried over from 2025. The city is absorbing the full cost of health insurance increases ($420,000). A new High Deductible Health Plan with an HSA is being offered. Sales tax revenues are projected to decrease by 2%. Five police officer positions have been frozen in the budget. Inmate housing costs at the Miller County jail are increasing from $50 to $55 per bed. Director Harris raised strong objections regarding the use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, arguing they should be prioritized for housing studies, sidewalks, and infrastructure improvements in low-to-moderate-income neighborhoods rather than for city buildings like the recreation center and Habitat for Humanity projects. He also pressed for sidewalk projects on 9th Street and Division Street and criticized the slow pace of projects in poorer neighborhoods. Mayor Brown cautioned the board, describing the budget as the “slimmest” in his seven years on the board and operating with “no margin for error.” He stated that if revenues do not increase significantly in 2026, the city could operate at a deficit and dip below the required 60-day fund balance. Despite the concerns, the budget resolution was approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• FY 2026 Budget Approved: The $64 million operating budget for the City of Texas County, Arkansas, was adopted.
• Pension Increase Adopted: A 10% one-time increase for current employees and a 3% COLA for retirees in the TWU Arkansas pension plan were approved.
• Police Training Fees Established: An ordinance creating fees for police training facilities was passed with an emergency clause.
• Street Bond Engineering Contract Awarded: A.L. Franks Engineering was contracted for $295,640 to design the first street bond projects.
• Dog Ordinance Review: The city manager committed to reviewing animal control protocols regarding witness statements and evidentiary requirements with the police and animal control departments.
• Next Meeting: The board announced its next regular meeting will be on Monday, January 5, 2026.