Texas County, Arkansas Board of Directors Meeting – January 21, 2026

The Board of Directors of Texas County, Arkansas, held its regular meeting on January 21, 2026. The agenda included public comments, approval of consent items, discussion and votes on airport and generator engineering contracts, acceptance of the 2024 audit report, a tax levy ordinance with an emergency clause, an honorary street renaming, and a new ordinance regulating truck stops. Board members also provided commentary on ward needs and future economic development initiatives.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the January 5, 2026 rescheduled meeting.
• Adopted resolutions authorizing the purchase of a 2025 Ford F250 SD from Government by Board McLarty Ford, a dump truck from Arc Latex RTEX Truck Center, and a Kubota Mini Excavator from River Valley Tractor. (Items 1, 4, 5, 6)

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tony Miller (owner, E Street Pawn and Jewelry, College Hill) stated he was not asking for a higher standard for the Ward II Director but for the same standard of fairness, transparency, and accountability as every citizen. He described being blocked on the director’s personal Facebook page, which he argued creates unequal access to official communications. He asked the board to amend bylaws to address the use of personal social media for official city business and to ensure constituents are not blocked from viewing or responding to discussions on public matters. He provided documentation of his business’s contributions, including raising over $50,000 for nonprofits, and expressed willingness to work with the director for the betterment of College Hill. In subsequent back-and-forth, Director Harris stated he blocked Mr. Miller due to name-calling, adding Mr. Miller could take the matter to court.
• Lee Dale Robinson (resident, 2100 East 11th Street) complained that Tri-State’s auto-crushing operation from 6:00 a.m. to midnight, six days a week, creates excessive noise in his neighborhood. He requested the board help enforce the noise ordinance or change the permitted operating hours. He noted that noise levels drop when someone from the city visits and urged unannounced inspections. He said earlier attempts to change the PUD failed because the city could not unilaterally alter the contract. Director Harris asked about external noise studies, and city officials agreed to obtain quotes for an independent study.
• Charles Loki thanked the board for the honorary street renaming for Staff Sergeant Denver Bull Randleman, sharing a personal connection: his great uncle served with the 101st Airborne and was killed on D-Day plus six, and he himself served with the 502nd PIR. He expressed hope that honoring such men would reduce division.

Discussion Items

Airport MRO Site Engineering Contract (Item 2)

• The airport executive director presented a resolution authorizing an engineering services agreement with McClellan Consulting Engineers for site development at the MRO project adjacent to Runway 13/31. Total project cost: $2,512,842.87, 95% funded by a TxDOT grant, with a 5% local match ($56,300.24 from Texas County, AR; $69,341.90 from Texas City, TX) from previously approved capital funds. Director Harris questioned a mileage calculation (42,000 miles) in the proposal, suggesting miscalculations may signal other issues. He expressed concern about the firm’s fees and the frequency of trips from Little Rock. The airport director committed to reviewing specific figures. The resolution passed (roll call: Director Roberts yes, Director Jewel yes, Mayor Brown yes; other directors’ votes not explicitly recorded in the transcript).

Emergency Generator Design Contract (Item 3)

• The city manager sought approval to contract with A.L. Franks Engineering for design of an emergency generator at City Hall. The fee is $20,500, funded through an Arkansas Division of Emergency Management grant and capital funds (city match $53,687.50). Director Harris questioned why a licensed electrician could not perform the work; staff explained that the scope includes not just the generator but also underground utilities and a full site plan requiring an engineer. The resolution passed unanimously.

2024 Audit Report (Item 7)

• David Coleman of Forbus Mazars presented the annual audit. Highlights: the city’s net position increased by $18.4 million year over year, primarily from a $13 million increase in airport investments and a $6–7 million reduction in pension liabilities. The general fund unassigned fund balance stood at 102 operating days, nearly double the 60-day benchmark recommended by GFOA. No material weaknesses or significant deficiencies were identified. The audit received an unmodified (clean) opinion on financial statements and state compliance. Director Harris asked about timelines for correcting deficiencies; the auditor responded that none were noted. The audit was accepted unanimously.

2026 Tax Levy Ordinance (Item 8)

• Ordinance levying property taxes for 2026, including an increase in the debt service millage from 2.5 to 5 mills to support the street bond. The ordinance required three readings and an emergency clause to reduce investor risk. All three readings and the adoption were unanimous. The emergency clause was also attached unanimously.

Honorary Street Renaming – Staff Sergeant Denver Bull Randleman (Item 9)

• A resolution to ceremonially designate East Ninth Street from Locust Street to the city limits as “Staff Sergeant Denver Bull Randleman Memorial Highway.” Mayor emphasized that this is honorary and does not change addresses. The Planning Commission had recommended approval. Director Harris suggested a future ceremony and possibly a public showing of the Band of Brothers series. The resolution passed unanimously.

Truck Stop Regulation Ordinance (Item 10)

• Ordinance to regulate full-service truck stops within the mixed-use highway zone. Key provisions: applies only to facilities with overnight parking, showers, minor repair, truck scales, etc.; requires a site plan, traffic impact study, drainage study, lighting plan, security camera plan, and driveway permit; inoperable vehicles must be removed within two weeks; lighting must be directed away from residential areas; location considerations include proximity to other truck stops and adjacent zoning. The Flying J will be rezoned to conform. Director Roberts asked about economic impact; no estimate was available. Director Harris sought clarification on other truck parking lots. The ordinance passed on second and third readings with Director Jewel voting no, but on final adoption she voted yes, making the final vote unanimous.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda (minutes, two vehicle purchases, one equipment purchase) approved unanimously.
• Airport engineering resolution adopted; Director Harris expressed concerns but the resolution passed.
• Generator engineering resolution adopted unanimously.
• 2024 audit report accepted as presented.
• 2026 tax levy ordinance adopted with emergency clause (unanimous).
• Honorary street naming resolution adopted unanimously.
• Truck stop ordinance adopted (final vote 6–0; Director Jewel voted no on second/third readings but yes on adoption).
• Board commentary: Director Harris urged residents to bring forward requests for street improvements (citing Hay, Mitchell, Baden streets) and to focus on community needs. Director Roberts suggested exploring a TIF district for College Hill; the mayor cautioned that such districts take years to produce funds. Assistant Mayor Brewer reported on a defensive driving program and Senate Bill 647 (economic development districts), directing staff to investigate. The board also went into executive session to make library board reappointments.