Texarkana City Board Meeting – April 6, 2026

The Texarkana (Arkansas) City Board of Directors met on April 6, 2026, at 6:00 PM in regular session, presided over by Mayor Brown. The meeting covered consent items, several ordinances, a major engineering contract for street rehabilitation, and community announcements. All items on the regular agenda were adopted, many with unanimous votes.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: Approved the minutes of the March 16, 2026 regular scheduled meeting.
• Resolution Supporting Miller County Red Dirt Master Gardeners Community Greenhouse Project: Adopted a resolution to support the community greenhouse project to be located at Terry Lee Rogers Recreation Center.
• Resolution for Tyler Technology MyGov Software Agreement: Authorized the city manager to enter into an implementation services and hosting agreement with Tyler Technology for the Public Works department's integrated software solutions.
• Vote: Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

Discussion Items

• Item 4 – Acceptance of Drainage Land Donation (0.12 acres): The city accepted a donation of a small parcel (0.12 acres, Parcel #1230150) from Michael Franklin and Stephen Mark Davis. The land is already maintained as a drainage easement by the city; the donor no longer wished to pay taxes on it. The resolution passed unanimously (7-0).
• Item 5 – Engineering Contract for 2025 Street Bond Rehab Project: The board awarded an engineering contract to A. L. Frank's Engineering for design of streets (Sammy Lane, Forest Street, Harris Lane, Rocky Creek Road). Estimated construction cost: $1,980,000; engineering fee: $140,500 ($103,000 design + $37,500 construction admin/inspection). Funding will come from the Public Works budget initially, with bond funds available June 2026. Discussion included concerns about total engineering costs (estimated $2 million across all projects) and the inability to hire an in-house engineer for all work. City staff explained the engineer's role: surveying, drainage design, base stabilization, asphalt mix, culvert evaluation, etc. Passed unanimously (7-0).
• Item 6 – Police Presence Requirements for Public Facilities Use (Ordinance Amendment): The ordinance was revised from a previous resolution (needed to be an ordinance). Key provisions: one security officer per 500 persons; for events with fewer than 2,500 persons, all officers can be private security; for 2,500–5,000 persons, a minimum of two must be TAPD (Texarkana Arkansas Police Department) officers; for each additional 2,500, add two more TAPD officers. Rates vary for officer, sergeant, lieutenant based on availability. Fee is collected by TAPD. The ordinance was given three readings and adopted on final vote 6-1 (Director Harris voted no).
• Item 7 – Private Club Approval for Lost Tacos (422 N. State Line Ave): Granted prerequisite municipal approval for a private club license application by Raphael Figaroa for Lost Tacos. Passed unanimously (7-0).
• Item 8 – Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) Ordinance: Adopted an ordinance to allow one accessory dwelling unit per lot with a single family home, complying with state law enacted by January 1, 2026. Key rules: ADU must have own cooking, sleeping, sanitation; minimum 10 ft from other structures; allowed in side/back yards (except A1 zone where front yard allowed); no additional parking required; not required to match primary home. Restrictive covenants still apply. An emergency clause was attached for immediate compliance. Final vote unanimous (7-0) for ordinance and for emergency clause.
• Item 9 – Accessory Structures in Side Yards (Amending K-286): Allowed accessory structures (e.g., sheds, boat covers) in side yards, provided they are behind the front building line. Previously limited to rear yard. Discussion on relationship with restrictive covenants. Ordinance passed 6-0-1 (Director Smith abstained).
• Item 10 – Rezoning for Flying J Truck Stop (8300/8315 State Hwy 108, Camper Lane): Changed zoning from C-3 (open display commercial) to Mixed-Use Highway to make the truck stop a legally conforming use, allowing future expansion. Previously it was legally non-conforming. Passed unanimously (7-0).

Key Outcomes

• Engineering Contract Awarded: A. L. Frank's Engineering selected for $140,500 in design fees for street rehab (bonds arriving June 30, 2026).
• Police Presence Ordinance Adopted (6-1): Requires TAPD officers at large events (≥2,500 persons) with a ratio of 1 per 500.
• ADU Ordinance Adopted with Emergency Clause: Immediately legalizes one accessory dwelling unit per single-family lot, per state mandate.
• Accessory Structures Allowed in Side Yards: Ordinance passes 6-0-1.
• Flying J Rezoned to Mixed-Use Highway: Unanimous approval.
• Future Meetings & Community Events: Board announced a ward meeting (April 30, 2026, 6-8pm at Recreation Center) and a series of four community meetings (April 7, 14, 21, 28) hosted by Director Harris. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for April 20, 2026, followed by an executive session on a Civil Service Commission appointment.