AMP Commission Special Called Meeting: 2026 Grant Funding Discussion - May 26, 2026

The Texarkana, Arkansas Advertising and Promotion (A&P) Commission held a special called meeting on May 26, 2026, to discuss 2026 grant funding and hear funding requests. With only three of the five current commissioners present (Chairman Brewer, Commissioner Jewel, Commissioner Dotson; Commissioners Mills and Holmes absent), the meeting focused on procedural disagreements over whether to immediately consider two applications or first hold a workshop to establish funding guidelines. After extensive public comment and debate, the commission voted to extend the application deadline to June 9, 2026, and table the two pending requests until after that date. The meeting also included discussion of a previously funded event (KM Sports/Clint Black) where the date is no longer confirmed.

Consent Calendar

• None.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Representative from WC4 (Winter Circle 4): Explained that their group has a contract with the city to promote Front Street and organize events (Cat Fishing Tournament, Fall Festival, Santa's Workshop). She stated that tabling the request might harm their ability to execute events due to tight timelines, but respected commissioners' desire for a full board. She noted their funding request is for contracted city events, not personal projects.
• Diane Patterson (Sales Manager, Hampton Inn – Arkansas side): Expressed concern about fairness in funding allocation, stating that her hotel's owner questions where A&P tax dollars go. She offered to provide data on heads-in-beds from events and urged the commission to require promoters to prove past event success and room night generation. She stated the hotel pays approximately $78,000–$79,000 annually in A&P taxes.
• Representative from City Beautiful Commission: Stated that downtown could suffer this summer due to delayed funds, but noted that the commission reallocated $10,000 to City Beautiful in January for use in 2026. She planned to submit an application for fall funding.
• Sandy Burton: Asked that concerns about data centers coming to the area be placed on a future agenda, but was informed this is outside the A&P Commission's purview. She was directed to contact the city manager.

Discussion Items

• 2026 Grant Funding Process: Chairman Brewer proposed extending the application period to allow more community organizations to apply, noting that previous notice was insufficient. Commissioners Dotson and Brewer expressed discomfort voting on applications with only three members present, preferring to wait for a full commission. They also noted the meeting was originally scheduled as a workshop and that they had not had time to review the applications sent on Friday afternoon. The group debated whether to hear the two pending applications immediately or table them. After public input, the commission agreed to set a new application deadline of June 9, 2026, at 5:00 PM and to schedule a funding meeting shortly after, once all commissioners are available (Commissioner Holmes returns June 11). The commission will accept applications for 2026 funding during this period.
• Scholars Funding Request (tabled): The applicants indicated they were not comfortable presenting that day. A motion to table until the next funding period was made, seconded, and approved unanimously (3-0).
• Winter Circle (WC4) Funding Request (tabled): The representative asked to be tabled alongside the scholars. A motion to table was made, seconded, and approved unanimously (3-0).
• KM Sports (Clint Black) Discussion: Staff reported that KM Sports initially pitched a September 12, 2026 date for Clint Black, but that date is no longer available (the performer was booked elsewhere). The original fallback date of October 30 is also unconfirmed. The commission discussed tabling this item as well and directed staff to contact KM Sports to confirm a new date. No formal vote was taken; it was treated as discussion only.
• Meeting Time Concern: Commissioner Dotson expressed that 10:00 AM Tuesday meetings are difficult for the public to attend and suggested the commission consider alternative times.

Key Outcomes

• Deadline Extended: Applications for 2026 A&P grant funding must be submitted by 5:00 PM on Wednesday, June 9, 2026. Public notice will be sent via newspaper, city website, A&P website, and to prior applicants. Applicants are urged to complete the application fully.
• Two Funding Requests Tabled: The funding requests from the Scholars group and Winter Circle (WC4) were tabled by unanimous vote (3-0). They will be heard at a future meeting after the June 9 deadline, when all commissioners are expected to be present.
• KM Sports Item Held: No action taken; staff to follow up on availability of a new date for the Clint Black event. The item may be revisited at the next meeting.
• No Applications Approved: No new funding was awarded at this meeting.
• Commission Vacancy: Chairman Brewer reminded the public that there is an open seat on the A&P Commission (Article 1, Section 3) for a qualified applicant (owner/manager of a restaurant or hotel). Applications are being accepted.