Texarkana, Arkansas Board of Directors Regular Meeting - July 20, 2026

The City of Texarkana, Arkansas Board of Directors held a regular meeting on July 20, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Municipal Building Boardroom. Mayor Brown presided with Directors Roberts, Holdesh, Tool, Smith, and Harris present (Harris initially noted absent but later participated in votes). The meeting included citizen comments, employee service awards, a consent calendar, and multiple resolutions and ordinances covering infrastructure, police agreements, private club licensing, and artificial intelligence policies.

Consent Calendar

• Ten items were initially placed on the consent agenda. Item 6 (airport CMAR contract) and Item 9 (street rehab projects) were removed for separate discussion.
• The remaining items (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11) were approved unanimously by voice vote. These included: approval of July 6 meeting minutes; purchase of water/wastewater treatment chemicals; Lakewood Elevated Tank contract; Johnson Lane water main extension; emergency generator at City Hall; amendment to engineering contract for 2025 street bond projects; award of engineering contract for additional street bond projects; and purchase of an asphalt injection truck.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sean Taylor (resident, 204 East Side Drive): Expressed concern about the Seabird bridge, closed for over two years. Noted safety impacts for emergency vehicles and the appearance of dirt piles. The Mayor responded that a grant from ARDOT is in place but ARDOT refused to allow demolition and temporary crossing until a feasibility study was completed; the city is now seeking funds to demolish and install a temporary crossing on its own, with hope to begin within weeks. Taylor also inquired about FEMA funds for creek erosion—staff reported the project is still pending due to FEMA staff changes—and about illegal ATV riding on the walking trail, overgrown lots, and spraying of right-of-way. The Mayor assured action on signage and maintenance.
• Mr. May (resident, 63 years old, Cobey Street area): Presented photos of a snake bite, tree damage from city mowing, and vehicle damage from potholes. Complained about lack of lot maintenance and stated he has been repeatedly put off. Mayor acknowledged the complaints and said public works would follow up.
• Jay Patel (owner, Sunrise RV Park): Reported that his water/sewer bill tripled from approximately $2,800 to $6,300 per month due to a new sewer charge of $31 per spot for 114 spots (totaling $3,500 additional). He said this represents 18% of his income and is unsustainable. Staff explained the current ordinance requires a minimum sewer bill per lot regardless of occupancy, and that the prior owner had not been properly billed. The Mayor and City Manager stated they are working on a potential ordinance change to address the situation, but no timeline was given.
• Sandy Burke (Texas side resident): Expressed concerns about the proposed use of AI and flock cameras, citing potential for surveillance and mistrust. She provided printed articles and mentioned a Facebook group (Deflock Texarkana). Urged the board to proceed cautiously.

Discussion Items

• Item 6 (Airport MRO Project – CMAR Contract): Director Jewell requested this item be removed from the consent agenda for discussion. Interim Airport Director Russ presented that the contract with Alltech Inc. is for pre-construction and construction manager-at-risk services for the maintenance repair overhaul (MRO) project. No money is associated with this phase; only a 3.5% fee on construction will apply later. The project is site preparation for a future paint hangar that will house aircraft such as 777s and C-130s and is expected to create about 160 jobs at $60,000/year. The total airport extension and MRO project is estimated at $40-50 million. The board voted to adopt the resolution approving the contract.
• Item 9 (Street Rehab Projects – Contract with Francis Excavating): Director Harris asked about the use of savings from the low bid. The City Manager explained that a contingency fund of $357,465.86 is included for unforeseen base failures. The contract amount is not to exceed $2,144,795.14. The board voted to adopt the resolution.
• Item 12 (Liens on Overgrown Lots): A public hearing was held for four properties with unpaid weed abatement liens. No public comment was made. The board adopted the resolution placing liens on the properties.
• Item 13 (Police Assistance MOU with UA Hope-Texarkana): Chief presented an intergovernmental agreement allowing mutual police assistance between TAPD and the university police department. The board adopted the resolution.
• Item 14 (Private Club Application – The Concho LLC): Applicant David Peavy requested municipal approval for a private club at 305 Front Street. Discussion included the tax burden on alcohol sales in Arkansas compared to Texas (29% vs. 8.25%). Peavy acknowledged the issue but said it is state-imposed. The ordinance was read three times and adopted with an emergency clause.
• Item 15 (Artificial Intelligence Usage Policy): Brandon presented an ordinance creating a generative AI policy to comply with state law requirements for grant eligibility. The policy includes unacceptable uses, requires trust-but-verify, and applies to all city employees. The ordinance was adopted with an emergency clause.
• Item 16 (Personnel Policy Update – AI and Housekeeping): Scott presented an ordinance amending the personnel policy to include AI provisions and update outdated titles (e.g., adding Chief Information Officer). The ordinance was adopted with an emergency clause.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda items 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11: Approved unanimously.
• Resolution (Item 6) authorizing airport director to enter CMAR contract with Alltech Inc.: Approved 6-0 on roll call.
• Resolution (Item 9) authorizing construction contract with Francis Excavating for street rehab: Approved 6-0 on roll call.
• Resolution (Item 12) placing liens on four overgrown lots: Approved 6-0 on roll call (Director Roberts abstained).
• Resolution (Item 13) approving MOU with UA Hope-Texarkana Police: Approved 6-0 on roll call.
• Ordinance (Item 14) granting private club approval for The Concho LLC: Adopted 6-0 on third reading, with emergency clause attached.
• Ordinance (Item 15) adopting generative AI usage policy: Adopted 6-0 on third reading, with emergency clause attached.
• Ordinance (Item 16) amending personnel policy to incorporate AI: Adopted 6-0 on third reading, with emergency clause attached.
• Board Commentary: Director Harris submitted a list of additional streets in Ward 2 that he believes need repair, including suggestions to chip seal Ferguson Street and address drainage issues on Grove Street. The list was given to the City Manager for future consideration.
• The board then entered executive session to consider an appointment to the Historic District Commission.