Texarkana, Arkansas City Council Special Called Meeting - October 13, 2026

The Texarkana, Arkansas City Council held a special called meeting on October 13, 2026, to consider an ordinance authorizing an exclusivity agreement with Heartland Water Partners, LLC, the Southwest Arkansas Water District, and other participants, and authorizing an application to the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (ANRC) for out-of-state water transfer. The meeting included presentations, board discussion, public comments, and unanimous approval.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A representative of the Southwest Arkansas Water District clarified the district's role as a passthrough for collecting payments to the Corps of Engineers, noting the city is the actual seller of water.
• Former mayor and former director (Mr. Gray) spoke in strong support, describing the water sale as a unique revenue opportunity similar to a successful deal in Grimes County, Texas, without requiring tax abatements or infrastructure investments.
• Citizen Dennis Young read a statement strongly supporting the proposal, arguing the city faces a severe budgetary shortfall and that the water sale could bring $10 million or more annually for 40 years at zero cost to the city.
• Citizen Shannon Rose criticized the board for dismissing Director Harris's questions and for lacking collaboration with Texarkana, Texas. She expressed opposition to selling water as a commodity and disappointment with the board's demeanor.

Discussion Items

• Tyler Richards, representing the administration, presented the project as a 10-year effort. He explained that the city already owns water rights to 99.8 million gallons per day (MGD) acquired in 2016 for $27 million, paid over 50 years at $541,000 annually. Currently, unused water is released downstream. The ordinance only authorizes an application to the ANRC; no sale is authorizes. The city would retain 40 MGD for its own needs. Heartland would pay a $550,000 reservation payment upon application submission, a second $550,000 upon ANRC approval, and a third upon legislative approval. If the application is denied, the city keeps the first payment. During construction of a pipeline, the city would receive about 50% of the sale price as reservation payments (estimated $10 million out of a potential $20 million total sale price). Construction estimated 12-18 months engineering plus 4 years construction.
• Board members asked questions about exclusivity, ability to negotiate with others, opt-out clauses, lithium prospects, water measurement, and financial benefits to citizens.
• Director Harris raised concerns about protecting citizens' interests, ensuring water bill reductions, and using proceeds for infrastructure rather than salaries.
• Director Young asked about timeline: ANRC has 120 days to review; application must be submitted by November 2026 to stay within the legislative session.
• Director Brewer answered questions, emphasizing the application process does not commit the city to a sale.

Key Outcomes

• The council voted unanimously (6-0) to approve the ordinance on three readings: first reading automatic, second and third readings passed unanimously.
• The council also voted unanimously to attach an emergency clause to the ordinance, making it effective immediately.
• The ordinance authorizes the execution of the exclusivity agreement and submission of the application to the ANRC.
• Next meeting scheduled for October 18, 2026.