Texarkana · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Texarkana public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Drive-thru rezoning request at 209 W 38th Street
John O'Shaughnessy requested rezoning several tracts on New Boston Road from General Retail to Commercial, expanding permissible uses on the site.
Airport demolition of JD Facility
The Texarkana Regional Airport was set to receive a $60,000 demolition contract for the JD Facility, half-funded by an Arkansas Division of Aeronautics grant.
Specific use permit for tattoo studio at 3101 New Boston Road
Owner Adriana Herrera requested a specific use permit allowing tattooing at 3101 New Boston Road. The permit would open the door for a new small business on the corridor.
Specific use permit for outdoor car lot at 1630 N Robison Road
C Sue Smith requested a specific use permit for an outdoor car lot on a nearly six-acre tract on N Robison Road.
Digital Government Services
The city is promoting its MyGov TXK portal, letting residents report potholes, streetlight outages, code violations, and missed trash pickups from their phone — with a paper trail and case tracking.
Texarkana Youth Advisory Council
Twenty-three students were appointed to the 2026-2027 Youth Advisory Council, giving young leaders a formal role in city government.
2026-2027 Legislative Priorities
The city's wish list for the 2027 Texas Legislature pushes for more state funding for roads, water systems, and public safety, plus support for Red River Army Depot and historic recognition of Trammell's Trace.
CDBG grant funding
A contract with JSG Homes, LLC was scheduled for consideration to reconstruct three homes under the state HOME Program, putting federal housing dollars to work locally.
Multifamily and retail development on South Bishop Road
A 13-acre tract at 2014 S. Bishop was rezoned to allow multifamily housing and general retail, opening the door to new apartments and shops in Ward 2.
Lead Service Line Study
The council was scheduled to approve a contract with WSB, LLC for a predictive lead service line model, with the city's share about $438,000 from 2023 water and sewer bonds. It's part of meeting federal lead-pipe rules.
FY 2027 Budget and Property Tax Rate
The citizen budget committee has started meeting, with a water utilities deep-dive May 12 and a joint session with the council May 27 — the start of the FY 26-27 budget conversation.
Waco Street Reconstruction Project
A $375,693 contract will rebuild Pine Street and convert it to southbound one-way traffic from W. 3rd to N. State Line, with a new stop sign at State Line — drivers will need to adjust their routes.
Waste Management Contract Extension
The five-year contract extension keeps Waste Management as the city's hauler but ends its construction-dumpster exclusivity by March 1, 2028, letting small local haulers compete. Local operators pushed for a faster timeline.
Water and Sewer Revenue Bonds and Tax Notes
The city sold $20.75 million in 25-year utility bonds at 4.88 percent — better than expected — funding utility projects with about $480,000 in debt-service savings and level payments for budget certainty.
Removal of W. 14th/Olive traffic signal
The signal at West 14th and Olive no longer meets state warrants and is being replaced with two-way stops on Olive Street.
Sunset Apartments redevelopment and accessibility
Ledge Capital wants the city's blessing to chase 4% low-income housing tax credits to rehab the 150-unit Sunset Apartments — $8.3 million in renovations with all units staying affordable. The formal no-objection vote comes June 8.
November 2026 general election call for Wards 3 and 5
The council formally called the November election for the Ward 3 and Ward 5 council seats.
Airport Runway Overlay Change Order
The airport runway project got a thicker surface — an extra inch of asphalt — within the already-approved $16.86 million contract ceiling.
SWEPCO Electrical Substation Rebuild
SWEPCO won approval to rebuild its 50-plus-year-old substation next to the existing one in the 5700 block of Gin Road — critical infrastructure serving the hospital and the Richmond Road commercial corridor.
Utility Infrastructure Contracts
Four sewer and water projects approved on consent: Lakeridge Drive sewer extension, North Street water looping, Spring Lake Park sewer replacement, and the big one — $535,198.50 for West 32nd Street sewer main replacement.
Employee Health Insurance Cost Increases
Keeping United Healthcare for medical and dental costs the city about $1.8 million more than last year. Going self-insured would have cost even more — roughly $2.7 million extra — so the city stayed fully insured and will revisit self-insurance next year.
New School Zones for Parks Elementary
With Dunbar and Spring Lake Park elementaries closing, students move to Parks Elementary — so the city is adding 20 mph school zones on four streets and removing the old ones. Council Member Steve Thompson noted ongoing neighborhood complaints about traffic and speeding near drop-off and pickup.
SWEPCO Large Load Tariff Denial
A resident pointed the council to a growing petition opposing data centers in the region and urged the city to act, noting some cities have enacted moratoriums.
Water conservation and drought contingency plan
The council was scheduled to consider adopting the city's Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan, which guides water-use restrictions during shortages.
Red River Army Depot fire and emergency management agreements
Two memoranda of agreement with Red River Army Depot for fire protection and emergency management services were up for approval, formalizing mutual emergency support.
Airport ARFF vehicle and service road grant projects
Several resolutions would let the airport apply for FAA grants totaling nearly $2.7 million for a new rescue/fire vehicle and a vehicle service road, mostly paid with federal and Arkansas aeronautics funds.
Flock license-plate cameras and surveillance privacy
Residents pressed the council to terminate the city's Flock surveillance camera contract, citing privacy, cybersecurity, and vendor-misconduct concerns raised in an investigative report. The council took no action but heard calls to place the item on a future agenda.
Golf Ranch property exchange with Texas A&M University System
The city traded the 249.866-acre Golf Ranch to the Texas A&M System for 138.788 acres of buildable land near Oakwood subdivision, both valued at $2.5 million, and ended the golf course lease. The deal opens new land for future residential development.
Texas Water Development Board grant application for water main replacement
The city is applying for up to $21 million in state grant funds to replace about 12.5 miles of leaky two-inch galvanized mains and recoup roughly $7.5 million spent on smart meters. Fewer leaks means better water service and pressure for residents.
Swanger Complex naming rights with Ritter Communications
A proposed sponsorship deal would name the Swanger Complex concessions building and courtyard the "Right Fiber Fan Zone" in exchange for Ritter Communications sponsorship dollars.
Public Health Advisory
A boil water notice is currently active for parts of Texarkana, so make sure to heat your tap water before using it for drinking or cooking. It’s a temporary safety precaution, but definitely don't skip it if you're in the affected area.
Summerhill-Moores commercial development incentives
The council created a reinvestment zone and approved a Chapter 312 tax abatement for a commercial project at Summerhill Road and Moores Lane, along with related Chapter 380 incentive changes — incentives aimed at drawing new commercial development and jobs.
Millwood water plant maintenance
The council approved hiring Hart Contractors to clean the Millwood Water Treatment Plant sludge ponds for up to $412,300, keeping the water plant operating properly.
Civic Education
Ever feel like local government is a total mystery? This new guide breaks down exactly who runs Texarkana and how to actually get things done in our city.
Finley and Grandview Park improvements
A south-side resident said Finley and Grandview parks lack parking, restrooms, and play equipment, and asked whether the new parks plan addresses them. Staff confirmed Finley Park needs major attention but sits partly in a floodway, complicating grant funding; the master plan lists specific improvements.
Adoption of 2024 Building Codes and Regulations
The fire department wants to jump from the 2018 to the 2024 International Fire Code to match building inspections — adding rules for lithium battery storage, occupiable roofs and carbon monoxide detectors. Hearing and vote June 8.
Parks and Trails Master Plan
A new 20-year parks plan is headed for a June 8 vote. Top community requests: connecting trails, more shade trees, ADA accessibility, and a multi-use event facility. The city completed every goal from the 2009 plan.
LENDEM Solutions Chapter 380 Agreement
The city is setting up property tax abatements under Chapter 312 to pair with its existing job-based Chapter 380 incentives, starting with a deal worth up to $360,960 for a commercial project at Summerhill and Moores Lane.
Proposed AI data center at TexAmericas Center
Eight residents urged the council to scrutinize or reject the proposed 4,000-acre AI data center, citing water use of up to 5 million gallons a day, rising utility bills, air and noise pollution, and warnings that the AI investment boom is a bubble. One resident presented an online petition with 2,433 signatures. The council took no action but heard the concerns at length.
Runway 4-22 extension project
The council approved a bundle of airport items covering the Runway 4-22 extension and overlay: a $15.79 million construction contract with Tatum Excavating, engineering administration agreements, and securing up to $20.8 million in federal funding. It's largely grant-funded and keeps the regional airport growing.