Texarkana, Arkansas board approves $29.4 million bond issue for streets and drainage

The Texarkana, Arkansas Board of Directors approved a $29.41 million bond issue Tuesday night to pay for voter-approved street and drainage work, signed off on a new $675,000 fire pumper and worked through a long list of constituent complaints — including renewed questions about safety at the city’s water park.

$29.4 million in bonds

Directors passed an ordinance authorizing $29,410,000 in limited tax general obligation capital improvement and refunding bonds, Series 2026. Bond counsel Jim Fowler of the Rose Law Firm told the board the bonds carry out the funding package voters approved in November: $2,375,000 to refund the city’s 2012 bonds, $41,925,000 for street improvements and $5,350,000 for drainage, all backed by a 5-mill ad valorem tax.
From this issue, roughly $1.14 million will refund the 2012 bonds, about $24.46 million goes to streets and about $4.18 million to drainage. The bonds were sold to Stephens Inc. for $29,489,540 — a figure that includes a $373,640.45 premium paid by bondholders — and will be insured by Assured Guaranty, with Bank OZK serving as trustee. They mature annually from 2028 through 2051.
Fowler said a significant share of the voter-approved authorization remains for future bonds: about $17.46 million for streets and roughly $1.17 million for drainage. Asked whether the state’s increased homestead credit would affect the deal, Fowler said it would lower the taxes homeowners pay but that the official statement was prepared with the change factored in and still shows adequate coverage for the bonds.
The ordinance was read three times with an emergency clause and passed unanimously.

New fire pumper

The board approved a finance agreement with Government Capital Corporation for a new fire pumper. Fire Chief Fletcher said the department operates seven trucks — two of them reserves more than 20 years old — and needs to retire its oldest engine, move the 2012 frontline truck to reserve and add a new pumper to keep up its ISO rating and response times.
The truck, purchased through the HGAC government purchasing cooperative for $675,384, will be financed over 10 years beginning June 2027 at $88,782.39 a year. The oldest truck, a 2003 model, will be auctioned. Fletcher said he gathered quotes from Rosenbauer, Pierce and Spartan and the chosen price was the lowest, and that buying now avoids a projected 12% price increase in 2027. The resolution passed unanimously.

Shade structure draws scrutiny

Director Jewell pulled the Ingram Park shade structure from the consent agenda, questioning why the city would buy the $43,522.53 structure from ACS Playground Adventures through the SourceWell purchasing cooperative without seeking competitive local bids. Staff explained that SourceWell is a state-recognized government cooperative that runs its own bidding process — weighing price, experience and quality — and that Arkansas law allows cities to buy through it without bidding.

Staff said the installation is more involved than it appears, requiring crews to drill roughly nine-foot piers, set footings, pour concrete and erect a steel roof structure, and that city employees should not attempt the work. The project is funded through a Community Development Block Grant public facilities line. The resolution passed 5-2, with Harris and Jewell voting no.
Two rezonings, animal adoption trailer, service award

The board adopted two amendments to ordinance K-286. One rezoned 48 Big Rock Circle from R1 rural residential to A1 limited mixed use so the owner can build a private storage structure before constructing a home; planning staff said there was no opposition. The other rezoned 1206 Phillips Lane from M1 limited manufacturing back to R3 low density residential, correcting a roughly 2000-era rezoning that staff said was never actually necessary for the owners’ electrical business; the owners now want to build a residence. Both passed unanimously with emergency clauses.

On consent, the board also approved purchasing a mobile adoption trailer from Heartstra Manufacturing LLC for the city’s animal care and adoption center, along with the May 18 meeting minutes.
The meeting opened with a 20-year service award for Christopher King of the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department.

Water park safety, housing and a backlog of requests

In an extended board commentary, Director Harris pressed the city manager on a list of constituent concerns. He renewed a call for the city to fund a housing repair program and pushed back on the city manager’s position that a housing study should come first. He said constituents had been told they need a $1 million bond to demolish houses in the city; the city manager said those are state contractor-licensing requirements, not city rules.

Harris also called for an ordinance requiring the city’s water park to file regular safety reports — covering lifeguard staffing, training, certifications and incidents. He said a girl died at the water park last year and that the incident was initially characterized as a medical emergency, and argued that an operation receiving $181,000 in public money should be held accountable for public safety. The city attorney said he would look into what the city can require.

Harris ran through a backlog of maintenance requests, some dating back years: an uncleaned creek at Pinehurst and Morrison Street, overgrown lots, a ditch at 1602 Garfield, lights requested at Bramble Park five years ago, an open ditch at Ernest Hill Park, a long-standing dirt pile at Hobo Park along Division Street, and a flood mitigation plan for the Jones Creek area. He also raised concerns about the city’s use of Roundup and other herbicides near a creek and about employee safety gear during spraying. The city manager said crews use the protective equipment required by the chemicals’ safety data sheets.

A&P Commission under the microscope

Directors again debated the Advertising and Promotion Commission, established in 1970 under ordinance H-123. One director questioned what the A&P tax has produced over decades of collections and raised the possibility
of a citizen petition to repeal the tax. The city attorney noted a 2012 repeal effort failed on a technicality after its enactment clause was left off. Director Smith defended the commission as pivotal to volunteer parks he has helped lead, citing new lights and equipment.

Directors noted a recent A&P meeting drew a large crowd and hours of public input, that funding is now available for 2026, and that applications are due June 9. The next A&P Commission meeting is June 16.
After an executive session, the board appointed Rachel Scott to the Advertising and Promotion Commission to fill the unexpired term of Allison Wright, running through 2027.