The Texarkana, AR Board of Directors met for the second time this year on Tuesday, January 19. During the meeting, the Board voted four to three, rejecting a 10% increase in residential water and sewer rates. The rejection resulted in the decision not to pass the new Texarkana Water Utilities Fiscal Year 2020-2021 budget proposal.
The Board voted to table the resolution to approve the budget indefinitely, due to the proposed budget including the rejected 10% increased rate.
The proposed rate budget was intended to be temporary and was reduced from an initial proposal of a 17.5% increase. The rate was to be used to fund major projects including a sewer rate replacement and other repairs.
Texarkana Water Utilities Finance Director, Jim Cornelius said the rejection of the 10% rate could possibly lead to staff layoffs and a delay of planned infrastructure projects.
