Texarkana board approves purchase of seven police SUVs, certifies liens on 53 overgrown lots and adopts two zoning changes

The Texarkana, Ark., Board of Directors on Oct. 20 voted to authorize three separate measures affecting public safety, property code enforcement and land use.

The board approved a resolution allowing the city manager to enter a purchase agreement with McCarty Ford for seven 2026 Ford Explorer police interceptor SUVs at a total contract price of $307,816.25, or about $43,974 per vehicle. A presenter for the police department told the board the purchase would be funded from department salary savings and argued replacing higher‑mileage units would reduce maintenance costs and avoid expensive out‑of‑warranty hybrid battery replacements, which the presenter estimated at roughly $7,500 each.

The resolution was read aloud to the board and, after a motion and second, passed by roll call with all directors present answering in the affirmative.

The board also adopted a resolution to certify liens for costs the city incurred removing overgrowth, trash and debris on 53 parcels. City staff told the board the amounts per parcel reflect city abatement expenses plus the 10% penalty provided under state law; the resolution cites Arkansas Code Annotated sections 14‑54‑904 and 14‑56‑201 and directs staff to certify the lien amounts to the Miller County tax collector as delinquent taxes.

Separately on land‑use matters, the board adopted an amendment to Ordinance K286 to rezone properties at 1602 and 1612 North Oak from M‑1 (manufacturing) to R‑3 (low‑density residential). Planning staff said the parcels sit amid residential development, that the property owners (identified in the meeting as the Hawkins family) intend to build a house within the next six to 12 months, and that the planning commission reported no opposition. The ordinance was read through first, second and third readings and adopted by roll call.

The board also adopted Ordinance K670 to fix a discrepancy in the code governing distances between accessory structures and principal buildings, changing a conflicting 15‑foot reference to 10 feet to match longstanding enforcement practice. Planning staff explained the change is editorial and aims to make two paragraphs of the ordinance consistent; directors asked about attached versus freestanding carports and staff said freestanding carports remain subject to the 10‑foot separation and other setback rules.

Public comment at the meeting included a resident who asked the city to address a neglected lot and damaged fence at 1716 Pearl Street, citing overgrown grass and rodent problems. The city manager reported the city is awaiting an RDOT engineer study for a bridge at Seawell and Washington and said a previously approved grant had lapsed before funds were received.

The board also announced a series of neighborhood town halls and a workshop on a proposed Liquor‑by‑the‑Glass ordinance; the meeting adjourned after the announcements.

Votes at a glance • Resolution authorizing purchase agreement with McCarty Ford for seven police SUV interceptors (total $307,816.25): approved by roll call (unanimous among directors answering). • Resolution certifying liens for 53 overgrown parcels (per Arkansas Code cited): approved by roll call. • Ordinance K286 (rezoning 1602 & 1612 North Oak from M‑1 to R‑3): adopted on third reading by roll call. • Ordinance K670 (accessory‑structure distance cleanup, set to 10 feet): adopted on third reading by roll call.

Next steps The vehicle purchase agreement will be executed by the city manager per the adopted resolution; lien amounts will be certified to the Miller County tax collector for placement on the tax rolls; and the two ordinances will take effect according to the city’s normal ordinance timeline (no emergency clauses were requested at adoption).