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Texarkana board approves liens on 47 overgrown lots after resident raises equity concerns
Summary
After a public hearing, the board adopted a resolution to certify liens for maintenance on 47 overgrown lots; a resident noted 35 of the properties are in Ward 2 and questioned why the city sometimes appears slower to maintain city-owned right-of-ways than private lots.
The City of Texarkana board adopted a resolution to certify liens for work performed to clear 47 overgrown lots after a public hearing.
Public Works staff said the 'weed lots' are prioritized based on citizen complaints and that the ordinance requires property owners seven days to remedy vegetation violations before the city can abate and bill them. Staff explained that issuing citations and sending cases to municipal court often prolongs the process and that many property owners are not locally present. A resident said he counted 35 of the 47 properties in Ward 2 and questioned whether the city applies the same standards to its own right-of-way and city-owned properties. Staff responded that the city does not have sufficient personnel to match all resident requests immediately.
The city attorney read the resolution, which cites Arkansas statutory authority and the Texarkana code of ordinances for certifying lien amounts and placing them on the Miller County tax rolls with a statutory penalty. The board voted by roll call; the resolution passed with unanimous affirmative votes from members present.
