Texarkana voters to decide on $25 million bond for streets, drainage

TEXARKANA, Ark. (KTAL/KMSS) –The City of Texarkana, Arkansas, wants voters to understand what is at stake with a street and drainage bond election. The bond will be the only item on the ballot, and all three questions must be approved for the bond to pass.

“The city will receive approximately $25 million to invest in streets and drainage improvements, $21 million for streets, and $4 million for drainage,” said Mayor Allen Brown at a press conference on Thursday as the city works to make its case by keeping residents informed.

The drainage improvements would be done on Nix Creek and Jones Creek. At least 58 streets are named in a priority list compiled based on a street study to ensure objectivity.

“Roads were assigned a priority score that was 56% payment condition, 22% street classification or road volume, and 22% cost benefit,” said Mayor Brown.

Homeowners would see their property taxes increase by $50 for every $100,000 of appraised property value.

“This is a very modest increase, but the citizens need to understand that for the future of the city, this is the way to go,” said Mayor Brown, “This is the only way that we can infuse, in my opinion, the capital dollars that we need to repair some of our streets.”

That’s because the city’s revenue has been decreasing by 0.95% annually since 2021, and the public works department currently lacks the funds to even maintain the current infrastructure.

“These annual maintenance costs are what are really driving our street condition down in my opinion, because we don’t have enough funds to maintain them. So this will drive our annual street maintenance costs down by repairing these 50+ streets,” said Mayor Brown.

They will be holding town hall meetings in each ward.

• Ward 1 – October 21, Lifehouse Church, 1102 Maywood Drive, 5:30 p.m.
• Ward 3 – October 23, Location and time TBD
• Ward 4 – October 28, Location and time TBD
• Ward 6 – October 30, Sugar Hill United Methodist Church, 1621 Sugar Hill Road, 6:00 p.m.
• Ward 2 – November 4, Location and time TBD
• Ward 5 – November 6, Central Baptist Church, 2117 E. 35th Street, 5:30 p.m.

“The city is committed to being fully transparent, and we will answer any and all questions in these town hall meetings. I urge everyone to attend your respective ward’s meeting.”

Early voting is November 12-14 and 17, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the American Legion building at 525 E. Broad Street. Election day is November 18.