The Texarkana, Ark., Board of Directors approved a lease-to-own deal for undercover police vehicles during its meeting Tuesday.
The board agreed to use federal grant funds to acquire the vehicles for use in investigations by the Bi-State Narcotics Task Force.
McLarty Ford submitted a winning bid to provide the vehicles for a total monthly payment of almost $1,700 for three years. The money has already been awarded to the city through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program administered by the federal Bureau of Justice Assistance.
Ward 2 Director Laney Harris expressed concern that the funding request contained information that might identify the vehicles. Police Chief Robert Harrison assured him that was not a problem.
The board heard a second reading of an ordinance amending city personnel policy. Changes include tweaking sick leave and funeral leave rules, adding professional certifications for which employees can earn pay bonuses of $20 a month, and establishing a social media use policy. The board is expected to vote on the ordinance at its next meeting.
Harris asked what would happen if an employee were found to be in violation of the social media policy. Finance Director TyRhonda Henderson said the chain of command, beginning with department heads and ending with the city manager, would handle the issue the same as any other disciplinary matter.
Parks and Recreation Director Ross Cowling told the board that the city's 2017 Sparks in the Park celebration won third place in the festival of the year category at Arkansas Festivals and Events Association's annual awards. Ward 1 Director Linda Teeters encouraged Cowling to enter more such contests in the future.
The board's next meeting is scheduled for March 5.
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