TEXARKANA, Ark. - During a meeting Monday, the city Board of Directors will consider approving purchase of five new patrol vehicles and five new camera systems for the Police Department.
The Board will vote on buying five Ford Explorer hybrid vehicles at a total cost of more than $176,000, planned for in the current city budget. The Police Department expects to reduce vehicle maintenance and fuel costs with the purchase.
The Board will also take up purchase of new in-vehicle and on-body cameras to be used in patrol units and by officers interacting with the public. Total cost of the WatchGuard brand cameras is more than $43,700, also budgeted.
Another vote concerns renewing an annual contract with the Texarkana Housing Authority for police patrol services. The contract provides two Police Department officers to conduct special patrols and enforcement operations on THA-administered properties. In exchange, THA pays the city $130,000 to cover the officers' salaries and benefits.
Ward 1 Director-elect Terry Roberts, Ward 6 Director-elect Jeff Hart and re-elected Ward 2 Director Laney Harris will take their oaths of office at the beginning of the meeting. Roberts is following outgoing Director and Assistant Mayor Linda Teeters, and Hart will replace outgoing Director Terry Peavy.
After a scheduled executive session, the Board will vote to elect a new assistant mayor and to appoint members to city boards, commissions and committees.
The meeting's agenda includes a citizen communication time during which members of the public may address the Board on any topic for up to five minutes each.
The in-person meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 216 Walnut St., and will be live streamed on the city's YouTube channel.
To reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus, anyone entering the Board chamber must wear a face mask at all times.