Arkansas side to discuss buying undercover vehicles

The Arkansas-side Board of Directors will consider acquiring undercover police vehicles at its regular meeting Tuesday.

Texarkana, Ark., Police Department is asking for the board’s OK to use federal grant funds to lease three nondescript vehicles to be used in undercover Bi-State Narcotics Task Force surveillance and narcotics investigations.

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.

McLarty Ford submitted a winning bid to lease the city the vehicles for three years,

for a total monthly payment of $1,693.09.

The board will also consider several amendments to the city’s personnel policy, including:

increasing from 60 to 480 the number of accumulated, unused sick-leave hours for which a retiring employee could receive cash payment;

adding four professional certifications—in basic and advanced animal control, animal cruelty investigation and storm water management— to those for which employees can earn an extra $20 per month;

adding a social media use policy that, among other directives, cautions employees about reckless online posting and says the city’s computer systems are to be used for business purposes only; and

allowing 55 hours of funeral leave per year for police officers who work 11-hour shifts. Current policy specifies 40 hours of funeral leave per year for employees who work eight-hour shifts and 72 for those who work 24-hour shifts.

The 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 meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 216 Walnut St. It was rescheduled from Monday to accommodate the Presidents’ Day holiday.