Board slated to discuss funding for firetrucks, police radios

Fees from utility companies to cover $2.6 million in bonds

The Texarkana, Ark., Board of Directors on Tuesday will consider approving the details of $2.6 million in bonds that will fund new public safety equipment.

In November 2017, the board approved issuing the bonds, to be guaranteed by and paid for with franchise fees the city charges utility companies. The funds will pay for two ladder trucks and a pumper truck for city firefighters, as well as portable and mobile radios for police.

During a regular meeting Tuesday, the board will vote on an ordinance setting the bonds’ aggregate principal amount, maturity and interest rate schedules, and redemption features. An emergency clause is attached to the ordinance to make it effective immediately.

Also on the meeting’s agenda is a budget adjustment to account for more than $84,000 in grants awarded by the state to support the city’s solid waste recycling and electronic waste disposal efforts.

The grants will provide more than $26,980 for an e-waste laborer’s salary, $5,000 for e-waste education and public awareness materials, more than $16,260 for a vertical baler, and $35,995 for a Ford F-250 pickup.

The agenda includes a citizen communication time during which members of the public may address the board on any subject for up to five minutes each.

The meeting was rescheduled from its normal third Monday because of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. It is slated for 6 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 216 Walnut St.