TEXARKANA, Ark. — Modifying the entertainment district is on the agenda for the first meeting of the year for the city’s Board of Directors.
The Board is expected to vote Monday on an ordinance that would amend city code regarding the district. Principally, the ordinance would ban the consumption of alcohol purchased outside the entertainment district; reduce the operating hours of the district; and remove Rock Store Liquor from the district, according to meeting documents.
Patrons presently are allowed to walk around with drinks in the district between 11 a.m. and 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. and midnight Sunday. The ordinance would adjust the hours to 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Saturday.
The entertainment district lies between State Line Avenue and East Fifth, East Third, Walnut, Laurel, Front and Pine streets.
Texarkana Arkansas Police Department first proposed operating rule changes for the entertainment district at the Board’s first regular meeting in November 2025. The proposal was fine-tuned at a workshop later in the month.
“TAPD has seen an increase in violations related to underage drinking, public intoxication, disturbing peace, etc. specifically in the entertainment district,” meeting documents state regarding a reason for the changes.
The ordinance would authorize the city planner to conduct reviews of the entertainment district.
The Board also is scheduled to vote on a resolution to enter an agreement with Texarkana Regional Airport whereby Texarkana Arkansas Police Department would take over law enforcement at the airport.
At the December 2025 meeting of the airport’s Board of Directors, airport Executive Director Paul Mehrlich said having the Police Department assume airport security would save Texarkana Regional about $25,000 a year.
The airport would reimburse the city an estimated $20.12 per hour for each officer assigned to the 12-hour shift, according to the memorandum of understanding. The rate includes a base salary of $18.45, plus taxes and payroll contributions.
Additionally, the airport will pay TAPD $1,200 a month for a police vehicle. The expenditure covers the cost of an airport-dedicated police SUV the Police Department purchased when it acquired new vehicles for its fleet.
In other business, the Board will consider a resolution to appoint Ward 4 Director Ulysses Brewer as assistant mayor for 2026.
Brewer is campaigning for Miller County judge.
The regular meeting of the Board of Directors will be 6 p.m. Monday at the Municipal Building, 216 Walnut St.