Boards, Commissions, AND COMMITTEES

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The vision of the City of Texarkana, Texas, is to be a thriving regional center for education, business, and culture which attracts and serves our residents and visitors. Our mission is to provide customer focused public services and regional leadership that serves our residents and visitors while offering a safe, vibrant, and welcoming community.

To accomplish our vision and mission, it takes a network of selfless volunteers, who advise and support the city on its boards, commissions, and committees. The City of Texarkana has a number of City Council-appointed boards, commissions, and committees, and at times, the City Council may appoint ad-hoc committees for special purposes. Service on a city board, commission, or committee is the perfect way to focus on community needs, serve fellow citizens, and stay informed about key issues.

Generally, boards, commissions, and committees have residency requirements or otherwise, have special requirements. Board, Commission, and Committee members are required to attend regularly scheduled meetings. All members are expected to complete the Open Government training videos provided online by the Texas Attorney General.

Applications for service are traditionally announced in the Spring and appointments are normally made in the summer. For more information, please contact the City Secretary's Office - (903) 798.3930. Below is a description of each board, commission, or committee, a list of current member appointments, and volunteer applications. ***

Airport Authority


The Airport Authority is composed of nine members and acts as a joint body with four representatives from the City of Texarkana, Texas, four representatives from the City of Texarkana, Arkansas, and one member at-large with experience in managing or directing municipal, regional, economic or industrial development. The Authority acts as advisory board to the Airport Manager and the City Council. The Authority studies all phases of airport operations and makes recommendations for the most efficient operation of the airport. The Authority may propose bylaws and rules governing its functions in the operation of the airport.

Board of Adjustment


The Board of Adjustment makes decisions related to appeals, special exceptions, and requests for variances to the Zoning Ordinance. The Board hears appeals that allege error in an order, requirement, decision, or determination made by an administrative official regarding a zoning requirement. The board can also consider and permit the reconstruction of a non-conforming use.

Building & Standards Commission


The Building & Standards Commission has the power to declare a building substandard and can order the repair of such structures to meet code specifications. Also, in the alternative, the Commission can order the removal of substandard structures. The Commission is tasked with hearing and acting on appeals of fire and building codes. The Commission also reviews code revisions to the International Building Codes.

Civil Service Commission


The Civil Service Commission was established to ensure compliance with the Texas Fire Fighters' and Police Officers' Civil Service Act, found in Texas Local Government Code Chapter 143. The powers and duties of the Commission shall be those granted by the state under civil service law. If civil service law so provides, the Commission shall have the power to promulgate rules and regulations for the proper conduct of its business, provided that no rules or regulations shall be made which are contrary to the provision of civil service law.

Community Healthcore


Community Healthcore provides mental, emotional, and behavioral health services to North East Texas residents. The board serves as the mental health and intellectual disability governing authority for Bowie, Cass, Gregg, Harrison, Marion, Panola, Red River, Rusk, and Upshur counties.

Historic Landmark Preservation Committee


The Historic Landmark Preservation Committee reviews applications for Certificate of Appropriateness in an open public hearing process and, through a majority vote, either approves or denies the application, reviews proposals for certain sites, districts, areas, buildings, or structures to be designated as historical districts, sites, or areas and recommends approval or denial to the Planning and Zoning Commission and to the City Council; and is also involved with serving on at least one of three sub-committees, guidelines and standards review, community involvement and marketing, or expansion, preservation and revitalization. The committee recommends conferral of recognition upon the owners of landmarks or properties within districts by means of plaques; increases public awareness of the value of historic, cultural, and architectural preservation. The Committee is authorized to promulgate a mission statement and internal rules, regulations, and bylaws not inconsistent with the city charter, city ordinances, and applicable state and federal laws.

Housing Authority


The Housing Authority of the City of Texarkana, Texas (HATT) provides innovative affordable housing options to citizens in need in Texarkana, Texas, by utilizing cutting edge real estate business practices, creative financing, and like-minded partnerships as they move strategically towards the future. Additionally, HATT's five (5) subsidiaries are vital to implementing new proven best practices to create additional affordable housing in the Texarkana communities that are in need of revitalization.

Industrial Development Corporation


The Industrial Development Corporation board of directors, with the required approval of the City Council, finds and determines private financing of projects, narrowly defined to "the land, buildings, equipment, facilities, and improvements" to be required or suitable for the promotion of commercial or industrial development and expansion, the promotion of employment, or for use by commercial, manufacturing, or industrial enterprises in accordance with the provisions of the Texas Development Corporation Act of 1979.

Keep Texarkana Beautiful

KTB is organized for the purpose of promoting the beautification of the Texarkana community and other activities in support of these purposes. It educates citizens on recycling efforts and encourages eco-friendly activities that stimulate economic growth for overall city beautification.

Library Commission

The Library Commission functions to administer, operate, control, and supervise the public library in Texarkana for the benefit of the community.

Permit and License Appeal Board

The Permit and License Appeal Board has been established to review appeals resulting from the Police Chief's denial of the issuance of a license for a sexually oriented business or the revoking of such license.

Planning & Zoning Commission


The Planning & Zoning Commission hears, recommends, and determines matters related to zoning to include requests for: specific use permits, site plan approval and platting or subdivision control as specified or required under city ordinance, charter or state law. The Commission reviews matters related to the city's comprehensive plan for the purpose of promoting health, safety, culture, historical significance, and general welfare of the city. The Commission also considers amendments to the Zoning Ordinance.

Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Advisory Board (TIRZ)


The TIRZ board makes recommendations to the City Council concerning the administration of the TIRZ zones, prepares and adopts project plans, considers additions or changes to the project list, prepares reinvestment zone financing plans, arranges, implements, monitors, and submits all plans. The board also provides an annual report to the City Council for approval.

University Planned Development District (UPDD)

The UPDD reviews and approves site plans for properties proposed for development within the UPDD boundary.

Youth Advisory Council

The Youth Advisory Council advises the City Council and staff on matters relating to their generation. The Youth Advisory Council will study, investigate, plan, implement, and consult with the city regarding those topics of interest among themselves and their peers. Specifically, the Youth Advisory Council is assigned with identifying areas for improvement related to youth, including developing programs and services that: 1) empower, support, and inform youth, 2) create a family-friendly community, and 3) enable and encourage youth to engage mindful residents of their community. Through participation, Youth Advisory Council members learn about municipal government, budgeting, marketing, networking, leadership, event planning, and program evaluation.

Current List of Board, Commission, and Committee Members

Online Application OR Printable Application

Application Process

Citizens interested in serving on a board, commission, or committee can obtain an application from the City Secretary's Office at City Hall or from the city's website. Applications are accepted at any time throughout the year; however, applications must be submitted by April 30th for current year consideration. Completed applications and supporting documentation can be sent to the City Secretary's Office via:

  • Mail - City Hall, 220 Texas Blvd, Texarkana, TX 75501 - ATTN: Jennifer Evans
  • Online: Click Here
  • Email - txkbcc@txkusa.org
  • Fax - (903) 798.3448

Appointment and Notice Process


The Mayor or City Council makes appointments to Texarkana's boards, commissions, or committees. The Council considers applications during its regular city council meetings. The City Secretary will notify the appointee in writing of the appointment.

Texas Open Government Trainings

The Texas Attorney General has made training videos available for the Texas Open Meetings and Public Information Acts. You will need this training as a City appointee (and if a reappointee, you will need to refresh your training as laws are amended). Please complete the online trainings at this website address: www.texasattorneygeneral.gov and return a copy of each certificate of completion to the City Secretary.