Boards and Commissions

Board of Adjustment

Makes decisions on appeals, special exceptions, and requests for variances to City ordinances.

Airport Authority

Acts as an advisory board to the Airport Manager, and the City Council, and is expressly directed and empowered to make a complete study of all phases of the airport operations and make recommendations from time to time for the most efficient operation of the Texarkana Airport.

Ark-Tex Council of Governments

Serves as an inter-governmental agency.

Building and Standards Commission

Has the power to declare a building substandard and can order the repair of such structures or in the alternative, can order removal of such substandard structures.

Building Code Revision Committee

Adopt building and safety codes that allow for occupation of older buildings without undue financial burdens and without risk to the safety and well-being of the citizens of the City; study and recommend changes in the codes as they relate to the older buildings; hold meetings, conduct public hearings and receive comments from all interested persons, to recommend amendments to the City's various building and safety codes in order to enhance occupation of older structure; to divide into sub-committees to perform the functions of the committee, and to make necessary recommendations and reports to the City Council.

CDBG Citizens Advisory Committee

To assist the Department of Community Development in assessment of needs that can be addressed through the use of CDBG funds received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and provide recommendations to the City Staff for the use of CDBG funds in conjunction with the preparation of the City's annual Action plan which must be submitted to HUD before funds can be received and expended.

Civil Service Commission

Established to ensure compliance with the Texas Firemen's and Policemen's Civil Service Act, Texas Local Goverment Code Chapter 143.

Electrical Examining Board

Review latest addition of electrical codes for possible revisions. Grade City electrical exams.

Health Facilities Development Corporation

A non-profit organization, issue obligations to finance or refinance all or part of the cost of one or more health facilities of the public health, pursuant to the provisions of the Health Facilities Development Act.

Historic Landmark Preservation Commission

Adopt criteria for the designation of historic, architectural, and cultural landmarks and the delineation of historic districts, which shall be ratified by the City council; recommend conferral of recognition upon the owners of landmarks or properties within districts by means of plaques; increase public awareness of the value of historic, cultural and architectural preservation; make recommendations to the City Council.

Hospital Authority

Exercise powers granted by the Hospital Authority Act.

Housing Authority

Manage low rent public housing units in the City. Provide and professionally manage an adequate supply of safe, affordable housing of reasonable quality for persons of low income, while administering programs that offer residents to advance in society.

Housing Finance Corporation

The Corporation is organized exclusively for the purpose of benefiting and accomplishing public purposes, and on behalf of the City by financing the cost of residential ownership development that will provide decent, safe and sanitary housing for residents of the City at prices they can afford.

Industrial Development Corporation

Act on behalf of the City Council to further the public purposes of the promotion and development of commercial, industrial and manufacturing enterprises, to promote and encourage employment of the public welfare and to issue bonds on behalf of the City in accordance with the provisions of the Texas Development Corporation Act .

Inter-Governmental Advisory Committee (Criminal Justice Center)

Shall employ, direct, and supervise a Project Coordinator, serve as a liaison for and between their respective appointing governmental bodies, review draft intergovernmental and other agreements pertaining to the Criminal Justice Center Project, review draft applications for project funds and assistance to federal, state and other entities, review draft budgets and take similar legal or binding actions, shall be retained by each of the parties signatory to the agreement establishing the committee.

Library Commission

Oversees the operation of the Texarkana Public Library. Responsible for establishing policies and employing a Library Director to administer those policies in the management of the Texarkana Public Library.

Northeast Texas Mental Health Mental Retardation Board of Trustees

Authorized to contract services from any existing agencies and such other duties as stated in the Texas Civil Statutes.

Permit and License Appeal Board

If the Chief of Police denies the issuance of a license for a sexually oriented business or revokes such license, the applicant or licensee can appeal to the board.

Planning and Zoning Commission

Hears, recommends and determines matters related to zoning, platting or subdivision control as specified or required under City ordinance, charter or state law.

Plumbing Appeals and Advisory Board

Any person, firm or corporation aggrieved by an interpretation of Plumbing Code or by any decision or ruling by the Plumbing Inspector, shall have the right to make an appeal in writing to the Plumbing Appeals and Advisory Board.

Public Responsibility Committee (MHMR)

Functions as third party mechanism which serves to protect, preserve, promote and advocate the health, safety, welfare and legal human rights of clients served by the Northeast Texas Mental Health Mental Retardation Center.

Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Boards

The TIRZ Boards make recommendations to the City Council concerning the administration of the TIRZ Zones; prepare and adopt a project plans; prepare a reinvestment zone financing plans; and prepare, implement, monitor, and submit all plans and an annual report to the City Council for approval.