TEXARKANA — The two separate governments responsible for Texarkana are squabbling over who will lead the upgrade of a shared wastewater treatment plant.
Officials in Texarkana, Ark., say they’re ready to move forward with the South Regional plant project. But the Texarkana Gazette reports that Texarkana, Texas officials want to designate the Texas side as the “local lead agency” on contracts.
Harold Boldt, the Arkansas-side city manager, says that condition is a deal-breaker.
Steve Mayo, the Texas-side mayor, says there are “no conspiracies involved” and that the lead agency language is just a formality. But Boldt warns that the language could stop the entire project.
Bill King, director of Texarkana Water Utilities, says the dispute over “phraseology” is moot. Both cities have been fighting about water issues in a federal lawsuit.