Ark-Tex Area Council of Governments


North East Texas State Planning Region

Website: www.atcog.org

  • Executive Director
    Ms. Mary Beth Rudel
    Executive Director
    P.O. Box 5307 Texarkana, TX 75505
    (903) 832-8636
    (903) 832-3441
  • TARC Board Member
    The Honorable Bobby Howell
    County Judge, Bowie County
    710 James Bowie Dr., New Boston, TX 75570
    903-628-6718

Established: December 1968
Area: 5,923 sq. miles
Population: 288,577 (2017 est.)
Counties Served: Bowie, Cass, Delta, Franklin, Hopkins, Lamar, Morris, Red River, Titus

To check for population statistic updates by region click here

What is ATCOG?

The Ark-Tex Council of Governments (ATCOG) is a voluntary association of local governments established in 1968. We serve nine northeast Texas counties and one southwest Arkansas county. ATCOG is not a government agency. We have no authority to make laws, levy taxes, or exercise police powers.

The ATCOG is one of 24 regional councils in Texas. These councils are members of the Texas Association of Regional Councils. ATCOG serves Region 5. Region 5 is made up of the following counties, covering over 6,400 square miles: Bowie, Cass, Delta, Franklin, Hopkins, Lamar, Morris, Red River and Titus Counties in Texas and Miller County in Arkansas.

ATCOG consists of the following departments/programs: Executive, Administration, Finance, Information Technology (IT), Area Agency on Aging (AAA), Criminal Justice, Economic Development, Environmental, Housing, Transportation, and Public Safety (which operates both 9-1-1 and Homeland Security).

What do we do?

  • Conduct Planning.
  • Assist local governments in implementing plans.
  • Contract with local, state, and federal governments and other public
    and private agencies.
  • Review and comment on applications of federal and state-grants-in-aid and solid waste permits.
  • Assist local governments in solving governmental problems.

Vision & Mission

The primary goal of ATCOG is to improve the quality of life for all citizens of the region on behalf of regional governmental organizations by providing a perspective on information and problem solving and by coordinating funding, resources, programs and services. It is our desire to be of service to you and we are delighted that you have visited our site. Please feel free to contact our offices regarding any particular program in which you have an interest.


Board of Directors Meeting Date:
Normally the Board shall hold regular and/or special meetings and shall be held quarterly, unless otherwise determined by the Board. Board and Executive Committee meetings are held on the last Thursday of each month unless otherwise determined by the Board.
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