On Tuesday, May 13, Amarillo’s newly elected city officials will officially begin their new terms as they are sworn in and immediately get to work during the first Amarillo City Council meeting following the May 3 municipal elections.
Swearing-In Ceremony: A Moment of Civic Renewal
The swearing-in will take place at 2 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber. While largely ceremonial, this marks an important moment of civic continuity and leadership transition. The following officials will be taking their oaths:
Mayor Cole Stanley, beginning his second term as mayor and third term overall on the city council
Tim Reid, newly elected to Councilmember Place 1
Don Tipps, returning for his second term representing Councilmember Place 2
Les Simpson, also returning for a second term in Councilmember Place 4
Meanwhile, Place 3 remains undecided, and the council will announce the official order for a run-off election between incumbent Tom Scherlen and challenger David Prescott, to be held June 7.
Council Meeting to Follow at 3 p.m.
The first official council meeting will follow immediately after at 3 p.m., also in the Council Chamber. Citizens interested in speaking during the public comment portion can sign up online, by calling 806-378-3014, or in person at least 15 minutes before the meeting begins.
This won’t be a symbolic or slow start to the new term — council members are set to tackle a robust agenda, filled with both practical and long-term community planning items.
Key Topics on the Agenda
Here are the major issues scheduled for discussion and consideration:
Affordable Housing and Habitat for Humanity
A proposed contract with Habitat for Humanity would support the construction of new affordable homes in Amarillo using federal funds from the HOME Investment Partnership Program. This project aims to ease housing challenges for lower-income families and strengthen residential stability across the city.
Municipal Utility Districts and Drainage Projects
Council will review and discuss infrastructure issues including utility districts, playa lake level monitoring, and drainage bond projects. These technical topics relate directly to quality-of-life issues such as water reliability, flood control, and stormwater management.
Animal Welfare Initiatives
Also on the agenda is a review of the Amarillo Animal Management and Welfare Spay and Neuter Voucher Pilot Program. This initiative is designed to control the pet population and reduce the number of stray animals in the city, while promoting responsible pet ownership.
Consent and Non-Consent Agenda Items
Consent Items
These typically include routine or non-controversial matters grouped together for one vote. Items include:
Rezoning ordinances
Ground lease approvals
City department equipment purchases
Contracts for infrastructure improvements, such as sewer upgrades and partnerships with Habitat for Humanity
Non-Consent Items
These require individual discussion and are often more complex or potentially contentious. For this meeting, several non-consent items involve proposed rezoning ordinances to shift land use designations from agricultural to commercial. These decisions can significantly influence development patterns, traffic, and neighborhood dynamics.
Why It Matters
This meeting represents the beginning of a new term for Amarillo’s leadership. With a mix of fresh perspectives and experienced voices on the council, there is an opportunity to make meaningful progress on core community issues like housing, infrastructure, and public services.
For residents, this is an ideal time to engage with local government. Whether through attending meetings, offering public comments, or simply staying informed, civic participation ensures that decisions made at City Hall reflect the needs and priorities of the people who live here.
Event Details:
Swearing-In Ceremony: Tuesday, May 13 at 2:00 p.m.
City Council Meeting: Tuesday, May 13 at 3:00 p.m.
Location: Council Chamber, Amarillo City Hall
Public Comment Sign-Up: Online, by phone (806-378-3014), or in person at least 15 minutes before the meeting
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