Craft says goodbye, Reid sworn in with Stanley, Simpson, and Tipps to the Amarillo City Council

The City of Amarillo welcomed a new chapter in its leadership Tuesday as the newly elected members of the city council were officially sworn into office during a special meeting held at 2 p.m. in the City Hall council chambers.

The meeting began with the canvassing of results from the May 3 election and included the formal scheduling of a runoff for Place 3, to be held June 7, between incumbent Councilmember Tom Scherlen and challenger David Prescott. Following the official business, attention turned to ceremony as newly elected officials took their oaths and reflected on their vision for the city’s future.

A Fond Farewell to Councilmember Josh Craft

Before the new council was seated, outgoing Place 1 Councilmember Josh Craft bid farewell to his colleagues and constituents with heartfelt remarks. His term, he said, was marked by both challenges and triumphs, and he spoke proudly of his commitment to lead with integrity and prioritize Amarillo families.

“When I first took office, I made a commitment to lead with integrity, to listen before speaking, and put Amarillo families first,” Craft said. “We may not have gotten everything perfect, but we tried every day to serve with honesty and clarity of heart.”

Craft highlighted key accomplishments during his tenure, including long-overdue infrastructure improvements, increased support for public safety, and enhanced transparency in city operations. He described his time on the council as one of the greatest honors of his life.

Mayor Cole Stanley, visibly moved, praised Craft’s steadfastness, saying, “We would keep you if we could.” Councilmembers Les Simpson and Tom Scherlen also thanked Craft for his service, calling him a trusted colleague and friend.

New and Returning Councilmembers Take Office

Mayor Stanley, Councilmembers Les Simpson (Place 4), Don Tipps (Place 2), and newly elected Tim Reid (Place 1) were each sworn into office and offered personal reflections at the start of their new terms.

Reid, stepping into Craft’s former seat, acknowledged the learning curve ahead and expressed gratitude for the support of his family and the community.

“I think you guys found out that I’m a little different person,” Reid said. “I like to do things my way, and we were successful. I just pray that I serve [Amarillo] well.”

Tipps, entering his second term, reiterated his commitment to listening to constituents and working collaboratively to pass meaningful policy.

“We’re your voice to the city,” Tipps said. “And I just make that commitment to you again—that’s who I am, and I will continue to do that.”

Simpson, also returning for another term, emphasized the importance of family and community support during public service.

“When you get into the trenches of running for office, there’s no way that you can make it through without friends and family,” Simpson said. “I look forward to getting to work.”

Mayor Stanley Reflects on Leadership and Challenges Ahead

In his remarks, Mayor Stanley underscored the complexity of city governance, especially at the council level, where the “simple problems” have already been handled by staff, and only the most difficult issues reach the dais.

“Councilman Reid, you’re going to find out real quick...by the time [issues] got up here to you, it was complex, and at times complicated and convoluted,” Stanley said. “Your role is to help rightly decipher truth and to set things in the light.”

Stanley reaffirmed his commitment to transparency and accountability, stating that his role is not to govern in secrecy but to do business in public view.

“My role is to turn the lights on,” he said. “It’s not to pretend that we know better than the people we serve.”

Looking Ahead

As the city prepares for the Place 3 runoff election in June, the newly seated council members expressed optimism and readiness to tackle the next two years of governance. With issues such as infrastructure, public safety, and community engagement still top of mind, the council pledged to serve with transparency, unity, and an unwavering focus on the needs of Amarillo’s citizens.

With a new member on board, a pending runoff, and seasoned leadership at the helm, Amarillo’s city council begins its next chapter poised to continue shaping the city’s future—together.