After watching the budget workshops this week (another article will be posted on that topic), I thought it would be interesting to break down the role of the Amarillo City Council in plain, common-sense terms—what it’s supposed to be doing, why it matters, and how citizens can make sure their voices are heard.
City government might not always grab the headlines like national politics, but for the people of Amarillo, the decisions made at City Hall can affect their daily lives far more directly than anything happening in Austin or Washington, D.C.
At its core, the job of the Amarillo City Council is simple in concept, though complex in execution: to work for the best interest of the citizens / taxpayers of Amarillo. That may sound obvious, but in practice, it requires diligence, transparency, financial responsibility, and a deep respect for the people who put them in office.
1. Who the Amarillo City Council Represents
The Amarillo City Council doesn’t represent abstract numbers on a spreadsheet or political parties. It represents people—the roughly 200,000 individuals who call Amarillo home. That includes families who have lived here for generations, small business owners investing in the community, young professionals just starting their careers, retirees living on fixed incomes, and everyone in between.
When council members take the oath of office, they commit to serve all citizens—not just their friends, political allies, or certain districts. This is important because the council’s decisions impact everyone:
Property taxes affect both homeowners and renters (since higher taxes can be passed on through rent).
Public safety decisions influence the response times for police, fire, and emergency services across the city.
Infrastructure investments determine whether our streets are smooth or full of potholes, whether our water system is reliable, and whether we have the parks and amenities to attract new families and businesses.
A responsible City Council understands that every decision must pass a basic test: Does this serve the best interest of Amarillo’s citizens / taxpayers as a whole?
2. The Core Responsibilities of the Amarillo City Council
The Amarillo City Council is essentially the city’s board of directors. They set policies, approve budgets, and make strategic decisions that shape the community’s future. Here are their main duties in everyday language:
a) Budget and Financial Oversight
The council controls the city’s budget. That means deciding how to spend tax dollars on services like police, fire, roads, parks, and libraries. It also means making sure money isn’t wasted.
A budget isn’t just a list of expenses—it’s a statement of priorities. If the council spends recklessly, taxpayers pay the price. If they budget wisely, residents get better services without unnecessary tax increases.
b) Setting Policy and Passing Ordinances
The council approves local laws, known as ordinances. These can cover zoning (what can be built where), safety rules, noise limits, animal control, and many other areas. These policies shape the character of the city and ensure order, fairness, and safety.
c) Hiring and Evaluating the City Manager
Amarillo operates under a “council-manager” form of government. The City Council doesn’t run day-to-day operations—that’s the city manager’s job. But the council hires the city manager, sets expectations, and evaluates performance. If the city isn’t being run efficiently or ethically, the council is responsible for taking action.
d) Long-Term Planning
Good governance isn’t just about fixing today’s problems—it’s about preparing for tomorrow. The council helps develop the city’s long-term plans for growth, infrastructure, and economic development. This includes deciding how to attract new jobs, improve transportation, and keep Amarillo competitive with other Texas cities.
e) Listening to Citizens
Perhaps the most overlooked responsibility is also the most important: listening. The council must keep a pulse on the community, holding public meetings, engaging with residents, and being responsive to concerns.
3. The “Best Interest” Test
Working in the best interest of the citizens and taxpayers means making decisions based on facts, fairness, and fiscal responsibility—not personal agendas or political gain. A good council member should be able to answer “yes” to these questions before casting a vote:
Does this decision benefit the majority of Amarillo residents, not just a select few?
Is it fiscally responsible and respectful of taxpayer dollars?
Has the council sought out public input and considered multiple perspectives?
Will this improve the city in both the short and long term?
Does it align with legal and ethical standards?
When council members fail this test—by approving questionable spending, ignoring citizen feedback, or making backroom deals—the trust between government and the public erodes.
4. Transparency and Accountability
For the Amarillo City Council to truly work in the best interest of citizens, transparency is non-negotiable. Residents have the right to know how decisions are made and where their tax dollars are going. This includes:
Holding open meetings and posting agendas well in advance.
Making meeting minutes and recordings easily accessible online.
Providing clear explanations for major decisions, especially when they involve large sums of money or controversial projects.
Encouraging—not discouraging—public participation.
Accountability means council members are answerable for their decisions. If a choice turns out poorly, they must own it, explain it, and, if necessary, change course.
5. Balancing Wants and Needs
Every city faces a balancing act between what people want and what people need. Amarillo is no exception. Citizens may want more recreational facilities, beautification projects, or entertainment venues. They need reliable water service, safe streets, efficient trash collection, and strong public safety.
A City Council that works in the best interest of its people knows how to prioritize needs while still planning for quality-of-life improvements. That might mean fixing crumbling roads before funding a costly new attraction—or ensuring police and fire departments are fully staffed before spending millions on beautification.
The goal is not to say “no” to everything fun or ambitious, but to ensure the city’s foundation is strong before building extra features.
6. Fiscal Responsibility
Taxpayer dollars are not the council’s money—they’re the people’s money. That’s why fiscal responsibility is at the heart of serving citizens’ best interests. This includes:
Avoiding unnecessary debt.
Keeping tax rates reasonable while maintaining essential services.
Carefully vetting large projects to ensure they provide a good return on investment.
Seeking efficiencies in city operations to stretch each tax dollar further.
A City Council that spends without regard for the burden on taxpayers isn’t working in their best interest—no matter how well-intentioned the projects might be.
7. Respect for All Neighborhoods
Amarillo is a diverse city, with neighborhoods that vary widely in income, housing style, and history. The council must ensure that all areas receive fair attention. That means not pouring all resources into one part of town while others struggle with neglected roads, drainage issues, or lack of amenities.
The “best interest” approach sees Amarillo as a whole—north, south, east, and west—because the city’s success depends on the health of all its parts.
8. Economic Development with Common Sense
Economic growth is essential to Amarillo’s future, but it must be pursued wisely. The City Council has a role in attracting new businesses, supporting local entrepreneurs, and creating a climate where jobs can thrive. However, that doesn’t mean throwing tax incentives at every company that shows interest or approving projects without considering long-term costs.
Working in the best interest of citizens means ensuring that economic development deals:
Create lasting, good-paying jobs.
Provide measurable benefits to the community.
Do not saddle taxpayers with debt for projects that may not succeed.
9. Public Safety as a Priority
No matter how attractive a city’s parks or downtown areas are, people won’t feel comfortable living or investing there if they don’t feel safe. The council must ensure that Amarillo’s police, fire, and emergency medical services are well-funded, well-equipped, and well-trained.
This isn’t just about spending money—it’s about making sure resources are used efficiently and strategically to keep neighborhoods secure and responsive in emergencies.
10. The Citizen’s Role
While it’s the City Council’s job to serve the best interest of the people, it’s the people’s job to stay informed and engaged. Amarillo residents can help ensure accountability by:
Attending or watching council meetings.
Reading agendas before decisions are made.
Contacting council members directly with concerns or feedback.
Voting in local elections—often the lowest-turnout but most impactful elections we have.
A silent public gives free rein to bad governance. An engaged public helps keep the council on track.
11. Why “Best Interest” Must Always Be the Guiding Principle
Local government decisions often involve trade-offs, competing priorities, and complex details. But the guiding principle should always be the same: What will best serve the people of Amarillo, now and in the future?
That means avoiding flashy but short-sighted projects in favor of investments that make Amarillo stronger and more resilient. It means protecting taxpayer dollars as if they were your own. It means making decisions that might not always be popular in the moment but will pay off in the long run.
When the City Council consistently applies this standard, the city thrives. When they forget it, problems multiply, trust erodes, and the community suffers.
Final Thoughts
The Amarillo City Council’s job is not to be popular, to push pet projects, or to cater to special interests. Their job—plain and simple—is to work in the best interest of Amarillo’s citizens / taxpayers. That means governing with transparency, fiscal responsibility, fairness, and a willingness to listen.
