The Amarillo City Council convened on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, to discuss a broad range of issues affecting the community, from public safety and historic preservation to parks and recreation, economic development, and animal welfare. The meeting included updates on ongoing initiatives, the approval of agreements, and important votes that may shape city operations and services in the months and years ahead.
Council Members Share Their Vision for 2026
The meeting began with what the agenda described as “brief individual remarks regarding their personal vision for serving the community this year.” This item allowed each council member to provide insight into their priorities for 2026.
Councilmember Tim Reid, Place One, emphasized public safety and park maintenance. Amarillo maintains 52 parks covering approximately 2,400 acres, and Reid highlighted the need to ensure these spaces are safe and well-kept for residents and visitors. Councilmember Don Tipps, Place Two, focused on public safety and tourism, aiming to boost local tourism as a means of alleviating tax burdens for Amarillo residents.
Councilmember David Prescott, Place Three, praised current city services while highlighting the importance of modernizing infrastructure, particularly the wastewater treatment plant, and integrating technology to improve operations. Councilmember Les Simpson, Place Four, called for strategic long-term planning to secure Amarillo’s growth and development. Mayor Cole Stanley concluded the session by emphasizing service over self-interest and the value of constructive criticism in policymaking.
Reid explained that the agenda item was intended to allow council members to directly communicate their focus areas for the year, rather than serve as a platform for political statements. “They said, as long as we don’t cross these boundaries, you’re well within your range to do that. And so that’s why I wrote mine down, because I wanted to make sure I stayed within any boundaries,” Reid said.
Amarillo Police Department Leadership Confirmed
One of the most notable items on the agenda was the unanimous confirmation of Thomas Hover as the new Chief of the Amarillo Police Department. Hover’s tentative start date is January 22, 2026, though he noted that he has already begun preparing for the role, including conversations with law enforcement officials in Potter and Randall counties.
“I really appreciate this opportunity. Moving forward, I’m excited to listen and learn the Amarillo way to build the relationships with the community as well as the men and women of this organization,” Hover said. “The Amarillo Police Department is a fantastic group of officers. They’re passionate, driven, and I’m just excited to be part of the team.”
Hover emphasized a methodical approach to understanding the department, estimating it may take three to four months to gain a comprehensive perspective before developing a strategic plan with the Council’s input. He also highlighted the importance of retaining institutional knowledge during the leadership transition. “It’s extremely important to have somebody who has the history and the knowledge of the organization…help us make those decisions of, ‘Hey, let’s not do this direction, because we already tried that,’” Hover said.
Mayor Stanley expressed his full support for Hover and acknowledged the contributions of Interim Chief Jimmy Johnson, noting that Johnson’s institutional knowledge remains a critical asset to the department. Each council member also welcomed Hover and expressed appreciation for Johnson’s work. The agenda item passed unanimously.
Amarillo Pools Face Potential Closures
Another significant discussion involved the future of two city-operated pools. The council voted unanimously to close Southwest Pool, located in John Stiff Memorial Park, and temporarily close Southeast Pool until a detailed engineering study can be conducted. The decision followed recommendations from the Parks and Recreation Board and results from the city’s aquatics viability study, which identified failing infrastructure at both facilities.
Director of Parks and Recreation Michael Kashuba explained that both pools require significant upgrades. Addressing the most urgent repairs would cost approximately $2 million per pool, while full modernization could range from $10 million to $15 million for each facility. Southwest Pool has an interior void caused by water leakage and erosion, making repairs especially critical.
Councilmember David Prescott, Place Three, noted that a full engineering study of both pools would have cost around $250,000. By commissioning a focused study of Southeast Pool, the city can save money while gaining the information necessary to make an informed decision. “From an engineering standpoint, we don’t have the answers. If those engineering studies come back and they prove up that we can take care of it with relatively minor expense, then let’s take a look at it,” Prescott said.
The council and city staff also discussed evolving community expectations for recreational facilities. Both Southwest and Southeast pools are traditional rectangular designs, whereas modern facilities, like the Thompson Park Pool, include slides and interactive play areas and attract significantly more visitors. Prescott and Councilmember Tim Reid emphasized the importance of aligning future pool investments with what the community wants, taking both cost and usage into account.
Assistant City Manager Donny Hooper clarified that safety is the primary driver behind the council’s decision to close and assess the pools. “Our issue is not about closing pools. Our issue is about the safety of the patrons of the pools…whether we go and renovate the pools that are there or we put new infrastructure in and build new things, that you guys would have to evaluate,” Hooper said.
The council indicated it hopes to have a plan in place by the budget season in August, giving the community the opportunity to provide input on whether to renovate Southeast Pool or consider building a new facility.
Historic Herring Hotel Restoration Approved
The council also took action to support historic preservation and downtown revitalization by approving a developer agreement for the restoration of the Herring Hotel. The agreement between the Center City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #1 and Herring Hotel Partners, LLC, had previously been approved by the TIRZ board.
Under the agreement, the developer will receive a 100% annual reimbursement of ad valorem taxes for ten years and a one-time grant of up to $900,000 for façade and infrastructure improvements. To qualify for these incentives, Herring Hotel Partners must invest $90 million in private funding and complete the project, including paying the City $244,000 to cover accrued interest on updates made to a former transit facility located on the property.
The restoration of the Herring Hotel is seen as a key step in revitalizing Amarillo’s downtown and attracting new economic activity to the area.
Amarillo Animal Management and Welfare Updates
The council received an update from Victoria Medley, director of Amarillo Animal Management and Welfare (AAM&W), on the city’s spay and neuter program. The pilot initiative provides $200 vouchers covering spay or neuter procedures, microchipping, and vaccinations. These vouchers are redeemable at participating veterinary clinics or through students from Texas Tech University’s School of Veterinary Medicine.
The program, launched in June and July in the San Jacinto neighborhood, handed out 87 vouchers, with 52% redeemed within 60 days. The events are funded through AAM&W’s existing budget and donations, with each event costing approximately $30,000. Medley recommended continuing the program in neighborhoods with high numbers of stray animals.
The council also received updates on broader AAM&W metrics. In 2025, the organization took in 8,453 dogs and cats, totaling 8,628 animals. Microchipping and vaccination efforts resulted in 914 microchips provided and 880 rabies vaccinations administered. Medley attributed decreases in animal intake compared to previous years to spay, neuter, and microchipping initiatives. “We’ve seen an overall decrease in animal intakes, and we can, after three years, attribute that to what we’ve been doing with microchipping,” Medley said.
In 2025, AAM&W reunited 1,314 pets with their owners, adopted 2,667 animals, and transferred 843 dogs and cats to local and regional rescues. Additionally, 290 barn cats were placed for vermin management programs.
Amarillo Economic Development Corporation Updates
Interim Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) CEO Doug Nelson provided an update on local economic development projects. AEDC currently oversees three construction projects totaling $1.1 billion in investment, with completion dates ranging from October 2026 to December 2028. In 2025, AEDC assisted 26 companies under performance agreements, responded to 13 Requests for Proposals, and conducted 54 business retention and expansion visits.
Nelson highlighted Amarillo’s growing civilian labor force, which increased to 5,585, with 5,197 employed. Unemployment in the city stood at 3.3% as of September 2025, slightly higher than the 3.1% rate reported in 2023 and 2024.
Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine Agreement
The council approved an amendment to the Location Agreement between AEDC and Texas Tech University, related to the School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillo. The amendment accelerates the payment schedule, reducing the total expenditure over the next three years from approximately $15.6 million to a lump sum of $13,653,467.33. The change reflects a net present value calculation at a 7% discount, saving the city nearly $2 million.
“That discount amounts to a savings of $1.95 million, so it is literally a win-win situation for us, less taxpayer money going out, and Texas Tech can benefit from receiving that cash early and deploying it in the university,” Nelson said. The original agreement was executed in 2018, and the vet school has been accepting students since fall 2021.
Looking Ahead
Tuesday’s meeting reflected the city council’s broad range of responsibilities, from day-to-day operational decisions like pool maintenance to strategic projects involving economic development, historic preservation, and animal welfare. Councilmembers stressed the importance of public input, fiscal responsibility, and long-term planning in all decisions.
While the closure and assessment of city pools and the implementation of spay and neuter initiatives highlight immediate public service concerns, projects like the Herring Hotel restoration and the vet school agreement illustrate Amarillo’s focus on economic growth and infrastructure investment. Meanwhile, the confirmation of Thomas Hover as police chief signals a continuation of attention to public safety, emphasizing community relationships, strategic planning, and retaining institutional knowledge.
As Amarillo moves into 2026, the decisions made by the city council in this meeting will influence priorities for months to come, including safety, recreation, historic preservation, and economic development. Residents can expect further updates, public engagement opportunities, and council actions as these projects progress throughout the year.
