The Amarillo City Council is scheduled to convene Tuesday for a series of meetings that will include a budget workshop, an executive session, and a regular council meeting. City leaders are expected to review financial priorities for the coming fiscal year and consider several significant proposals affecting local infrastructure, city property, and the future management of the Amarillo Zoo.
The day will begin with a budget work session at 9 a.m. in the City Council Chambers. During the workshop, council members and city staff will review current financial conditions and evaluate service levels, capital needs, and policy priorities as the city begins preparing its fiscal year 2026–2027 budget.
According to the agenda, the workshop is designed to guide future budget development rather than produce a finalized spending plan. Officials plan to discuss priorities and provide general direction to staff responsible for drafting the proposed budget in the coming months. No formal budget proposal will be presented or voted on during the workshop, and no final budget decisions will be made at that time.
Later in the day, the council is scheduled to enter an executive session beginning at 1 p.m. During the closed meeting, council members will consult with legal counsel regarding several matters, including the proposed placement of a donated monument displaying the Ten Commandments on city property at Amarillo City Hall. Legal consultation will also cover a property located in the northeast portion of Amarillo.
The council’s regular public meeting is expected to begin at 3 p.m. Residents wishing to provide public comment can sign up online, contact the City Secretary’s office by phone, or register in person at least 15 minutes before the meeting begins.
Several items listed on the consent agenda involve projects and agreements that could shape the city’s infrastructure and public facilities. Among those items is consideration of a Federal Railroad Administration Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Agreement. If approved, the grant could support the removal of a railroad crossing in the Amarillo area as part of broader efforts to improve transportation safety and traffic flow.
Another item on the consent agenda addresses the future operations of the Amarillo Zoo. The council is expected to consider awarding a 20-year lease agreement for the zoo’s operations and maintenance to the nonprofit organization Amarillo Zoo & Sanctuary.
City officials first began exploring a nonprofit model for the zoo in fall 2025, when a proposal was introduced to transition operations from the city to a nonprofit partner affiliated with the Wild West Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Supporters of the concept argued that a nonprofit structure could expand fundraising opportunities and provide greater operational flexibility while enhancing animal care and conservation programs.
Discussions between current zoo staff and representatives from the rehabilitation center have been ongoing as the proposal is reviewed. If the lease agreement moves forward, the shift could represent a major change in how the facility is managed and funded.
The consent agenda also includes consideration of issuing certificates of obligation to fund various street improvement projects across the city. Another proposal involves the potential sale of property in the 2100 block of South Fillmore Street that was previously used for public transit operations.
The proposed Ten Commandments monument is also listed among consent items. The monument has been under discussion since 2024, when council members began considering installing a display at the new Amarillo City Hall. While there has been general agreement among some council members about placing the monument, questions have been raised about potential legal considerations related to displaying religious symbols on government property.
In addition to the consent agenda, the council will review several non-consent items requiring individual discussion and votes. These include additional certificates of obligation for street projects, a proposal to rename Premiere Drive to Inspire Way, and multiple rezoning ordinances affecting property development.
The agenda also includes consideration of accepting a special appropriation from the Texas Water Development Board, along with several grant applications aimed at supporting city initiatives.
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