The Amarillo City Council will meet Tuesday, Aug. 25, with drought conditions, the proposed 2026-2027 budget and tax rate, airport improvements and several development projects among the major items on a lengthy agenda.
The council will convene at 1 p.m. at City Hall before immediately recessing into executive session. The public portion of the meeting is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
Drought response returns to council
One of the first major discussion items will be an update on Stage 1 of Amarillo's Drought Contingency Plan.
The discussion comes as the city has taken additional steps to reduce nonessential water use amid continued pressure on its water supply. Council members are expected to receive an update on the city's current drought response and conservation efforts.
The council will also discuss the proposed 2026-2027 city budget and proposed tax rate, although the agenda does not call for a final vote on either item during the discussion portion of Tuesday's meeting.
Airport projects total millions
Some of the largest spending items on Tuesday's agenda involve Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport.
Council members will consider awarding a nearly $4 million contract to ControlTouch Systems LLC for upgrades to the airport's baggage handling system to meet Transportation Security Administration requirements.
The proposed $3.99 million project includes a base bid of about $2.18 million along with several additions, including a new automated threat recognition system, conveyor modifications, high-speed diverters, vertical sortation units, new baggage inspection tables and other equipment.
The project would primarily be funded through federal grant money, with airport operating revenues providing the local match.
Council members will also consider a $619,800 contract with Cactus Abatement and Demolition LLC to demolish the former English Field Terminal building and remove asbestos from the structure.
Another airport-related item would provide Albers Aerospace with a $300,000 incentive grant toward replacement of the electrical system in Building 602. According to the agenda, the improvements would allow Albers to relocate an entire division of its business to the airport and are expected to result in approximately 50 new jobs.
Albers would be responsible for the remaining $490,000 cost of the electrical project.
The Albers grant is listed as not currently budgeted.
Big Texan RV park up for final approval
The council could give final approval to a zoning change allowing an RV park near Sunrise Drive and Southeast 14th Avenue.
Ordinance No. 8254 would rezone approximately 9.23 acres from light commercial and residential zoning to Planned Development District 411 for the RV park.
The applicants are Furman Land Surveyors Inc. on behalf of Big Texan Land Holding LLC and Galaxy Catering Inc.
The ordinance is scheduled for its second and final reading as part of the consent agenda.
Large central Amarillo rezoning also on agenda
Council members will also consider final approval of a significant zoning change covering multiple blocks near Southwest 15th Avenue and South Harrison Street.
The proposal would create Planned Development District 410 for what the agenda describes as "campus style development" using Central Business District development standards.
Those standards would allow increased lot coverage and building height along with reduced setbacks, parking requirements and minimum lot sizes.
The applicants include First Baptist Church, Baptist Community Services and Central Church of Christ.
Two additional zoning cases are also scheduled for final consideration. One would rezone 13.38 acres near Town Square Boulevard and Battery Street from agricultural to Residential District 3. Another would rezone property near Southwest 77th Avenue and Coulter Street from residential and office zoning to General Retail District.
AISD police could receive city dispatch services
The city is also considering an agreement to provide limited dispatch services for the Amarillo Independent School District Police Department.
Under the proposed interlocal agreement, the Amarillo Emergency Communications Center would provide dispatch services to AISD police.
The agreement would initially run for one year and automatically renew for additional one-year terms unless either side cancels it.
AISD would pay the city $60,000 under the agreement. The revenue is listed as not currently budgeted.
Police equipment and public safety purchases
The Amarillo Police Department could receive 45 new ballistic vest packages under another item on the consent agenda.
The city is considering a $76,068 purchase from GT Distributors using general fund revenues.
Council members will also consider buying a Ford F-350 van equipped with an aerial lift for the Police Department at a cost of $125,475.
The grant-funded vehicle would be used to maintain and repair public safety equipment installed on traffic signal poles and other elevated locations. City documents state that police currently must coordinate with other departments to gain access to specialized vehicles for that work, potentially delaying repairs.
Animal shelter kennel renovation
The council could also award a $655,830 construction contract to Plains Builders Inc. for renovations at the city's Animal Management and Welfare facility.
The project would replace kennel fronts, tops, sliding doors and other components in approximately half of the facility. It also includes concrete repairs and related work needed for the new kennel system.
The project would be paid for with general fund revenues.
Wastewater and drainage projects
Several water, wastewater and drainage projects are also scheduled for consideration.
One of the largest is a $393,812 amendment to the city's engineering agreement with Halff Associates for the Playa 7 Pump Station and Force Main project.
The original engineering contract was approximately $2.43 million. If the amendment is approved, the revised agreement would total approximately $2.82 million.
According to the agenda, the pump station and part of the force main were relocated to improve access and constructibility, moving the force main away from the Greenways area and closer to Soncy Road.
Council members will also consider ratifying a $69,596 emergency repair of a pump at the Hollywood Road Wastewater Treatment Facility. The pump supplies reclaimed water to Xcel Energy's cooling operations.
Separate River Road Wastewater Treatment Facility items include $162,400 for a new vertical turbine pump, $117,716.80 for two replacement blowers and $99,538 for new flow meters and valves.
Nearly $200,000 in furniture for Street Day Center
Another item would authorize the purchase of $193,056.46 in furniture for the Street Day Center.
The furniture is intended to support the relocation of the Community Development Department from the Simms Building to its new permanent location.
The purchase would initially come from general fund revenues. According to the agenda, the city expects the cost to be reimbursed by CKP after the furniture is installed.
Council to consider $96,000 consulting agreement
The council will also consider a one-year consulting agreement with Kevin Johnson, co-founder of Express Pros Training.
The stated purpose of the engagement is to strengthen the "governing and executive capacities" of the city.
The contract would cost $96,000 plus reasonable travel expenses and would be funded from general fund revenues.
The agenda lists whether the expenditure is budgeted as "Yes/No."
Other items on the agenda
Additional consent agenda items include the purchase of seven John Deere Gators for approximately $210,099, acceptance of street right-of-way and sewer easements related to development near Soncy Road and Bent Tree Drive, and approval of Hotel Occupancy Tax expenditures by the Amarillo Convention and Visitors Bureau for the upcoming fiscal year.
The council will also consider an Xcel Energy easement on airport property and the assignment of an airport land lease that would generate approximately $17,282.50 annually for the city.
On the non-consent agenda, council members will consider an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for Highway Safety Improvement Program projects.
They will also consider transferring money between Police Department capital projects to help cover a planned chiller replacement and moving $100,000 from the airport's operating budget into two new capital projects for "Round Room Modifications" and "Regulatory Program Technology Upgrades."
Closed-door discussions begin at 1 p.m.
Before the public meeting, council members are scheduled to meet behind closed doors to discuss two unidentified economic development prospects known as Project City-2504 and Project City-2506, both categorized under Technology & Information Services.
Project City-2504 will also be discussed in connection with potential real estate matters.
Council members are additionally scheduled to consult with the city attorney and discuss city-owned property in Amarillo's Central Business District. The agenda does not identify the property or disclose what action, if any, could eventually be considered.
The council's executive session begins at 1 p.m., with the open meeting scheduled for 3 p.m. at City Hall, 623 S. Johnson St.
