The Amarillo City Council is set for a packed day Tuesday, Sept. 8, with the proposed city budget and tax rate taking center stage alongside discussions about public-safety cameras, a possible tiny home village and millions of dollars in contracts, grants and other spending.

Council members will begin the day at 11 a.m. with a budget workshop focused on the city's proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 budget.

The workshop gives council members and senior city staff an opportunity to work through broad areas of the spending plan, including public safety, infrastructure, development, community services, parks and recreation, water resources, public works and city finances.

Council members may reach a general consensus on portions of the budget during the workshop, but no final votes will be taken.

Proposed tax rate on the agenda

The budget conversation will continue during the council's regular meeting.

The council is scheduled to discuss the proposed 2026-2027 budget and tax rate before later considering the proposed property tax rate for maintenance and operations and debt service.

The agenda does not list the proposed tax rate or provide enough information to determine how it compares with the current rate.

Several other budget-related decisions are scheduled Tuesday, including consideration of proposed fiscal year budgets for the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation, Amarillo Hospital District and the city's Center City and East Gateway tax increment reinvestment zones.

Council members will also hold public hearings on proposed budgets, service plans and property assessments for 10 public improvement districts across Amarillo.

Those include the Greenways, Heritage Hills, Pinnacle, Point West, Quail Creek, Town Square, Tutbury, Vineyards, Colonies and Homestead PIDs.

Citywide camera policy could be coming

Public safety cameras will also be part of Tuesday's discussion.

Amarillo Police Chief Thomas Hover is scheduled to brief the council on the city's current use of cameras for public safety and security, along with existing policies governing their use.

According to the agenda, the discussion could eventually lead to a citywide camera policy being brought to the council for consideration.

The agenda does not specify what changes might be included in such a policy or what types of cameras would be affected.

The council is also being asked to approve an interlocal agreement with Amarillo Independent School District allowing commissioned Amarillo Police Department officers to provide security on district campuses. The stated purposes include protecting students and staff, deterring crime and protecting school property.

Police traffic-enforcement grants

Two Texas Department of Transportation grants could provide additional money for APD traffic enforcement.

The larger Selective Traffic Enforcement Program grant carries a total award of $203,887.06, including $173,065 in grant funding and a $30,822.06 local match.

The money would help pay overtime for additional patrols targeting speeding, seat belt and child safety seat violations, distracted driving and driving while intoxicated.

A separate commercial motor vehicle enforcement grant totals $71,515.36, including $59,995 in grant funding and an $11,520.36 match.

The council will also consider resolutions connected to grant applications for the Amarillo Police Department Regional Bomb Squad Enhancement Project, Amarillo Regional Crime Center Enhancement Project and a CERT team project.

Tiny home village and manufactured home development

Two development proposals could also draw attention Tuesday.

The council will hold a public hearing and consider the first reading of an ordinance that would rezone 5.712 acres near Coulter Street and Southwest 77th Avenue.

The property is currently zoned Office District 2. The requested Planned Development District designation would allow the site to be developed as a tiny home village.

Another public hearing involves approximately 4.56 acres near Southwest 47th Avenue and Washington Street.

That proposal would change the property from Light Industrial zoning to a Planned Development district for a manufactured home park subdivision with reduced minimum lot widths and lot areas.

Both proposals are only scheduled for first readings Tuesday.

Street assessment, wastewater repair and PID projects

Several sizable contracts appear on the council's consent agenda.

The council will consider a $548,693 contract with Green Plains Design for improvements in the Heritage Hills Public Improvement District. The project includes fencing, masonry columns, sidewalks, irrigation and landscaping. The work would be funded through Heritage Hills PID property owner assessments rather than citywide tax dollars.

A $145,982 contract with Roadway Asset Services would pay for an assessment of Amarillo's arterial and collector streets and pavement-management services. The results are expected to help the city decide which streets and treatments to include in its 2028 annual street maintenance project.

Council members are also being asked to ratify a $140,355.25 emergency contract for repairs to a pump at the River Road Wastewater Treatment Facility. According to the agenda, the pump provides reclaimed water to Xcel Energy for power plant cooling.

At Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport, the council will consider moving $100,000 from the airport's operating budget into two new capital projects covering Round Room modifications and regulatory program technology upgrades.

The council will also consider accepting a $54,734.50 refugee medical screening grant to provide health screenings and immunizations to refugees in the Amarillo area. The grant requires no local match.

Executive session starts the afternoon

Following the morning budget workshop, the council is scheduled to reconvene at 1 p.m. and immediately enter executive session.

Behind closed doors, council members are scheduled to discuss the potential purchase of property in the southwest quadrant of Amarillo.

They will also discuss confidential commercial or financial information and possible incentives involving a business prospect identified on the agenda only as "Project #25-05-02."

The council is scheduled to return to open session at 3 p.m. at Amarillo City Hall, 623 S. Johnson St.