[OPENING ITEMS] [00:00:03] DIDN'T EVEN SEE THE BEGINNING OF IT. GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TODAY. I WANT TO WELCOME YOU TO CITY COUNCIL, AND WE ARE GOING TO BEGIN BY STANDING FOR OUR INVOCATION. I WANT TO WELCOME FATHER ANTHONY GOVINDU FROM SAINT STEPHEN'S CATHOLIC CHURCH. THANK. IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT. AMEN. ALMIGHTY AND GRACIOUS GOD, YOUR WORD TELLS US, SEEK THE WELFARE OF THE CITY AND PRAY TO THE LORD ON ITS BEHALF. FOR IN ITS WELFARE YOU WILL FIND YOUR WELFARE. WITH GRATEFUL HEARTS WE ASK YOUR BLESSINGS UPON THE CITY OF MIDLAND AND UPON EVERYONE GATHERED FOR THIS CITY COUNCIL MEETING. BLESS OUR MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, CITY MANAGER, COMMISSIONERS, CITY STAFF, AND ALL WHO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY. GRANT THEM WISDOM TO UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF OUR PEOPLE. INTEGRITY IN EVERY DECISION. PATIENCE IN TIMES OF DISAGREEMENT AND COURAGE TO PURSUE WHAT IS RIGHT AND JUST. MAY THE DISCUSSIONS HELD HERE BE RESPECTFUL, THE DECISIONS THOUGHTFUL AND THE ACTIONS TAKEN. ALWAYS DIRECT, DIRECTED TOWARD THE COMMON GOOD. HELP OUR LEADERS USE THE RESOURCES ENTRUSTED TO THEM RESPONSIBLY. AND REMEMBER, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHOSE VOICES ARE EASILY OVERLOOKED. BLESS EVERY CITIZEN OF MIDLAND. OUR FAMILIES, CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE, SENIORS, SENIOR CITIZENS, NEWCOMERS, AND LONGTIME RESIDENTS. MAY OUR CITY BE A PLACE OF SAFETY, OPPORTUNITY, UNITY, COMPASSION AND HOPE. PROTECT AND STRENGTHEN OUR POLICE OFFICERS, FIREFIGHTERS, EMERGENCY RESPONDERS, HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS, EDUCATORS, UTILITY WORKERS, SANITATION WORKERS, OILFIELD WORKERS, AND ALL ESSENTIAL WORKERS WHO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY EACH DAY. BLESS OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES, INDUSTRIES, SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS, AND NEIGHBORHOODS. BRING PROSPERITY TO OUR CITY. PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT FOR THOSE SEEKING WORK, HOUSING FOR THOSE IN NEED, COMFORT FOR STRUGGLING FAMILIES, AND CARE FOR THE POOR AND VULNERABLE. SEND THE RAIN OUR LAND NEEDS. PROTECT US FROM SEVERE WEATHER AND EVERY DISASTER, AND TEACH US TO BE RESPONSIBLE STEWARDS OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES. WE ALSO PRAY FOR OUR NATION AND FOR PEACE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. COMFORT THOSE SUFFERING BECAUSE OF WAR, VIOLENCE, HUNGER, DISPLACEMENT, AND INJUSTICE. GUIDE THE LEADERS OF NATIONS TO A DIALOG, RECONCILIATION AND LASTING PEACE. BLESS THIS MEETING AND ALL THE WORK UNDERTAKEN HERE TODAY. MAY EVERY DECISION HELP MIDLAND GROW NOT ONLY PROSPERITY BUT ALSO IN JUSTICE, KINDNESS, UNITY AND CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER. WE ENTRUST OUR CITY, ITS LEADERS, ITS CITIZENS, AND ITS FUTURE TO YOUR LOVING PROVIDENCE. AMEN. AMEN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SIR. BLESS THE OF THE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD WITH OF ALL LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. HONOR THE TEST OF. INNOCENCE TO THE TEXAS ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YOU CAN BE SEATED. AND I APOLOGIZE IN ADVANCE. MY VOICE [CONSENT AGENDA] IS WEAK AND WEIRD TODAY, SO WE'LL JUST DO OUR BEST. WE ARE GOING TO GET STARTED WITH OUR CONSENT AGENDA, AND I WILL START OVER HERE WITH YOU. COUNCILWOMAN BURKS, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO PULL? NUMBER 17. NUMBER 17. OKAY, COUNCILWOMAN POOLE. LET ME MAKE SURE. SORRY. I HAVE THEM ON MY MY OLD AGENDA. IT'S NUMBER NINE, TEN, AND 11. AND HONESTLY, WE CAN JUST PULL NINE, BUT IT'S TO REFERENCE NINE, TEN AND 11. SO JUST PULL NINE. YEAH, JUST PULL NINE. OKAY. COUNCILMAN STUBBS, I THINK I'M GOOD. OKAY. COUNCILMAN LAD, I'M NUMBER SEVEN AND I'M NUMBER. SORRY. I'M NUMBER SIX. OKAY. COUNCILMAN NORMAN. NO FOR ME. MAYOR. OKAY, THEN I'M ALSO GOING TO ADD ITEMS. FOUR, 13, 14 AND 16 FOR PEOPLE TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. SO FOR 13, 14. AND 16 FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. SO THEN THAT GIVES US IN ORDER, AS [00:05:05] I HAVE IT, ITEM FOUR, SIX, SEVEN, NINE, 13, 14, 16, AND 17. MAKE SURE I HAVE THOSE NOTED. I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE REST OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN POOLE TO APPROVE AND A SECOND FROM COUNCILWOMAN BURKS. IF THERE IS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH [4. 2026-115 - RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF A MOBILE COMMAND SUBSTATION FROM SEWELL FAMILY OF COMPANIES, INC. THROUGH BUYBOARD FOR A TOTAL COST OF $119,695.75; AND AUTHORIZING PAYMENT (DISTRICT: NONE) (GENERAL SERVICES) (PROVIDE SOUND GOVERNANCE & FISCAL MANAGEMENT)] ITEM NUMBER FOUR, A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF A MOBILE COMMAND SUBSTATION FROM SEWELL FAMILY OF COMPANIES INCORPORATED THROUGH BY BOARD, FOR A TOTAL COST OF $119,695.75 AND AUTHORIZING PAYMENT. DOES IT? THIS WAS PULLED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PUBLIC COMMENT. DOES ANYONE ON COUNCIL NEED STAFF REVIEW OR. OKAY, THEN I'D LIKE TO CALL DEREK SMITH TO COME FORWARD TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEM FOUR. GOOD MORNING COUNCIL. THE ONLY REASON I'M AGAINST THIS IS WE'VE HAD A MOBILE SUBSTATION IN THE PAST, AND IT WAS NOT USED VERY FREQUENTLY. I WOULD RATHER SEE THAT SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY GO TOWARDS YEARLY RETENTION BONUSES FOR OUR OFFICERS WHO MAYBE ARE GETTING READY TO RETIRE. I MEAN, THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY WOULD BE $6,000 FOR A YEARLY RETENTION BONUS. SOMEBODY OVER 20 OFFICERS, IT WOULD BE $3,000 A YEAR RETENTION BONUS, OVER 60 OFFICERS. AND I JUST THINK THAT THERE'S A BETTER USE OF THAT MONEY. WE DON'T HAVE THAT MANY EVENTS THAT GO ON IN OUR COMMUNITY, LIKE, SAY, THE OTHER SUBSTATION WE HAD, IT WAS A VERY LONG WINNEBAGO LOOKING THING, AND I SAW IT MAYBE ONCE A YEAR AT CHRISTMAS TIME OUT AT MIDLAND PARK MALL. AND I JUST THINK THAT THIS IS A WASTE OF MONEY. I MEAN, I'D LIKE YOU ALL TO SIT THERE AND REALLY LOOK AT HOW OFTEN THE MOBILE SUBSTATION THAT WE HAD PREVIOUSLY WAS USED, AND THEN REALLOCATE THAT MONEY TOWARDS LIKE, SAY, RETENTION BONUSES FOR GUYS WHO ARE EXPERIENCED, WHO KNOW OUR TOWN SO THAT WE CAN RETAIN QUALIFIED TALENT INSTEAD OF JUST SPENDING IT ON SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO SIT IN A POLICE GARAGE AND JUST BE PULLED OUT TO GO TO THE SCHOOLS, TO SHOW OFF TO KIDS EVERY NOW AND THEN, OR OUT TO THE MALL JUST TO SHOW THE RESIDENTS, HEY, WE GOT THIS COOL THING. BUT IT JUST, IT NEVER GOT USED FROM WHAT I SAW. AND SO THAT'S THE ONLY REASON THAT I'M AGAINST IT IS, LIKE I SAY, I'D RATHER SEE THAT EXPENSE GO TOWARDS RETAINING QUALIFIED PEOPLE SO THAT WE DON'T LOSE ANYBODY TO SOME COMPETING DEPARTMENT AND JUST LOOK AT WAYS TO KEEP OUR QUALIFIED PEOPLE HERE SO THAT THEY CAN PASS ON THAT KNOWLEDGE TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING THROUGH THE ACADEMY. AND THAT'S ALL I GOT. OKAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS, I APPRECIATE IT. DO WE HAVE ANY STAFF THAT WANTS TO GIVE US A LITTLE BIT OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE UTILITY OF THIS? YEAH, I THINK CHIEF SNOW AND CHIEF TELLER ARE HERE, AND SO IS CHUCK BLUMENAUER THAT THEY CAN SPEAK TO IT. I KNOW THAT DURING THE TRAGIC EVENT THAT HAPPENED IN JUNE, I KNOW THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT THEY HAD REQUESTED IN THE BUDGET PROCESS, AND THAT'S WHEN IT'S UTILIZED IN THOSE KINDS OF EVENTS. AND ALTHOUGH THOSE ARE INFREQUENT, WHEN THEY DO HAPPEN, THEY DO NEED THIS AS A TOOL IN ORDER TO COMBAT THE COMMUNICATIONS THAT THEY HAVE TO DO WITH ALL THE DIFFERENT PEOPLE OUT ON THE FIELD. BUT I'LL LET GREG SPEAK TO IT. YES, AND I UNDERSTAND MR. SMITH'S CONCERNS. HOWEVER, JUNE 12TH WAS IS JUST AN EYE OPENER AS FAR AS WHAT WE DO NEED. THE OLD COMMAND STAFF, WHICH WAS A BIG WINNEBAGO LOOKING THING, WAS JUST SO OLD AND DECREPIT IT WASN'T EVEN REALLY WORTH SAVING. THAT'S WHY WE HAVEN'T BEEN USING IT. SO MOBILE COMMAND POST WILL ALLOW US A CENTRAL LOCATION TO HAVE OFFICERS AND SUPERVISORS COME AND ATTACK A PROBLEM MEET. WE ALSO PLAN TO USE THAT MORE GOING FORWARD AT OTHER EVENTS, NOT JUST TO SHOW OFF TO THE KIDS, ALTHOUGH THAT WILL BE A PURPOSE OF IT AS WELL. BUT LARGE EVENTS YOU'D LIKE TO SHANTA, THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS UNIT WILL USE THAT THROUGH VARIOUS EVENTS LIKE AT HEB, LIKE THE THANKSGIVING AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS. AND AGAIN, THAT PROVIDES AN AREA FOR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO COME IN, GET OUT OF THE WEATHER FOR A MOMENT IF IT'S, IF IT'S TOO COLD. WE'VE ALSO MADE THIS NEW ONE A LITTLE BIT SMALLER, SO IT WON'T BE QUITE AS LARGE AND BULKY AS THE OLD ONE. THE MAYOR. I WOULD ADD THAT IN THE LAST 3 TO 4 YEARS, ACTUALLY THE LAST THREE YEARS, THREE YEARS AGO, WHICH IS TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO, WE PUT A INCREASE IN PAY FOR POLICE IN PLACE. AND THEN WE ALSO EITHER IN LAST YEAR'S BUDGET, THE BUDGET BEFORE WE INCREASED THE STARTING PAY FROM THE 60,000 RANGE TO ABOUT 81,000 FOR STARTING POLICE OFFICERS. SO THAT IS AN [00:10:01] IMPORTANT ITEM AND A PRIORITY FOR THE CITY COUNCIL AND SOMETHING THAT WE DID PUT IN PLACE. THERE'S ALSO SOME THINGS WE'VE DONE FOR FIRE AS WELL THAT WE CAN TALK ABOUT IF COUNCIL HAS ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT. BUT SINCE THIS IS SPECIFICALLY TO THIS, I'LL JUST LEAVE IT. I'LL JUST LEAVE IT THERE. OKAY. THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS? ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. HAVING NO FURTHER REQUESTS TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM, I WILL LOOK FOR ACTION FROM COUNCIL ON ITEM FOUR. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN NORMAN AND A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN STUBBS. IF THERE IS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE'LL MOVE FORWARD TO [6. 2026-117 - RESOLUTION AWARDING A CONTRACT FOR THE UTILITY EXTENSION PROGRAM 07 TO EDGARDO MADRID & ASSOCIATES, LLC OF MIDLAND, TEXAS, AT A TOTAL COST NOT TO EXCEED $2,000,000.00; AND AUTHORIZING PAYMENT (DISTRICT: ALL) (GENERAL SERVICES) (STRENGTHEN AND SUSTAIN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE)] ITEM NUMBER SIX, A RESOLUTION AWARDING A CONTRACT FOR THE UTILITY EXTENSION PROGRAM OH SEVEN TO EDUARDO MADRID AND ASSOCIATES, LLC OF MIDLAND, TEXAS, AT A TOTAL COST NOT TO EXCEED $2 MILLION AND AUTHORIZING PAYMENT. COUNCILMAN LAD, I BELIEVE YOU PULLED THIS. YEAH, I JUST WANTED TO GIVE THE THE PUBLIC A BRIEF OVERVIEW, KIND OF WHAT Y'ALL DO WITH THIS MONEY. SO THERE'S A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHY WE NEED IT AND WHERE IT GOES TO. CERTAINLY. JOSH FERGUSON, ASSISTANT CITY ENGINEER FOR THE CITY OF MIDLAND. THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT WE'VE HAD FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. AND PRIMARILY WHAT WE USE THIS FOR ARE SMALLER SCALE UTILITY PROJECTS, SOME OF WHICH ARE KNOWN MAINTENANCE ISSUES THAT WE JUST DON'T HAVE LARGER PROJECTS NEARBY TO TIE IT TO, BUT WE STILL NEED TO ADDRESS. BUT IT ALSO GIVES US A LOT OF FLEXIBILITY WITH DEALING WITH EMERGENCY SITUATIONS WHERE IF WE HAVE, SAY, A WATER MAIN THAT GOES OUT NEAR A SCHOOL OR A HOSPITAL AND WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO GO THROUGH A SIX MONTH DESIGN PROCESS, BUT WE NEED SOMETHING OUT THERE, YOU KNOW, WITHIN A WEEK OR TWO. THIS GIVES US THE FLEXIBILITY TO JUMP ON THAT MUCH FASTER. IT'S AN ANNUAL PROGRAM WITH OPTIONS TO RENEW SO THAT IF THE PROGRAM IS WORKING FOR US AFTER THE FIRST YEAR, WE CAN LOOK AT EXTENDING IT. AND IF IT'S NOT WORKING OUT, IF WE NEED TO CHANGE THINGS, IT GIVES US THAT OPTION AS WELL. SO WE'RE NOT LOCKED INTO ANYTHING LONG TERM UNLESS WE WANT TO BE. AND WE'VE BEEN USING THIS PROGRAM OR A VARIATION OF IT FOR OVER A DECADE NOW VERY SUCCESSFULLY. THANK YOU. EXCELLENT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN LAD, A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN NORMAN. IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES [7. 2026-118 - RESOLUTION AWARDING A CONTRACT FOR THE WAYFINDING SIGNS – PHASE 1 PROJECT TO THE SOLE BIDDER, SSC SIGNS & LIGHTING, LLC OF LEWISVILLE, TEXAS, AT A TOTAL COST OF $713,805.34; APPROVING $5,000.00 FOR CONTINGENCIES; AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE SUM OF $238,000.00 FROM VISIT MIDLAND AND THE SUM OF $62,805.00 FROM THE DOWNTOWN MIDLAND MANAGEMENT DISTRICT FOR SAID PROJECT; AND AUTHORIZING PAYMENT (DISTRICT: 2) (GENERAL SERVICES) (STRENGTHEN AND SUSTAIN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE)] UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU. WE'LL MOVE FORWARD TO ITEM NUMBER SEVEN, A RESOLUTION AWARDING A CONTRACT FOR THE WAYFINDING SIGNS PHASE ONE PROJECT TO THE SOLE BIDDER, CSC SIGNS AND LIGHTING, LLC OF LEWISVILLE, TEXAS, AT A TOTAL COST OF $713,805.34, APPROVING $5,000 FOR CONTINGENCIES. AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF A SUM OF 238,000 FROM VISIT MIDLAND IN THE SUM OF $62,805 FROM THE DOWNTOWN MIDLAND MANAGEMENT DISTRICT FOR SAID PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING PAYMENT. I JUST KIND OF WANTED TO BREAK DOWN WHERE THE SIGNS WOULD BE GOING AND HOW MUCH MONEY THE MIDLAND WAS GOING TO BE GIVING TO US, AMONG OTHERS. ABSOLUTELY. SO GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. TAYLOR NOVAK, THE CHIEF OF STAFF. SO I DO HAVE A BRIEF PRESENTATION. I'LL JUST GO TO SOME OF THOSE SLIDES THAT YOU YOU PARTICULARLY BROUGHT UP. SO AS FAR AS THE SIGNAGE GOES, THERE'S 49 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS THAT THESE SIGNS WILL BE PLACED IN. AND THESE ARE NOT STANDARD TRAFFIC SIGNS. THESE ARE VERY INTRICATE DESIGNED WAYFINDING SIGNAGE. SO YOU CAN SEE A PHOTO OF THOSE RIGHT THERE. AND THEN THESE ARE THE DISTRICT LOCATIONS WHERE THOSE SIGNS WILL BE LOCATED. SO PRIMARILY THEY ARE ON THE I-20 CORRIDOR AND THEN IN CENTRAL MIDLAND, INCLUDING DOWNTOWN AND OUR HISTORIC DISTRICT AS WELL. SO POINTING PEOPLE TO MUSEUMS, ATTRACTIONS, DOWNTOWN PARKING ESPECIALLY SO THAT WE'RE GETTING THOSE VISITORS TO WHERE THEY NEED TO GO AND OUR RESIDENTS AS WELL. AS FAR AS THE FUNDING BREAKDOWN GOES, WE'VE GOT OVER 300 000 COMMITTED FROM PARTNER FUNDERS, SO 238,000 OF THAT WILL BE FROM VISIT MIDLAND. AND ABOUT 62, ALMOST 63,000 WILL BE FROM THE DMD WHICH IS THE DOWNTOWN MIDLAND MANAGEMENT DISTRICT. AND THEN THE REMAINING COST WILL COME OUT OF HOTEL MOTEL IF APPROVED. AND SO THIS IS NOT TOUCHING THE GENERAL FUND. THIS IS NOT TOUCHING PROPERTY TAX. THIS IS SPECIFICALLY FROM HOTEL MOTEL. AND IT'S ONE OF THE MOST COMMON USES OF HOTEL MOTEL THROUGHOUT THE STATE AS WELL. HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY OTHER QUESTIONS. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE RECEIVED, A LOT OF FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY AND FROM DIFFERENT PARTNERS IS THAT WE DON'T HAVE GOOD SIGNAGE ON OUR PARKING AVAILABILITY, PARTICULARLY DOWNTOWN. I THINK THIS IS PROBABLY LONG OVERDUE FOR THOSE PARTICULAR LOCATIONS AND ESPECIALLY. AND SO I THINK THIS WILL BE HELPFUL TO IDENTIFY WHERE THE PARKING IS. WE OFTEN GET FRUSTRATED FOLKS THAT SAY WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PARKING DOWNTOWN AND WE DON'T HAVE IN CERTAIN AREAS, BUT WE DO HAVE SOME LARGE GARAGES THAT ARE UNDERUTILIZED. SO HOPEFULLY THIS WILL HELP WITH THAT AS WELL. ABSOLUTELY. AND WE'VE DONE SOME WEBSITE UPDATES AS WELL. AND SO WE HAVE VERY DETAILED INFORMATION ON DOWNTOWN PARKING. AND JUST RECENTLY I HAVE TO PUT THIS PLUG IN TO WE LAUNCHED THE NEW AIRPORT WEBSITE LATE LAST WEEK. [00:15:01] SO IT NOW HAS LIVE AVAILABILITY OF PARKING AT THE AIRPORT AS WELL. SO IT'S JUST ALL OF THESE IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE COMING TOGETHER TO HELP THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE OVERALL. WELL, I WANT TO COMMEND STAFF ON WORKING SO HARD TO GET SUBSTANTIVE FUNDING FROM VISIT MIDLAND DEEMED. THAT MAKES IT A LOT MORE EQUITABLE IN OUR MINDS. ABSOLUTELY. FOR YOUR HELP ON THAT. YEAH. THOSE GROUPS FOR THEIR HELP. YES. YEAH. WE WOULD LIKE TO REALLY THANK THE CHAMBER AND THE DMD FOR DOING THAT AND STEPPING UP AND COVERING THEIR COSTS. SO AWESOME. THANK YOU SO MUCH. ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS FOR STAFF? ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU TAYLOR. THEN I WILL LOOK FOR ACTION FROM COUNCILMAN LADD. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN NORMAN ON ITEM NUMBER SEVEN. IF THERE IS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE. [9. 073-2026 - MOTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND THE CITY ATTORNEY TO EXECUTE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION GRANT NO. 78 IN ORDER TO RECEIVE GRANT FUNDS FOR THE MIDLAND INTERNATIONAL AIR & SPACE PORT MASTER PLAN AND MIDLAND AIRPARK MASTER PLAN (DISTRICT: 4) (AIRPORTS) (PROVIDE SOUND GOVERNANCE & FISCAL MANAGEMENT)] THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE'LL MOVE FORWARD TO ITEM NUMBER NINE, A MOTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND THE CITY ATTORNEY TO EXECUTE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION GRANT NUMBER 78, IN ORDER TO RECEIVE GRANT FUNDS FOR THE MIDLAND INTERNATIONAL AIR AND SPACE PORT MASTER PLAN AND MIDLAND AIR PARK MASTER PLAN. COUNCILMAN PAUL, I JUST PULLED THESE JUST TO CONGRATULATE YOU, JUSTINE, FOR JUST BEING ABLE TO ALWAYS SECURE FUNDING SO THAT WE'RE NOT ON THE HOOK FOR ALL OF IT, SPECIFICALLY THE RUNWAY PROJECT HERE. IF THERE'S ANY OF THESE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT, YOU'RE WELCOME TO, BUT I MAINLY JUST WANTED TO CALL YOU UP AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK, FOR ALWAYS DILIGENTLY GOING AFTER GRANT FUNDING FROM, FROM THE STATE TO, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO OUT AT THE AIRPORT. THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE IT. THESE GRANTS TOTAL ABOUT 12.6 MILLION. AND OF THAT 12.6 MILLION, ONLY 10% WILL BE AIRPORT FUNDED. THE REST COMES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. IT'S A 9010 GRANT, ALL THREE OF THEM. SO THAT'S GREAT WAY TO TO MAKE OUR MONEY GO A LOT FURTHER IN THE COMMUNITY. WE WE'RE GOING TO MASTER PLAN BOTH MIDLAND INTERNATIONAL AND MIDLAND AIR PARK, WHICH WILL GIVE US PLANS FOR WAY INTO THE FUTURE. THE RUNWAY PROJECT THAT YOU APPROVED LAST YEAR, THE AWARD TO JONES BROTHERS. THAT PROJECT IS GOING TO BE GREAT FOR THE AIRFIELD. AND THEN THE THIRD ONE IS THE INSTALLATION OF VEHICLE MOVEMENT AREA TRANSMITTERS. THEY'RE CALLED VMATS, AND THAT'S A SPECIAL GRANT THAT THE FAA JUST PUT OUT BECAUSE OF THE CRASH THAT HAPPENED IN LAGUARDIA WHERE THE FIRE TRUCKS WERE HIT. THIS WILL ALLOW US TO PUT EQUIPMENT ON ALL OF OUR VEHICLES TO DRIVE ON THE RUNWAYS, SO THAT THE TOWER CAN ALWAYS KNOW WHERE WE ARE TO AVOID THAT KIND OF SITUATION. SO IT'S A GOOD THING FOR ALL OF US. CAN YOU RESTATE THE NUMBER OF THE TOTAL OF THOSE THREE ITEMS AND GRANTS THAT WE'RE RECEIVING? IT WAS ABOUT 12.6 MILLION 12.6. OKAY, EXCELLENT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR WORK. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILWOMAN POOLE ON ITEM NUMBER NINE AND A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN NORMAN. IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU. WE WILL GO FORWARD TO ITEM NUMBER 13, A [13. 2026-120 - RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE DATES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS TO BE HELD DURING THE CALENDAR YEAR 2027 (DISTRICT: ALL) (CITY SECRETARY) (TRANSPARENT & CONSISTENT COMMUNICATION)] RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE DATES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS TO BE HELD DURING THE CALENDAR YEAR OF 2027. DOES ANYONE ON COUNCIL HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY ON THIS ONE? FIRST, I PULLED IT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PUBLIC COMMENT AND WOULD LIKE TO INVITE LANCE WINKLER TO COME AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT AT THIS TIME. GOOD MORNING, GOOD MORNING. I CHOSE THIS TOPIC MAINLY BECAUSE THE PLANNING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AS WELL IS PRETTY MUCH. I MEAN, YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT. I MEAN, ANY PERSON NOT ON THE COUNCIL, YOU HAVE TO TAKE A PTO DAY. YOU HAVE TO TAKE A DAY OFF. YOU HAVE TO TAKE WHATEVER HOLIDAY YOU WANT TO. THEY EVEN COME TO THESE THINGS. MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE HAVE THESE MEETINGS AT 5:00, RIGHT AT THE END OF THE WORK DAY, INSTEAD OF TAKING MY PTO TIME AND HAVING ME BURN PTO, WHY DON'T WE BURN YOUR 5:00? THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. ALL RIGHT. ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS? WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN STUBBS. WE HAVE A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN NORMAN. IF THERE IS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU. ITEM NUMBER 14 IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE [14. 2026-121 - RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A VOLUNTARY PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH SCP HWY 191 LAND, LLC (“DEVELOPER”) REGARDING DEVELOPER’S VOLUNTARY CONSTRUCTION AND DEDICATION OF CERTAIN PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS FOR DEVELOPER’S PROPOSED MULTIPLE-FAMILY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ON A TRACT OF LAND THAT IS GENERALLY LOCATED AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE INTERSECTION OF DEAUVILLE BOULEVARD AND ARLINGTON ROAD; SAID PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS TO INCLUDE A PORTION OF DEAUVILLE BOULEVARD WEST OF ARLINGTON ROAD ALONG THE NORTH SIDE OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AND ROUNDABOUT IMPROVEMENTS AT THE INTERSECTION OF DEAUVILLE BOULEVARD AND ARLINGTON ROAD; ORDERING THE CITY SECRETARY TO RECORD THE VOLUNTARY PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR A DEPUTY CITY MANAGER (THE “CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE”) TO ACQUIRE, ON BEHALF OF THE CITY, ANY REAL PROPERTY INTERESTS NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF ANY PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS THAT WILL BE LOCATED ON LAND THAT IS NOT PRESENTLY OWNED BY THE CITY OR DEVELOPER AND THAT THE CITY DOES NOT OTHERWISE HAVE THE RIGHT TO USE FOR PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE TO PURCHASE APPRAISALS AND TITLE INSURANCE POLICIES, NEGOTIATE, EXECUTE, AND FILE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO ACQUIRE SAID REAL PROPERTY INTERESTS, AND HOLD THE CLOSINGS FOR SAID ACQUISITIONS; AUTHORIZING PAYMENTS FOR SAID APPRAISALS, TITLE INSURANCE POLICIES, AND CLOSING COSTS; AUTHORIZING PAYMENTS FOR SAID REAL PROPERTY INTERESTS IN AMOUNTS THAT DO NOT EXCEED THEIR FAIR MARKET VALUES; AND ORDERING THE CITY SECRETARY TO RECORD, OR ENSURE THAT THE TITLE COMPANY RECORDS, ALL INSTRUMENTS OF CONVEYANCE (DISTRICT: 4) (DEVELOPMENT SERVICES) (STRENGTHEN AND SUSTAIN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE)] EXECUTION OF A VOLUNTARY PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH SCP HIGHWAY 191 LAND, LLC. AS THE DEVELOPER REGARDING DEVELOPERS VOLUNTARY CONSTRUCTION AND DEDICATION OF CERTAIN PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS FOR DEVELOPER'S PROPOSED MULTIFAMILY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ON THE TRACT OF LAND THAT IS GENERALLY LOCATED AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE INTERSECTION OF DEAUVILLE BOULEVARD. DO I HAVE TO READ ALL THIS? AND ARLINGTON ROAD SAID PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS TO INCLUDE A PORTION OF DEAUVILLE BOULEVARD, WEST OF ARLINGTON ROAD, ALONG THE NORTH SIDE OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT, AND ROUNDABOUT IMPROVEMENTS AT THE INTERSECTION OF DEAUVILLE BOULEVARD AND ARLINGTON ROAD. ORDERING THE CITY SECRETARY TO [00:20:02] RECORD THE VOLUNTARY PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR CITY MANAGER OR DEPUTY CITY MANAGER. THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE TO ACQUIRE, ON BEHALF OF THE CITY ANY REAL PROPERTY INTEREST NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF ANY PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS THAT WILL BE LOCATED ON LAND THAT IS NOT PRESENTLY OWNED BY THE CITY OR DEVELOPER, AND THAT THE CITY DOES NOT OTHERWISE HAVE THE RIGHT TO USE FOR PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS. AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE TO PURCHASE APPRAISALS AND TITLE INSURANCE POLICIES, NEGOTIATE, EXECUTE AND FILE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO ACQUIRE SAID REAL PROPERTY INTERESTS AND HOLD THE CLOSING FOR ACQUISITIONS, AUTHORIZING PAYMENTS FOR SITE APPRAISALS, TITLE INSURANCE POLICIES AND PAYMENTS FOR SET APPRAISALS, TITLE AND CLOSING COSTS. EXCUSE ME. AUTHORIZING PAYMENTS FOR SAID REAL PROPERTY INTERESTS IN AMOUNTS THAT DO NOT EXCEED THEIR FAIR MARKET VALUES, AND ORDERING THE CITY SECRETARY TO RECORD OR ENSURE THAT THE TITLE COMPANY RECORDS ALL INSTRUMENTS OF CONVEYANCE. THERE WE GO. SO WITH THAT, DOES ANYONE ON COUNCIL HAVE ANYTHING FOR ITEM NUMBER 14? SEEING NONE, I'D LIKE TO INVITE GRIFFIN PERROTTI TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEM 14. ACTUALLY, I SEE THAT YOU CHECKED. YOU WISH TO SPEAK ONLY IF NEEDED, BUT YOU'RE WELCOME TO COME AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. OKAY. AND THEN WE HAVE THE SAME FOR JORDAN COX. ONLY IF NEEDED. SO. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I READ ALL OF THAT UNNECESSARILY. WE COULD HAVE JUST HANDLED THAT IN CONSENT. WELL, IF NO ONE ON COUNCIL HAS ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS, I'LL LOOK FOR YOUR ACTION. SINCE IT WAS PULLED, THE ONLY THING I'LL MENTION IS I THINK THIS IS A REALLY GOOD WAY TO LOOK AT INFRASTRUCTURE FIRST. AND SO I WOULD IN DOING THIS AND A LOT OF WORK BEHIND THE SCENES, I THINK THIS IS MOVING FORWARD A STANDARD AND WE'RE GLAD THEY VOLUNTEERED TO DO THAT. I DO THINK, TO YOUR POINT, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO SAY THANK YOU TO DEVELOPERS THAT ARE WILLING TO HELP WITH THESE SORTS OF THINGS. WHEN YOU'RE ADDING SOMETHING IN A NEW AREA TO, TO CONTRIBUTE TO OUR COMMUNITY, WELL, TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND OUR INFRASTRUCTURE. AND SO WE APPRECIATE YOUR WILLINGNESS TO DO THAT AND WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT I KNOW THAT THIS HAS BEEN ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT YOU EXPECTED WHEN YOU STARTED. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL? SEEING NONE, I'LL LOOK FOR YOUR ACTION ON ITEM NUMBER 14. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN NORMAN, A SECOND FROM COUNCILWOMAN BURKS. IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE. HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO VOTE, COUNCILMAN NORMAN? OH, NEVER MIND. COUNCIL MEMBER POOL. OKAY, MAYOR. I VOTED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. OH, EXCUSE ME. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE WILL [16. 2026-123 - RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF AN OPERATING CERTIFICATE FOR RED RAIDER RIDES LLC; SETTING FORTH CONDITIONS ACCOMPANYING THE CERTIFICATE; AND ESTABLISHING THE TERMS OF THE CERTIFICATE (DISTRICT: ALL) (POLICE DEPARTMENT) (SET THE STANDARD FOR A SAFE AND SECURE CITY)] MOVE FORWARD TO ITEM NUMBER 16, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF AN OPERATING CERTIFICATE FOR RED RAIDER RIDES, LLC, SETTING FORTH CONDITIONS ACCOMPANYING THE CERTIFICATE AND ESTABLISHING THE TERMS OF THE CERTIFICATE. THIS IS ITEM NUMBER 16. DO WE HAVE ANY COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS ON THIS? THEN I'D LIKE TO INVITE DERRICK SMITH TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. HELLO AGAIN. I THOUGHT THAT I WAS IN FAVOR OF THIS, AND THE ONLY REASON I WANTED TO SPEAK WAS HAVING COME BACK FROM VEGAS AND TALKING TO SOME OF THESE PEOPLE THAT GO THROUGH OUR PROCESS, SUCH AS TARA MCLAIN, I'D LIKE YOU ALL TO LOOK AT HOW VEGAS RUNS THINGS, THEIR VARIOUS HOTELS, THE AIRPORT, AND THESE RIDE SHARE COMPANIES THAT GO THROUGH THE CITY AND DO EVERYTHING THE RIGHT WAY. BY PAYING THESE FEES, WE SHOULD BE DIRECTING THE PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING OFF THE PLANES TO THOSE PEOPLE. BECAUSE WHENEVER I GET OFF AT THE VEGAS AIRPORT, THERE WAS CLEAR SIGNAGE THAT THIS IS RIDESHARE, THESE ARE TAXIS. AND I MEAN, I PERSONALLY JUST PREFER TO TAKE A TAXI BECAUSE IT HAS THE PERSON'S LICENSE, ALL THIS INFORMATION. AND THEN AND I'M KIND OF GLAD THAT I DID TAKE A TAXI BECAUSE WHENEVER I REACHED OVER TO PAY, I ACCIDENTALLY UNCLIPPED MY PHONE AND I WAS ABLE TO CALL THE TAXI COMPANY AND GET MY PHONE BACK, WHICH I NEEDED. AND TALKING TO THESE PEOPLE, OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT'S OUT THERE, AND OTHER AIRPORT PERSONNEL WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ENFORCING RULES, WHICH IS WHY THEY'RE APPLYING FOR THESE PERMITS AND EVERYTHING. THOSE RULES AREN'T GETTING ENFORCED LIKE THEY SHOULD. AND SO I JUST WANTED YOU ALL TO BE AWARE OF THAT ON THEIR BEHALF AND TO TRY AND DO SOMETHING THAT BETTER GIVES THEM THE PROTECTION THAT THEY'RE SEEKING. THAT'S WHY THEY'RE TRYING TO ABIDE BY ALL OF OUR RULES, AND TO JUST LOOK AT HOW OTHER CITIES WITH THEIR AIRPORTS AND EVERYTHING, DO THIS STUFF SO THAT THOSE WHO PAY THESE FEES, THEY SHOULD GET SOMETHING IN RETURN FOR THAT FEE, THEY SHOULD GET SOME KIND OF RECOGNITION THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHY I PREFER A TAXI OVER ONE OF THESE RIDESHARES. I'VE [00:25:03] SEEN TOO MANY STORIES OF HORROR STORIES WITH THESE RIDESHARES THAT I HAVEN'T SEEN WITH A TAXI. I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE IT BECAUSE THE CONVENIENCE AND EVERYTHING, BUT I JUST WOULD LIKE TO ASK Y'ALL TO LOOK INTO HOW OUR AIRPORT IS HANDLING THE SITUATION, AND THEN IT SHOULD BE A COMPLETELY SEPARATE AREA FOR THE RIDESHARES AND A COMPLETELY SEPARATE AREA FOR THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THESE PERMITS. AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE ON THIS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. DO WE HAVE ANYTHING FURTHER FROM COUNCIL OR STAFF ON THIS ITEM? I'LL LOOK FOR YOUR ACTION IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN BURKS AND A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN NORMAN. IF THERE IS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE. THE [17. 077-2026 - MOTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH MIDLAND COUNTY UNDER WHICH (1) THE CITY WILL CONSTRUCT A PORTION OF SINCLAIR AVENUE FROM A POINT APPROXIMATELY 1,500 FEET WEST OF STATE HIGHWAY 158 TO THE LOCATION OF THE EXTENSION OF COUNTY ROAD 1250, A PORTION OF COUNTY ROAD 1250 FROM SINCLAIR AVENUE TO STATE HIGHWAY 191, AND INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS AT THE INTERSECTION OF SINCLAIR AVENUE AND COUNTY ROAD 1250 AND (2) MIDLAND COUNTY WILL PAY TO THE CITY THE SUM OF $3,000,000.00 (DISTRICT: 4) (STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS OFFICE ) (STRENGTHEN AND SUSTAIN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE)] MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU. AND WE'LL MOVE FORWARD TO ITEM NUMBER 17, A MOTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH MIDLAND COUNTY, UNDER WHICH THE CITY WILL CONSTRUCT A PORTION OF SINCLAIR AVENUE FROM A POINT APPROXIMATELY 1500FT WEST OF STATE HIGHWAY 158 TO THE LOCATION OF THE EXTENSION OF COUNTY ROAD 1250, A PORTION OF COUNTY ROAD 1250 FROM SINCLAIR AVENUE TO STATE HIGHWAY 191, AND INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS AT THE INTERSECTION OF SINCLAIR AVENUE AND COUNTY ROAD 1250 AND TWO. THAT MIDLAND COUNTY WILL PAY THE SUM OF $3 MILLION. SO, COUNCILMAN BURKS, I BELIEVE YOU PULLED THIS ONE. I DID. I JUST KIND OF WANTED A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND SO WE CAN KIND OF GO OVER THAT AND THEN HIGHLIGHT THE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COUNTY, BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. ABSOLUTELY. GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. LINDSEY ADAMS, STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS OFFICER I DO HAVE A BRIEF PRESENTATION. SO THIS ITEM IS AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH MIDLAND COUNTY. WE ARE EXTENDING SINCLAIR FROM BASICALLY WHERE COSTCO IS HEADING WEST TOWARDS FUTURE COUNTY ROAD 1250. I DO HAVE A MAP, SO IT'S EASIER TO UNDERSTAND. AND THE COUNTY HAS BEEN A GRACIOUS PARTNER AND IS GIVING US $3 MILLION TOWARDS THIS PROJECT, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY COUNTY ROAD 1250 IS A COUNTY ROAD, AND SO THEY'VE BEEN EXCELLENT PARTNERS TO US IN THIS. AND THIS WILL ALLOW US TO GET THAT INFRASTRUCTURE AS THAT SIDE OF TOWN CONTINUES TO GROW AND DEVELOP. THIS IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT. CAN YOU GO BACK TO THE MAP, THE THAT INTERSECTION AT 1250 DOESN'T CURRENTLY TIE IN RIGHT THERE. AND SO THIS WILL THIS WILL CREATE ANOTHER PACKAGE AND CIRCULATION CAPACITY FOR ALL OF THE TRAFFIC THAT IS ALREADY OVER THERE AND WILL BE COMING AS WELL. YES, MA'AM. I JUST WANTED TO AGAIN THANK THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND THAT WE WORK VERY WELL TOGETHER AND TO CONTINUE FINDING ROADS AND WORKING TOGETHER. YES, MA'AM. THAT'S RIGHT. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. ALL RIGHT. WE'LL LOOK FOR YOUR ACTION ON ITEM NUMBER 1417. EXCUSE ME. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILWOMAN BURKS AND A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN NORMAN. THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION. LET'S VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE WILL MOVE FORWARD TO [19. 10786 - AN ORDINANCE VACATING AND ABANDONING AN APPROXIMATE 0.055-ACRE PORTION OF ALLEY RIGHT-OF-WAY LOCATED ADJACENT TO LOTS 21 AND 22, BLOCK 2, REPLAT OF ALL GLEN ARDEN, CITY AND COUNTY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS (GENERALLY LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF WEST WADLEY AVENUE, APPROXIMATELY 150 FEET EAST OF RACQUET CLUB DRIVE) ON REQUEST OF ONE OR MORE ABUTTING PROPERTY OWNERS IN EXCHANGE FOR PAYMENT TO THE CITY OF THE SUM OF $9,600.00; RETAINING A NONEXCLUSIVE UTILITY EASEMENT; AND ORDERING RECORDATION BY THE CITY SECRETARY (FIRST READING HELD AUGUST 25, 2026) (DISTRICT: 3) (DEVELOPMENT SERVICES) (QUALITY OF LIFE AND PLACE)] SECOND READINGS. AND FOR THOSE THAT ARE NEW TO OUR COUNCIL MEETING, THAT THESE ARE THINGS THAT WE HAVE SEEN AND DISCUSSED IN PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETINGS. SO SOME OF THESE MAY MOVE QUICKLY. AND IF THERE IS NO DISCUSSION, JUST BE AWARE THAT THAT TOOK PLACE IN THE IN THE PREVIOUS MEETING. SO WE'LL START WITH ITEM NUMBER 19, PLEASE. AN ORDINANCE VACATING AND ABANDONING APPROXIMATE 0.055 ACRE PORTION OF ALLEY RIGHT OF WAY, LOCATED ADJACENT TO LOTS 21 AND 22 BLOCK TWO REPLAT OF ALL GLEN ARDEN CITY AND COUNTY IN MIDLAND, TEXAS. GENERALLY LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF WEST WYLIE AVENUE, APPROXIMATELY 150FT EAST OF RACKET CLUB DRIVE ON REQUEST OR ONE OR MORE ABUTTING PROPERTY OWNERS IN EXCHANGE FOR PAYMENT TO THE CITY IN THE SUM OF $9,600, RETAINING A NON-EXCLUSIVE UTILITY EASEMENT AND RECORDING RECORDATION BY THE CITY SECRETARY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. DO WE HAVE ANY ACTION? WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILWOMAN BROOKS AND A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN STUBS. IF THERE IS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. [20. 10787 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS, APPROVING A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF CITIES SERVED BY ATMOS WEST TEXAS (“CITIES”) AND ATMOS ENERGY CORP., WEST TEXAS DIVISION (THE “COMPANY”) REGARDING THE COMPANY’S 2026 RATE REVIEW MECHANISM FILING; DECLARING EXISTING RATES TO BE UNREASONABLE; ADOPTING TARIFFS THAT REFLECT RATE ADJUSTMENTS CONSISTENT WITH THE NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT; FINDING THE RATES TO BE SET BY THE SETTLEMENT TARIFFS TO BE JUST AND REASONABLE AND IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST; APPROVING AN ATTACHMENT ESTABLISHING A BENCHMARK FOR PENSIONS AND RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS; REQUIRING THE COMPANY TO REIMBURSE CITIES’ REASONABLE RATEMAKING EXPENSES; DETERMINING THAT THIS ORDINANCE WAS PASSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT; CONTAINING A CUMULATIVE CLAUSE; CONTAINING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY SECRETARY TO DELIVER THIS ORDINANCE TO THE COMPANY AND CITIES’ LEGAL COUNSEL; AND ORDERING PUBLICATION (FIRST READING HELD AUGUST 25, 2026) (DISTRICT: ALL) (STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS OFFICE ) (PROVIDE SOUND GOVERNANCE & FISCAL MANAGEMENT)] THANK YOU. ITEM NUMBER 20, PLEASE. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND CITY COUNCIL. THE CITY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS, APPROVING A NEGOTIATING A SETTLEMENT BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE CITIES SERVED BY ATMOS, WEST TEXAS CITIES AND ATMOS ENERGY CORP. WEST TEXAS DIVISION, THE COMPANY, REGARDING THE COMPANY'S 2026 RATE REVIEW MECHANISM FILING, DECLARING EXISTING RATES TO BE UNREASONABLE, ADOPTING TARIFFS THAT REFLECT RATE ADJUSTMENTS CONSISTENT WITH THE NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT, FINDING THE RATES TO BE SET BY THE SETTLEMENT TARIFFS TO BE JUST AND REASONABLE AND IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST, APPROVING AN ATTACHMENT, ESTABLISHING A BENCHMARK FOR PENSION AND RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS. REQUIRING THE COMPANY TO REIMBURSE CITIES REASONABLE RATE MAKING EXPENSES. DETERMINING THAT THIS ORDINANCE WAS PASSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE TEXAS OPEN MEETING ACT, CONTAINING A CLAUSE AND A SAVINGS CLAUSE DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE, AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY SECRETARY TO DELIVER THIS ORDINANCE TO THE COMPANY AND CITIES LEGAL COUNSEL AND ORDERING PUBLICATION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILWOMAN POOL, SECOND FROM COUNCILWOMAN BURKS. IF THERE IS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU VERY [21. 10788 - GATHER PUBLIC INPUT ON THE PROPOSED 2026-2027 BUDGET; AND CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND PROVIDING FUNDS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2026, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2027, BY APPROVING THE BUDGET FOR SAID PERIOD AND APPROPRIATING AND SETTING ASIDE THE NECESSARY FUNDS OUT OF THE GENERAL AND OTHER REVENUES AND UNAPPROPRIATED FUND BALANCE OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND FOR SAID FISCAL YEAR FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AND FOR VARIOUS ACTIVITIES AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CITY; AND ORDERING PUBLICATION TAXPAYER IMPACT STATEMENT: A. FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 MEDIAN-VALUED HOMESTEAD PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF MIDLAND, (1) THE CITY PROPERTY TAX BILL FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR ($0.347999 PER $100 OF TAXABLE VALUE) IS $945.62, (2) THE ESTIMATED CITY PROPERTY TAX BILL FOR THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR IF THE PROPOSED BUDGET IS ADOPTED ($0.383092 PER $100 OF TAXABLE VALUE) IS $1,040.98, AND (3) THE ESTIMATED CITY PROPERTY TAX BILL FOR THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR IF A BALANCED BUDGET FUNDED AT THE NO-NEW-REVENUE TAX RATE AS CALCULATED UNDER CHAPTER 26, TAX CODE, IS ADOPTED ($0.383092 PER $100 OF TAXABLE VALUE) IS $1040.98 B. FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 MEDIAN-VALUED HOMESTEAD PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF MIDLAND, (1) THE CITY PROPERTY TAX BILL FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR ($0.347999 PER $100 OF TAXABLE VALUE) IS $797.79, (2) THE ESTIMATED CITY PROPERTY TAX BILL FOR THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR IF THE PROPOSED BUDGET IS ADOPTED ($0.383092 PER $100 OF TAXABLE VALUE) IS $878.24, AND (3) THE ESTIMATED CITY PROPERTY TAX BILL FOR THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR IF A BALANCED BUDGET FUNDED AT THE NO-NEW-REVENUE TAX RATE AS CALCULATED UNDER CHAPTER 26, TAX CODE, IS ADOPTED ($0.383092 PER $100 OF TAXABLE VALUE) IS $878.24 (DISTRICT: NONE) (FINANCE) (PROVIDE SOUND GOVERNANCE & FISCAL MANAGEMENT)] [00:30:07] MUCH. WE WILL MOVE FORWARD TO ITEM NUMBER 21. PUBLIC HEARINGS GATHER PUBLIC INPUT ON THE PROPOSED 2026 2027 BUDGET, AND CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND PROVIDING FUNDS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1ST, 2026 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2027. BY APPROVING THE BUDGET FOR SAID PERIOD AND APPROPRIATING AND SETTING ASIDE THE NECESSARY FUNDS OUT OF THE GENERAL AND OTHER REVENUES AND UNAPPROPRIATED FUND BALANCE OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND FOR SAID FISCAL YEAR, FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS, AND FOR VARIOUS ACTIVITIES AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CITY, AND ORDERING PUBLICATION. WELCOME, CHRISTIE. WE'D LOVE TO HEAR A LITTLE BIT FROM YOU. I KNOW YOU'VE PREPARED A COUPLE THINGS FOR US, SO WE'LL LET YOU START. GOOD MORNING MAYOR. GOOD MORNING COUNCIL. CHRISTIE WEAKLAND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER YES, MA'AM. THIS MORNING I AM PRESENTING THE FISCAL BUDGET FOR 2027. THIS BUDGET HAS THREE BASIC ELEMENTS. WE ARE ADOPTING THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE. WE'RE KEEPING OPERATIONS ESSENTIALLY FLAT, AND WE'RE PAYING CASH FOR CAPITAL ITEMS INSTEAD OF DEBT. SO OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, WE'VE BEEN TALKING QUITE A BIT ABOUT OUR FINANCIAL STRATEGY. WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO FIND CAPACITY AND HAVE BEEN FINDING CAPACITY THROUGH EFFICIENCIES, COST RECOVERIES, PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE COMMUNITY. ET CETERA. AND FOR EVERY DOLLAR WE'VE SAVED OR RECOVERED, WE ARE PUTTING THAT BACK, INVESTING IT BACK INTO MIDLAND. SO AS I SAID, WE ARE PRESENTING TO YOU TODAY OR PROPOSING THE NO NEW REVENUE PROPERTY TAX RATE. WHAT THAT MEANS IS PROPERTY ALREADY ON THE TAX ROLL GENERATED $65.2 MILLION LAST YEAR, AND IT GENERATES $65.2 MILLION. UNDER THIS BUDGET, THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL 2.4 MILLION THAT COMES FROM NEW CONSTRUCTION AND NEW GROWTH. AND LOOKED AT ANOTHER WAY, WE HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND THAT AS WE ADD NEW HOMES AND NEW BUSINESSES, THAT EQUALS NEW SERVICES THAT WE HAVE TO PROVIDE FOR THOSE. SO THAT IS THE NEW GROWTH PORTION OF IT. THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE ALLOWS US TO HAVE MIDLAND CONTINUE TO BE HAVE ONE OF THE LOWEST PROPERTY TAX RATES AMONG OUR PEER CITIES. SO LOOKING ALL IN THIS YEAR'S, THE 2027 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET IS $504 MILLION. BUT INCLUDING INCLUDED IN THIS BUDGET IS $46 MILLION OF CAPITAL ITEMS. THOSE ARE ONE TIME ITEMS, NOT GROWTH IN OUR OPERATING COSTS. SO IF YOU REMOVE THOSE, THE $46 MILLION OF CAPITAL ITEMS, WE ARE WITHIN 1% OF OUR LAST YEAR'S OPERATING BUDGET. ALSO WANT TO BE CLEAR ON THESE. WE OFTEN THROW AROUND OUR GENERAL FUND VERSUS OUR ENTERPRISE FUNDS. SOME OF THESE ARE GOING TO BE PAID FOR THROUGH SPECIFIC LIKE AIRPORT FUNDING. SOME OF THESE PROJECTS COME FROM THE AIRPORT FUND ITSELF, WHICH DOES NOT IMPACT. WE'RE NOT USING PROPERTY TAXES TO SUBSIDIZE THAT. I JUST WANT THE COMMUNITY TO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE VARIOUS DIFFERENT FUNDS IN THE GENERAL FUND IS WHERE OUR AD VALOREM TAX COMES IN. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE VOTING ON TODAY. ALONG WITH OUR BUDGET IS THE AD VALOREM TAX. AND SO WHEN THESE NUMBERS START TO FEEL LIKE THEY DON'T LINE UP, IT'S BECAUSE SOME OF THEM ARE COMING FROM OTHER FUNDS. THAT IS CORRECT. AS YOU KNOW, PUBLIC SAFETY HAS CONTINUED TO BE ONE OF MIDLAND'S HIGHEST PRIORITIES OVER THE LAST DECADE. THE INVESTMENT IN POLICE AND FIRE HAS DOUBLED. SAID ANOTHER WAY, IF YOU LOOK AT OUR FULL PROPERTY TAX REVENUE THAT COMES IN, IT, 100% GOES TOWARD PUBLIC SAFETY. AND THEN THERE'S STILL A $37 MILLION GAP UP AND ABOVE OUR PROPERTY TAX REVENUE THAT HAS TO BE FUNDED THROUGH SOME OTHER REVENUE SOURCES. SO THAT IS THAT IS THE SHORT PRESENTATION TODAY. BUT BASICALLY, THIS BUDGET IS BUILT AROUND THE CLEAR PRIORITIES OF PUBLIC SAFETY WATER, ROADS, PARKS AND MIDLAND'S FUTURE. WE'RE PROPOSING NO NEW REVENUE RATE. WE'RE KEEPING OPERATIONS RELATIVELY FLAT, AND WE ARE PAYING CASH FOR CRITICAL INVESTMENTS INSTEAD OF DEBT. I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. ANY QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS? I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THE AMOUNT OF TIME AND EFFORT THAT GOES INTO THIS IS AMAZING. SO YOU ALL DID A GREAT JOB INFORMING US OF THIS TIME. I, I FEEL LIKE YOU PUT ABOUT SIX [00:35:01] MONTHS OF WORK INTO TEN SLIDES, WHICH IS AMAZING. AND THANK YOU FOR THAT. AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THE UPDATES THAT YOU'VE BEEN DOING. THANK YOU. IT'S VERY COMPREHENSIVE THIS TIME. SO SO FOR ANYONE THAT THAT WANTS A MORE THOROUGH PRESENTATION, WE DID ALREADY MEET ABOUT THIS ONCE AND WE, WE WENT THROUGH EVERYTHING. AND SO THAT INFORMATION IS OUT THERE. YOU CAN GO BACK AND VIEW THAT MEETING IF YOU WANT ANY MORE CONTEXT. THE PRESENTATION THAT WAS GIVEN AT THAT TIME IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE. SO WE WOULD INVITE ANYBODY FROM THE COMMUNITY TO, TO FAMILIARIZE THEMSELVES AND ASK ANY QUESTIONS, AS IS THE FULL PROPOSED BOOK. IT'S ABOUT THIS BIG. I WOULD JUST ADD THAT WE WERE ABLE TO GET THIS TO COUNCIL A FULL MONTH IN ADVANCE OF LAST YEAR AND LAST YEAR, AND THE YEAR BEFORE. IT'S BEEN IN ADVANCE OF THE BUDGET. AND THIS YEAR YOU ALL ASKED FOR ANOTHER 30 DAYS. AND I KNOW SEVERAL OF YOU HAD SEVERAL INDIVIDUAL BRIEFINGS WITH US THAT YOU ALL REQUESTED. AND I DID JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT, AGAIN, JUST THE THE PORTION WHERE YOU TALK ABOUT HOW WE ARE SPENDING CASH ON SOME OF THOSE CAPITAL PROJECTS. AND I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, TOMMY, YOU AND YOUR TEAM HAVE TAKEN. WHAT WE HAVE SAID IS COUNCIL AND WANTING TO TO PUT MONEY BACK SO THAT WE CAN START PAYING CASH FOR THOSE LARGER THOSE LARGER PROJECTS. YOU'VE DONE THAT. AND IT'S VERY, VERY PLAIN TO SEE THAT. SO I KNOW I SPEAK FOR MYSELF, BUT I, I FEEL PRETTY CONFIDENT I CAN SPEAK FOR COUNCIL TO SAY THAT WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU ALL DOING THAT. AND I THINK THE COMMUNITY APPRECIATES THAT THEY MAY NOT REALIZE IT, BUT BUT WE ARE WE ARE TRYING TO SAVE UP FOR THOSE BIG PROJECTS JUST LIKE WE DO AT HOME. SO CAN YOU GO BACK TO THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT SLIDE? YEAH. SO THE WATER AND LANDFILL AND SOME OF THESE ROADS AND DRAINAGE, THOSE ARE JUST NOT VERY, YOU KNOW, EXCITING ON THE DAYS THAT WE DECIDE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THOSE. BUT THEY ALLOW US TO LIVE IN THIS COMMUNITY AND HAVE THE LIVES AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE HAVE. SO ALL VERY IMPORTANT. YES, THERE'S A LANDFILL CELL THAT WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO BUILD PRETTY SOON, AND THAT DEFINITELY IS NOT VERY ATTRACTIVE, BUT IT WON'T BE ATTRACTIVE IF WE DON'T BUILD IT. SO THAT'S RIGHT. AND IT'S IT'S COSTLY. YEAH. SO THROUGH THESE CONVERSATIONS, THE LAST, I DON'T KNOW, THREE WEEKS NOW AND AGAIN, GREAT JOB INFORMING US. I DO THINK THERE IS AN ISSUE THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT A LITTLE BIT ABOUT, YOU KNOW, FIREFIGHTER PAY AND FIREFIGHTER RETENTION. AND SO I KNOW THE CITY STAFF HAS DONE AN AMAZING DEEP DIVE OVER THE WEEKEND. AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THAT. THERE'S A LOT OF GREAT INFORMATION THAT WE'VE BEEN BEEN GIVEN. SO I DO DO THINK THAT THERE'S A CONVERSATION THAT WE NEED TO HAVE ABOUT MOSTLY THAT YOUNGER FIREFIGHTER, LESS EXPERIENCED FIREFIGHTER RETENTION RATE. WE DID A GREAT JOB ABOUT 2 OR 3 YEARS AGO, KIND OF CORRECTING THE THE POLICE PAY, MAKING THAT MORE COMPETITIVE. AND I THINK WE NEED TO REALLY LOOK AT DOING THE SAME THING EVEN THIS YEAR FOR OUR FIREFIGHTERS IN THE SAME KIND OF TOKEN THAT WE DID WITH POLICE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. SO I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO I WANT TO SECOND YOU ON THAT. I FEEL COMPLETELY THE SAME WAY. YOU KNOW, A CITY OF LUBBOCK REPRESENTATIVE WENT PUBLIC AND STATED THAT HE ACTIVELY WAS PLANNING ON TAKING 30 OF OUR FIREMEN. THEY'RE THEY'RE INSTITUTING A NEW SHIFT SERVICE OVER THERE THAT ALLOWS THEM TO HAVE NOT JUST AN A, B, C SHIFT, BUT A, B, C, D SHIFT, WHICH ALLOWS THEM TO HAVE A LOT MORE TIME OFF. AND OUR GUYS, NOT ONLY THAT, THEY'RE ALL ALMOST ALL TRAINED EMTS, MOST FIRE DEPARTMENTS AREN'T. OUR GUYS ALSO SERVE THE COUNTY AND DO ALL KINDS OF AMAZING WORK. AND I THINK WE NEED TO DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO ADDRESS THAT. AND I JUST WANT TO REMIND THE PUBLIC THAT, YOU KNOW, IF YOU COMBINE POLICE AND FIRE, THAT'S $98 MILLION. AND WE'VE DOUBLED THE WE'VE DOUBLED THE WHAT WE PUT INTO THOSE DEPARTMENTS, BUT 81 MILLION COMES OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND. SO THE ADD TO THAT SLIDE VALOREM TAXES PROVIDE US, LET'S SAY, 81 MILLION, SO THAT THE AD VALOREM TAXES AS THEY EXIST RIGHT NOW, DON'T EVEN COVER THOSE TWO DEPARTMENTS. $66 MILLION. REALLY? YEAH. REALLY. IT'S 60. YES. YEAH. BECAUSE IF YOU FACTOR IN THE DEBT. SO I DO THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT THAT. AND I THINK WE NEED TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS STAY HERE AND RETENTION RATES ARE ARE ADDRESSED AND DUTIFULLY. AND THE LAST THING I WANT TO SEE IS HAVE 30 OFFICERS GO TO TO LUBBOCK, TEXAS. SO WELL, AND I THINK YOU BRING SOME REALLY VALID POINTS. AND LUBBOCK HAS RESET THE THE SCALE FOR THINGS IN WEST TEXAS FOR SIMILARLY SIZED CITIES. AND I DO WANT TO POINT OUT A FEW THINGS THAT ARE DIFFERENT ABOUT MIDLAND AND LUBBOCK. ONE OF THOSE IS THAT OUR MIDLAND FIREFIGHTERS HANDLE ALL OF THE EMS SERVICES FOR OUR HOSPITAL DISTRICT. THAT IS NOT THE CASE IN LUBBOCK. SO LUBBOCK, THEIR FIRE DEPARTMENT IS JUST THEIR FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THEN THEIR HOSPITAL DISTRICTS AND THEIR HOSPITALS ARE MANAGING THEIR EMS. SO WE'RE ABSORBING AS A CITY AND AS A LOCAL AD VALOREM TAX RATE, WE'RE ABSORBING SOMETHING THAT IS NOT [00:40:02] THE CASE FOR THEM. ADDITIONALLY, I BELIEVE CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG HERE, TOMMY OR OTHERS, BUT WE'RE COVERING ALL OF THE FIRE AND EMS FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY OF MIDLAND. LUBBOCK IS ONLY THE CITY LIMITS OF LUBBOCK. AND SO THERE ARE SOME MASSIVE DISTINCTIONS HERE WHEN WE START TALKING ABOUT THE COSTS THAT ARE INCURRED FOR CITY OF MIDLAND RESIDENTS THAT ARE NOT DEFRAYED ACROSS THOSE OTHER TAXING ENTITIES IN THE WAY THAT THEY ARE, YOU KNOW, IN IN LUBBOCK, THEY HAVE OTHER TAXING ENTITIES THAT ARE COLLECTING MONEY, HAVE THEIR OWN BUDGETS AND THEIR OWN COSTS INCURRED FOR THAT. WE'RE ABSORBING ALL OF THAT IN OUR GENERAL FUND BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF MIDLAND. AND SO THIS IS A REALLY IMPORTANT THING FOR US TO TAKE SERIOUSLY. WE CAN'T WE CAN'T WHINE ABOUT THAT. IT IS IT IS OUR CURRENT REALITY. BUT WE DO NEED TO BE PRAGMATIC ABOUT THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN WHAT WE'RE COVERING AND WHAT SOME OF THESE OTHER COMMUNITIES ARE COVERING. ABSOLUTELY. SO WITH THAT, THIS MOST RECENT CHANGE THAT LUBBOCK HAS MADE WAS NOT CONTEMPLATED IN ALL OF THE SIX MONTHS OF PREPARATION FOR THIS BUDGET. IT JUST HAPPENED LAST WEEK. WE JUST WE ARE WORKING ON THIS REAL TIME. SO WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE SOME DECISIONS ABOUT HOW WE WILL ADDRESS THIS. WE HAD SOME CONVERSATIONS WITH THE PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS OF MIDLAND. I THINK MOST OF US, AS COUNCIL MEMBERS, GOT TO MEET WITH THEM AND TALK ABOUT THAT. THE REALITY OF WHERE WE ARE IN OUR BUDGET CYCLE MEANS THAT WE'VE ALREADY SET THE CEILING FOR OUR TAX RATE. WE CAN'T COME OUT AND SAY, NOW WE'RE GOING TO DO THESE THINGS WITHOUT IMPACTING THE OTHER THINGS THAT ARE PLANNED IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET. AND SO IF WE ARE TO MAKE A CHANGE TODAY, THEN THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES. WE EITHER HAVE TO. THERE'S REALLY TWO OPTIONS. TOMMY, CAN YOU TELL US WHAT ARE THE TWO WAYS THAT WE CAN HELP TO ADDRESS THIS? SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE SOME CUTS AND WE'RE PREPARED TO DO THAT. I KNOW THAT THE COUNCIL I HEARD FROM COUNCIL FIRST ON LATE THURSDAY NIGHT AND THEN FRIDAY, AND THEN. SO STAFF WANT TO COMMEND THEM FOR. WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS THE WHOLE WEEKEND IN ORDER TO ADDRESS IT. AND YOU'RE RIGHT, I DO THINK THAT IN LUBBOCK'S ACTIONS THAT THEY TOOK, IT IS GOING TO IMPACT THE REGION. AND SO WE'RE NOT BLIND TO THAT. AND I KNOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN SOME THINGS THAT WE HAVE ALREADY DONE IN POLICE AND FIRE. OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE TO KEEP UP. AND IT'S A IT'S A MOVING TARGET. AND WE KNOW THAT I THINK THE FIRE DEPARTMENT KNOWS THAT POLICE DEPARTMENT KNOWS THAT. I MEAN, THAT SLIDE RIGHT. THERE IS NO MISTAKE. I MEAN, THERE IS ACTUAL REAL DOLLARS THAT GO INTO A LOT OF THESE DECISIONS AND THE PRIORITIES THAT THE COUNCIL HAS FOR THIS COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC SAFETY, THAT THE TOP ROADS, OBVIOUSLY WATER AND PARK MAINTENANCE, BUT IT'S IN THAT ORDER. SO WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON SOME THINGS, AND I KNOW THAT WE'VE WE'VE SPOKEN TO COUNCIL ALREADY ABOUT HOW, YOU KNOW, THE NUMBER OF FIREFIGHTERS THAT WE HAVE AND THE NUMBER OF FIREFIGHTERS THAT HAVE BEEN ADDED SINCE 23. SO I WANTED TO MAKE THAT POINT. AND THEN WE HAVE LOOKED AT PAY RAISES IN OTHER RANK POSITIONS. LIKE EVEN IN LAST YEAR THAT WAS DONE, WE DID INCREASE THE PAY FROM 60 TO 65. OBVIOUSLY, LIKE I SAID, IT'S A MOVING TARGET. SO THIS IS A, YOU KNOW, AN ORGANIC TYPE OF THING. SO I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO, TO NICOLE TO KIND OF SHARE WITH COUNCIL WHAT WE LOOKED AT THIS WEEKEND AND KIND OF WHAT WE FEEL LIKE WOULD MAKE A LOT OF SENSE TO DO AND THEN COME BACK WITH A SECOND AND THIRD YEAR PROGRAM OF WHAT WE CAN DO GOING FORWARD, BUT WE'LL HAVE SOME TIME TO PLAN FOR THAT. AND THIS THIS PARTICULAR YEAR, WE'LL ADDRESS KIND OF THE THE MEAT OF THE ISSUE, WHICH IS THE STARTING PAY. I KNOW THAT THE 0 TO 5 YEARS IS KIND OF THE THE SPOT THAT WE'RE BEING IMPACTED. AND SO THAT'S WHAT TODAY'S PRESENTATION WILL FOCUS ON. WELL, AND I WANT TO BEFORE WE GO FORWARD, ALSO JUST STATE FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, I THINK WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE MAKE SOME JUDGMENT CALLS HERE BASED ON WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO PRESENT TO US. I THINK WE ALSO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAY, WE'D LIKE TO DEFER THIS CONVERSATION TO A FUTURE DATE AND MAKE AN AMENDMENT TO OUR BUDGET BASED ON THE INFORMATION, SO THAT WON'T CHANGE THE TAX RATE, BUT THAT WOULD AMEND OUR BUDGET. WE REALLY ONLY HAVE TWO OPTIONS HERE. WE CAN EITHER CUT SOME SERVICES OR SOMETHING ELSE THAT'S CURRENTLY IN OUR BUDGET, OR WE CAN GO INTO FUND BALANCE THIS YEAR TO COVER THE COSTS THAT WE'RE INCURRING. THAT'S CORRECT. THOSE TWO THINGS. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY. AND SO YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE US SOME OPTIONS THAT WE CAN CONSIDER. WE CAN CHOOSE TO DO THAT WITHIN THIS BUDGET VOTE, OR WE CAN CHOOSE TO DEFER IT AND COME BACK AND MAKE AN AMENDMENT IN THE FUTURE. OUR RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE TO MAKE CUTS, NOT NOT TO GO INTO THE FUND BALANCE, BUT YES, MA'AM. THOSE ARE THE TWO CONSIDERATIONS. AND THEN IF WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THE SECOND AND THIRD YEAR AND BRING THAT BACK TO COUNCIL FOR COUNCIL'S CONSIDERATION, WE WOULD WORK DILIGENTLY TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE REOCCURRING REVENUES TO PAY FOR THOSE ADDITIONAL COSTS THAT WE WOULD BE INCURRING, SO THAT IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE A DEFICIT GOING INTO THE SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH YEAR. AS COUNCIL KNOWS, YOU DO HAVE A FIVE YEAR BUDGET FORECAST. THIS IS FACTORED INTO THAT FIVE YEAR FORECAST. THAT'S THE REASON WHY WE DO THAT, IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THERE'S NO SURPRISES, AS YOU'VE ALREADY POINTED OUT. AND AND IN THE DEFENSE OF THE OF THE DEPARTMENT, THIS JUST HAPPENED WITH WITH LUBBOCK. SO THERE IS A REACTION THAT HAS TO TAKE PLACE TO THAT ACTION. YEP. OKAY. NICOLE, WE'RE ANXIOUS TO [00:45:01] HEAR FROM YOU. ALL RIGHT. SO YES, WE DEFINITELY HEARD THE REACTION FROM THE LUBBOCK SIDE OF THINGS. AND OVER THE WEEKEND DID A LOT OF DEEP DIVING INTO NOT ONLY WHAT THAT REACTION LOOKS LIKE FOR US TO STAY COMPETITIVE IN THIS MARKET. OBVIOUSLY, WE'RE COMPETING WITH LUBBOCK, BUT ALSO ODESSA, ABILENE, SAN ANGELO, SOME OF THOSE LOCAL AREAS. SO THAT WAS A BIG PIECE OF IT IS WHERE DO WE STAND CURRENTLY IN THAT MARKET? WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO STAY COMPETITIVE IN THAT MARKET? DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN WE'RE THE TOP IN THAT MARKET, BUT WE'RE STILL COMPETITIVE. SO LOOKING AT SOME OF THOSE DIFFERENT THINGS, WE WANTED TO FIRST TOUCH ON WHERE OUR VACANCIES TRULY LIE RIGHT NOW. SO CURRENTLY WE HAVE 23 POSITIONS THAT WE HAVE ADDED TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SINCE 2023. AS OF FRIDAY, WE HAVE 16 IN THE ACADEMY. SO THAT LEAVES US 17 VACANCIES. AND I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT THOSE 17 VACANCIES TRULY REFLECT THE ADDED POSITIONS, NOT THE LOSS OF PERSONNEL. SO I THINK THAT'S A CLEAR DISTINCTION THAT WE NEED TO MAINTAIN THROUGHOUT THIS CONVERSATION. OUR FOCUS IN THE RECENT YEARS HAS BEEN ON PUBLIC SAFETY AS A WHOLE WITHIN PD. OF COURSE, AS WE MENTIONED EARLIER, THE SALARIES HAVE INCREASED FROM 60 TO 80,000. WE'VE DECREASED THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THEY CAN MAKE IN A SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME. SO THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO EARN MORE QUICKER. AND THEN WE'VE THIS YEAR LOOKED AT INVESTING INTO THAT TACTICAL GEAR FOR THEM. SO IN THE PD SIDE, WE'VE HANDLED A LOT OF THOSE CONCERNS. NOW LOOKING INTO THE FIRE SIDE, WE'VE INCREASED THEIR BUDGET BY 50% SINCE 2018. SO WE'VE DOUBLED THAT BUDGET EACH YEAR. WE'VE INCREASED MORE AND MORE. WE'VE ADDED SOME MAJOR FACILITY AND EQUIPMENT IMPROVEMENTS OVER THE YEARS. WE'VE HAD CONSISTENT COST OF LIVING INCREASES EACH YEAR, ANYWHERE FROM 2 TO 5%. THAT'S LOOKING BACK FROM 2023 TO CURRENT. WE'VE ALSO INCREASED THAT STARTING SALARY IN 2023. WE WERE SITTING AT 48,000. RIGHT NOW WE'RE SITTING AT 65,000 BEFORE MOVING INTO THIS NEXT FISCAL YEAR. SO THAT'S A MAJOR INCREASE JUST IN THE STARTING SALARY FOR OUR FIREFIGHTERS. AND THEN, OF COURSE, THE LEADERSHIP PAY. LAST YEAR THAT WE DID AN INCREASE, WE LOOKED AT THE BATTALION CHIEFS AS WELL AS THE CAPTAINS AND CAPTAINS HAD A 17% INCREASE IN THE BATTALION CHIEFS HAD A 23% INCREASE FOR THOSE UPPER LEADERSHIP POSITIONS. AND OF COURSE, THE PENSION FUND LAST YEAR, WE ADDRESSED THAT AS WELL. AND IF I MAY, I KNOW THAT SOUNDS LIKE A BIG NUMBER. BUT AGAIN, WHEN WE LOOK AT STAYING WITH THE COMPETITION AND JUST MAKING SURE WE DON'T GET BEHIND, THAT'S THE REASON FOR THOSE ADJUSTMENTS. ABSOLUTELY. SO WE'VE DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB OF THE LEADERSHIP SIDE OF THINGS AND LOOKING AT HOW DO WE KEEP THOSE LEADERSHIP POSITIONS FUNDED WELL WITHIN COMPETITIVE AND IN MANY CASES, ABOVE OTHER RATES OF OTHER DEPARTMENTS. SO WE'VE REALLY ADDRESSED THAT UPPER TIER OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. SO OUR FOCUS NOW HAS REALLY SHIFTING TO THAT 0 TO 5 YEAR MARK TO COUNCILMAN STUBBS, TO YOUR POINT, THAT IS OUR FOCUS NOW MOVING FORWARD IS WE'VE GOT TO ADDRESS THAT EARLY ON PIECE OF THOSE FIREFIGHTERS GETTING THEM IN THE DOOR. SO RECRUITING THEM, BEING ABLE TO RETAIN THEM, BUT ALSO BEING ABLE TO TRAIN THEM AND GIVING THEM WHAT THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO TRAIN APPROPRIATELY. AND NICOLE, I HATE TO INTERRUPT YOU, BUT I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT WE DID PART OF THOSE CHANGES TO THE UPPER MANAGEMENT PORTION BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE CHANGES. FIREFIGHTERS VOTED TO DECREASE THEIR BENEFITS AS PART OF OUR SOLUTION FOR THE FUND. AND SO BECAUSE WE WE HAD THEM VOTE ON THAT, WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE WERE GOING TO RETAIN SOME OF THOSE TENURED AND EXPERIENCED FOLKS. AND SO I THINK THAT WAS SOMETHING WE NEEDED TO DO. I'M GLAD WE DID IT. AND I THINK THAT IT HAS ACCOMPLISHED SOME OF WHAT WE NEEDED. THAT DOESN'T LEAVE OUT WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY, BUT I JUST DON'T WANT US TO FORGET THAT WE DID IT FOR THAT REASON. AND ALSO WE ASK OUR FIREFIGHTER, I JUST WENT THROUGH THAT. WE ASK OUR FIREFIGHTERS TO DO MORE THAN SOME OF THESE OTHER CITIES. THEY'RE DOING THINGS, YOU KNOW, HANDLING TANK BATTERY FIRES IN THE COUNTY AND MANAGING ALL OF THE EMS AND ALL THOSE ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATIONS. SO WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF NOT JUST WHAT WE'VE DONE, BUT WHAT THEY'RE DOING AS WELL. YEAH, ABSOLUTELY. THEY WORK HARDER THAN I WOULD ARGUE. LUBBOCK WE MIGHT BE BIASED, BUT THAT'S OKAY. SO YES, WE'VE MADE THOSE MAJOR STRIDES, BUT NOW WE'VE GOT TO LOOK AT THAT EARLY ON PIECE OF IT. AND SOME OF THE DATA THAT WE'VE PULLED, WE LOSE THE MAJORITY OF OUR FIREFIGHTERS IN THAT FIRST THREE YEARS. THAT IS THE KEY PIECE OF IT. SOME OF THOSE HAVE LEFT BECAUSE THEY'RE JUST NOT INTERESTED IN FIRE SERVICE AND LOOKING AT OTHER CAREERS. THEY DON'T MAKE IT THROUGH THE ACADEMY. VARIOUS DIFFERENT REASONS. VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THOSE ACTUALLY GO TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS. SO WE'RE JUST LOSING THEM BECAUSE WE'RE NOT, YOU KNOW, GETTING PEOPLE THAT REALLY WANT TO BE IN THAT SERVICE. THEY TRY IT OUT AND THEY WANT TO KIND OF MOVE ON TO OTHER THINGS, OR THEY'RE JUST NOT EQUIPPED TO DO THAT JOB. SO THAT IS OUR BIGGEST PIECE THAT WE'VE GOT TO FOCUS ON. SO WE'RE SHIFTING THAT FOCUS TO THAT 0 TO 5 YEAR STAFF. WE'VE PROVIDED A FEW OPTIONS THAT WE THINK COULD BE A SOLUTION. AGAIN, TO TOMMY'S POINT, THERE ARE CUTS THAT ARE GOING TO HAVE TO HAPPEN IF WE PUT THOSE INTO PLACE, BECAUSE WE'RE ALREADY INTO THAT BUDGET YEAR. SO THAT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO BE AWARE OF. THE FINANCE TEAM, CHRISTINA, LISA, HAVE IDENTIFIED SOME AREAS WHERE WE CAN MAKE THOSE CUTS, BUT THOSE ARE DEFINITELY THE CONSIDERATIONS. IF WE DO ANY OF THESE OPTIONS, THERE ARE CUTS ELSEWHERE. I THINK OUR OUR PROPOSAL TO YOU AT THIS POINT IS TO INCREASE THE STARTING PAY UP TO A $70,000 MARK. SO GOING FROM 65 UP TO 70,000 AND THEN ALSO INCLUDING INCREASING OUR DRIVER CERTIFICATION PAY. CURRENTLY, THIS LAST FISCAL YEAR, IT SITS AT 500. WE HAD ALREADY BUDGETED TO MOVE IT UP TO $700 PER MONTH. THIS WOULD PROPOSE THIS PROPOSAL WOULD MOVE IT UP TO $1,000 PER MONTH. BOTH OF THOSE WOULD TAKE PLACE [00:50:03] ON APRIL 1ST, IS WHAT OUR PROPOSAL PROPOSAL IS. THE ALTERNATIVE IS THE THE REQUEST THAT COUNCIL HAD KIND OF LOOKED AT, WHICH WOULD BE THE $5,000 INCREASE ACROSS THE BOARD THAT WOULD FOLLOW OUR 2% COLA THAT WE HAD ALREADY PUT INTO PLACE, AND APPLYING THAT TO EVERYBODY ACROSS THE BOARD. THAT'S, OF COURSE, A MUCH LARGER ASK THAT DOES ADDRESS EVERYBODY, GIVES EVERYBODY AN EVEN BIGGER BUMP, BUT THAT'S NOT FOCUSING TRULY ON WHAT OUR CORE FOCUS NEEDS TO BE, WHICH IS THAT 0 TO 5 YEAR. SO THAT GIVES YOU KIND OF BOTH ENDS OF THE SPECTRUM TO LOOK AT. AND THEN OF COURSE, WE CAN LOOK AT OTHER OPTIONS AS YOU SEE FIT. JUST TO CLARIFY, YOUR SECOND OPTION IS THAT EVERYBODY IN THE DEPARTMENT, BECAUSE WE KIND OF JUST TALKED ABOUT DOING THE DRIVER AND BELOW GIVING THEM A BUMP, A CLEAR DISTINCTION TO JUST SO YOU ALL ARE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE. THE DRIVER IS A FIREFIGHTER LEVEL, SO IT'S FIREFIGHTER, THERE'S NOT A DRIVER DISTINCTION. THEY GET A CERTIFICATION PAY. SO THEY WOULD GET THOSE DRIVERS WILL GET AN INCREASE. WE WERE LOOKING TO BUMP THAT TO 1000 A MONTH FROM THE CURRENT 500. SO THAT WOULD BE IN EFFECT FOR SURE. THAT FIRST OPTION OF THE $70,000 BUMP IS THAT FIREFIGHTER LEVEL STARTING AT THAT 7000 AND GOING UP FROM THERE. SO THAT LEVEL WOULD GET THAT INCREASE. THE SECOND OPTION GIVES EVERYBODY THAT INCREASE THE 5000 INCREASE. WHAT IS THE STARTING SALARY FOR A FIREFIGHTER THAT'S ALREADY GONE THROUGH THE ACADEMY, GONE THROUGH PROBATION? THERE'S SEVERAL FIREFIGHTERS IN THE AUDIENCE THAT COULD ANSWER THAT ANSWER REAL QUICK. WE'D ALSO. MAYOR. MAYOR. MAYOR. I KNOW SHE SAID THE 70. BUT WE ALSO LOOKED AT A HIGHER AMOUNT THAT I TALKED TO THE COUNCIL ABOUT TO JUST GET US STRAIGHT WITH LUBBOCK. AND SO I WOULD TELL YOU THAT I WOULD RECOMMEND A HIGHER AMOUNT THAT GETS US CLOSER TO THE LUBBOCK STARTING SALARY. IS THAT DOABLE IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET? IF WE START 1ST APRIL, THAT GIVES US A LITTLE BIT OF LEAD TIME TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT, AND ALSO TO SEND A STRONG MESSAGE NOT ONLY TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, BUT THE CITY, THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, AND ALSO TO LUBBOCK, QUITE FRANKLY. SO THAT WOULD START THAT SALARY STARTING SALARY AT THE 75000. AND THEN, OF COURSE, GO UP FROM THERE. SO THAT WOULD BE MY RECOMMENDATION. AND I KNOW SHE SAID 70, BUT I WOULD SAY I'M SORRY. OH NO, I'M SORRY. I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THAT BECAUSE I ALSO WANT TO LOOK AT A POLICY IN THE FUTURE WHERE MAYBE WE MATCH LUBBOCK. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO GO AHEAD AND MAYBE EVEN I WOULD LIKE TO ACT ON SOMETHING TODAY, BUT I DO WANT TO LOOK AT POTENTIALLY HAVING A POLICY WHERE WE MATCH LUBBOCK BECAUSE WE NEED TO STAY COMPETITIVE AND WE DON'T NEED TO LOSE FIREFIGHTERS. AND THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT, WHEN I MENTIONED ON THE SECOND AND THIRD YEAR PROGRAM, THAT WE COULD FOLLOW SUIT ON THAT FAIRLY QUICKLY TO PUT THAT IN FRONT OF COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION. WELL, THE CONCERN IS, IS NOT JUST THE PAY, THOUGH, FROM MY STANDPOINT, IT'S ALSO THE SHIFT CHANGES A THROUGH D IN LUBBOCK. I MEAN, THAT'S PRETTY APPEALING TO SOMEBODY. SO I THINK IF WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT, IF WE'RE GOING TO STAY AT A THROUGH C, WHICH WHAT I UNDERSTOOD THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WOULD LIKE, I DON'T KNOW IF WE IF MATCHING IS GOING TO BE ENOUGH OR NOT. I'M JUST WANTING TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION. I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION IN LIGHT OF WHAT LUBBOCK IS, BUT TO HAVE A POLICY WHERE IF THEY GO UP, WE AUTOMATICALLY DO TIES FUTURE COUNCILS TO SOMETHING THAT IS CONCERNING. TO ME. I THINK THIS HAS TO BE A CASE BY CASE. LOOK WITHIN OUR OWN BOUNDARIES HERE AND OUR BUDGET, OUR REVENUE, OUR DETAILS, THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE EMS SERVICE AND THE COUNTY, ALL THOSE THINGS. WE HAVE A DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCE HERE. SO YES, I WOULD LIKE TO TRY TO MATCH THEM, BUT TO SET A PRECEDENT IN THE FUTURE THAT WE'RE TIED TO THAT. I'M I'M UNCOMFORTABLE DOING THAT. AND THAT WOULD BE COUNCIL POLICY IN TERMS OF HOW TO WORK THAT. I WILL SAY, SPEAKING TO COUNCILMAN LADD'S POINT, PLANO HAS HAD THE 2472, I THINK I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG, BUT THEY HAVE IT IN PLACE, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY NORTH TEXAS CITIES HAVE FOLLOWED SUIT. TO YOUR POINT, EVERY EVERY BUDGET'S DIFFERENT. AND LUBBOCK'S FIRST ONE TO DO IT IN WEST TEXAS. IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THAT EVERYONE'S GOING TO FOLLOW SUIT, BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS TO BE CONSIDERED AND PUT IN FRONT OF MIND IN TERMS OF WHAT WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT FOR THE FACT THAT WE'RE COVERING THE COUNTY AND THE HOSPITAL EMS PORTION. I MEAN, WE'RE TAKING THAT OUT OF BASICALLY, WE'RE BALANCING THAT WITH OUR SALES TAX. THAT'S THAT'S THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT. WE'RE USING OUR AD VALOREM TAX, AND THEN WE HAVE TO BALANCE THE REMAINDER WITH OUR SALES TAX AND OTHER THINGS. AND IF YOU DON'T MIND, IF I MAY, IN OUR STRATEGY AND WHAT WE'VE PROPOSED AND POSITED TO THE COUNCIL WHEN WE'VE SHARED THE FIVE YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN AND FIVE YEAR FINANCIAL FORECAST, THOSE AREN'T JUST THROWAWAY PHRASES. IF YOU FOCUS ON THOSE TYPES OF THINGS THAT BRING IN MORE SALES TAX AND BRING IN MORE HOTEL MOTEL TAX, WE CAN'T USE HOTEL MOTEL TAX FOR THIS, BUT THEY'RE ONE IN THE SAME. IF YOU HAVE MORE SALES TAX, MORE HOTEL TAX, YOU PROBABLY HAVE MORE OF THE OTHER. AND SO WHEN WE DO THAT AND WE FOCUS ON THAT, I MEAN LIKE BILL PARK DOING MORE FIELDS, THE THE SYNDICATE AND HAVING MORE EVENTS AND ALL THOSE THINGS ARE, YOU KNOW, THOSE ARE NICE TO HAVE. BUT WHEN PEOPLE COME HERE, THE COSTCO PEOPLE COME HERE, THERE'S MORE DOLLARS THAT WE GET INTO OUR FUNDS. IT HELPS US TO DO WHAT YOU'RE JUST SAYING. SO SO THOSE ARE IMPORTANT [00:55:06] ASPECTS OF THE TOTAL OPERATIONS OF THE CITY. IT'S AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE'RE NOT A BUSINESS, BUT YOU HAVE TO OPERATE AS A BUSINESS IN ORDER TO TRY TO GET THESE REVENUES TO, TO DO WHAT THEY NEED TO SO THAT WE DON'T AND AREN'T DEPENDENT ON THE PROPERTY TAX. EVEN THOUGH THE DISCUSSION HAS BEEN HAD ABOUT PROPERTY TAX REDUCTIONS. YOU KNOW, THERE'S BEEN THE WHOLE THING WITH THE VALUES GO UP, YOU REALLY HAVEN'T REDUCED THE TAXES. WELL, THIS YEAR WE'RE NO NEW REVENUE BECAUSE THE VALUES WENT DOWN. SO WE WENT UP. I MEAN ONE CAN'T BE TRUE. AND THE OTHER I MEAN THEY'RE NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE. YOU KNOW THEY'RE TIED TO ONE ANOTHER. AND THE STATE FORCES US TO MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT HOW WE PRESENT THIS. BUT THE FACT IS LAST YEAR WE GOT X AMOUNT OF REVENUES. THIS YEAR WE MATCHED THOSE REVENUES. AND WHEN SHE TALKS ABOUT NEW GROWTH, IT'S LIKE 2 OR 3 HOUSES, YOU KNOW, 2 OR 3 BUSINESSES, HOWEVER MANY BUSINESSES THAT MAKE UP THE 2.4 MILLION, THAT'S LIKE SAYING WE'RE NOT GOING TO TAX THEM. THAT MAKES NO SENSE. EVERYBODY ELSE IS THE OTHER THING, TOO, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT FIRE DEPARTMENT IS WE'RE TAKING ON THE GROWTH OF THE COUNTY, NOT JUST THE GROWTH OF THE CITY, BUT WE DON'T GET INCREASED REVENUE FROM THOSE. SO ON THAT NOTE, I'M GLAD YOU SAID THAT BECAUSE WE NEED TO HAVE THIS DISCUSSION. WE'VE HAD THIS PUBLICLY. THE COUNCIL HAS HAD THIS PUBLICLY. WE TALKED ABOUT REVENUE STREAMS, NOT ONLY WHEN IT HAS TO DO WITH THE SPORTS COMPLEX AND RUNNING OUT OF FUNDS THERE, BECAUSE THE SALES TAX WENT AWAY. NOW THE HOSPITAL TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THAT. RIGHT. AND THAT'S THAT'S FINE. THAT'S ALREADY HAPPENED. BUT WE DON'T HAVE THAT AND THAT'S GOING TO RUN OUT. AND WHEN THAT RUNS OUT WHAT DO WE DO. WELL THAT'S THE REASON WHY WE DISCUSSED A TAX INCREMENT FINANCE ZONE. I KNOW PEOPLE DON'T LIKE THAT. BUT YOU HAVE TO DEDICATE SOME MONEY BECAUSE THAT'S GOING TO RUN OUT OF MONEY AND YOU HAVE TO MAINTAIN IT. WE'VE LOOKED AT OTHER OPTIONS. THERE'S TWO OTHER OPTIONS. I WON'T TALK ABOUT IT NOW, BUT THE COUNCIL IS AWARE THERE'S TWO OTHER OPTIONS THAT DON'T COST PEOPLE IN MIDLAND ANY MONEY. THOSE ARE DOLLARS THAT WOULD COME FROM OTHER PEOPLE AND OTHER OTHER FOLKS THAT VISIT. SO THAT'S A SEPARATE MATTER. BUT WITH REGARD TO WHAT YOU JUST MENTIONED WITH THE FIRE, THE EMERGENCY SERVICES DISTRICT THAT YOU'RE VERY WELL AWARE OF, THE COUNCIL IS WELL AWARE OF IS A DISTRICT THAT WOULD BE SET UP IN THAT COULD BE SET UP IN THE COUNTY, THAT COULD HELP PAY FOR THE SERVICES, SO THAT WE COULD GROW OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT TO INCLUDE KEEPING UP WITH THE COMPETITION AND MAKING SURE WE DON'T GET BEHIND, DEPENDING ON WHAT THOSE COUNTY RESIDENTS AND THE AND THE OIL COMPANIES WITH FACILITIES IN THE COUNTY, THEY PAY A PORTION OF THEIR TAXES TO HELP COVER THESE COSTS. THAT RIGHT NOW. THAT'S CORRECT. MIDLAND CITY RESIDENTS NEED TO BE AWARE THAT YOU ARE BEARING THE BURDEN AND SUBSIDIZING. YOU'RE SUBSIDIZING THOSE THAT LIVE IN THE COUNTY AND THE OIL AND GAS COMPANIES THAT HAVE TANK BATTERIES. SO CAN I ASK A QUESTION? YES, MA'AM, TO NICHOLAS. SO IS THE EMERGENCY DISTRICT. IS THAT THE ONLY WAY, OR COULD WE ACHIEVE THIS WITH SOME KIND OF INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE HOSPITAL IN THE COUNTY? MY MY CONCERN WITH GOING TO THE DISTRICT PIECE OF IT IS WE HAVE TO CREATE A WHOLE NOTHER ENTITY. WE HAVE MORE BUREAUCRACY THAT WAY. I WOULD MUCH RATHER SEE THE THE MIDLAND POLICE OR THE MIDLAND FIRE DEPARTMENT CONTINUE TO CARRY OUT OPERATIONS, BUT WE BE FUNDED ON THE LEVEL THAT WE SHOULD BE FROM THE COUNTY AND THE HOSPITAL AS WELL. CERTAINLY, I HESITATE TO SPEAK ON FUNDING MECHANISMS AND ALLOWABILITY WHEN IT COMES TO OTHER ENTITIES FUNDS, BUT CERTAINLY IN THE CONTEXT OF AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT THAT THE CITY CAN GET BACK SOME CONSIDERATION FOR THE SERVICES THAT IT DOES PROVIDE AND THAT DO THE COMMUNITY, AND NOT JUST THE CITY OF MIDLAND, PROVIDE VALUE THERE. YES. THE SIMPLE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION IS YES. OKAY. COUNCILWOMAN POLE, IT'S A REALLY GOOD QUESTION. AND I WOULD SAY THAT IF IF A DISTRICT WAS CREATED, YOU'RE RIGHT, IT WOULD TAKE LONGER. IT WOULD BE A VOTE. IT WOULD JUST BE A LABORIOUS PROCESS. BUT IF THAT WERE TO HAPPEN, WE WOULD STILL WE WOULD FUNCTION AS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PROVIDING THOSE SERVICES. SO WE WOULD ELIMINATE, ATTEMPT TO LIMIT. BUT YOU'RE RIGHT, THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE A BOARD THAT HAVE TO BE A CERTAIN PROCESS SET UP IN ORDER FOR THAT TO, TO HAPPEN. AND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THESE THINGS, ABOUT FINDING NEW REVENUE STREAMS, WHEN CHRISTIE STARTED THE PRESENTATION ABOUT COST RECOVERY AND JUST THESE DIFFERENT THINGS, THIS IS A BYPRODUCT OF THAT. SO IT'S JUST NOT WORDS. I MEAN, THEY REALLY MEAN SOMETHING AND THEY TURN INTO ACTION. THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG. WE DON'T EVEN HAVE A SAY IN WHETHER IT'S CREATED OR NOT. CORRECT. THAT'S CORRECT. IT'D BE IN THE COUNTY. SO IN MY NEXT QUESTION WOULD BE, IS IT DOES IT INCLUDE WHAT'S INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS OR IS ONLY OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS THAT THIS WOULD THIS WOULD BE EFFECTIVELY A NEW TAX? MY UNDERSTANDING WOULD BE IT WOULD BE OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS IN THAT DISTRICT ITSELF. THE EMERGENCY SERVICES DISTRICT WOULD BE IN THE DISTRICT THAT IT'S SET UP FOR IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES IN THAT ZONE. IS IT SOMETHING THAT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS GET TO HAVE A SAY IN, LIKE DRAW IT OUT, OR IS IT IS IT AUTOMATICALLY OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS? IT WOULD BE OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS. AS I UNDERSTAND IT. I'VE HAD CHUCK DO SOME RESEARCH ON IT. HE MAYBE COULD PROVIDE FURTHER CONTEXT, BUT I'VE READ THE MATERIAL AND IT WOULD BE OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD? IT'D BE OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS. AND AS FAR AS THE BOARD PIECE, WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO, THERE ARE TWO OTHER EMERGENCY DISTRICTS. I KNOW YOU'RE LOUD ENOUGH. YOU DON'T NEED IT, BUT THERE ARE TWO OTHER DISTRICTS IN THE STATE THAT ACTUALLY CONTRACT THE MUNICIPAL FIRE DEPARTMENT TO RUN THEIR ESD. SO BUT THERE STILL WOULD HAVE TO BE A BOARD [01:00:02] IN PLACE. IT DOES TAKE THE COUNTY HAS TO BE BROUGHT TO BY A COUNTY CITIZEN TO THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT TO THEN GO OUT FOR A VOTE FOR THEM TO VOTE ON IT, TO GET IT PASSED AT THAT POINT IN TIME. BUT AGAIN, AT THAT POINT IN TIME, THEY COULD CHOOSE TO CONTRACT THE CITY OF MIDLAND FIRE DEPARTMENT TO DO ALL THE SERVICES FOR THE COUNTY. AND I DO KNOW COMMISSIONER VELLA HAS HAD A LITTLE I'VE HAD ONE CONVERSATION WITH HIM. I KNOW HE IS FOR THAT POTENTIAL ESD IN THE COUNTY. AND I THINK JUST IN CONVERSATIONS WITH SEVERAL OF THEM, I THINK EVERYONE'S WILLING TO EXPLORE OPTIONS. I THINK WHAT WHAT COUNCILWOMAN POOLE HAS PROPOSED HERE IS SOMETHING THAT I'VE HAD SOME CONVERSATIONS WITH SOME OF THOSE MEMBERS AS WELL ON THE COURT TO SAY, HEY, WE CAN LOOK AT BOTH OF THESE. LET'S LOOK AT THE PROS AND CONS OF DOING AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT VERSUS DOING AN ESD. I THINK WE NEED TO WEIGH THOSE OUT. WE NEED TO HAVE SOME FURTHER CONVERSATIONS. WE ARE GETTING A LITTLE BIT FURTHER AWAY FROM OUR BUDGET CONVERSATION TODAY, BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE FULL CONTEXT OF WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE. FOR THIS REASON, I THINK THAT THERE'S SOME VALUE IN COMMITTING HERE AS A COUNCIL THAT WE WANT TO DO SOMETHING TO ADDRESS THIS, BUT LET'S GIVE IT I MEAN, LET'S GIVE IT ANOTHER COUPLE OF WEEKS AND BRING IT BACK INTO A FUTURE COUNCIL MEETING. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE REST OF COUNCIL'S APPETITE. THIS IS NOT US PUNTING AND SAYING WE'RE NOT HANDLING IT, BUT LET'S GET TO SOME RIGHT ANSWERS. LET'S HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME. RATHER THAN JUST HAVING STAFF WORKING THROUGH THE WEEKEND TO MAKE SOME PROPOSALS. BUT IF COUNCIL FEELS OTHERWISE, THEN LET'S LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT. MAYOR. THE SECOND READING OF THE BUDGET IS A WEEK FROM TODAY, MAYOR, BUT WE WOULD STILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME BACK AND EDIT OR AMEND, CORRECT? YES. YES YOU WOULD. SO WE WE WILL. THE BUDGET, JUST LIKE A BUDGET AMENDMENT, CAN BE ADOPTED AND THE TAX RATE CAN BE ADOPTED, THE TAX RATE WON'T BE CHANGED. WE WOULD HAVE TO MAKE THE AMENDED BUDGET. AND IF THAT'S NOT EVERYONE'S APPETITE THEN AND THEN I'M FINE WITH GOING AHEAD AND ADDRESSING THIS TODAY. I JUST DO FEEL LIKE WE ARE PUSHING ON SOMETHING THAT IS A VERY LARGE CONVERSATION, AND WE'RE TRYING TO GET TO AN ANSWER QUICKLY. AGREED, MAYOR, IF I MAY, FROM STAFF'S POINT, THE TEAM DID A GREAT JOB OVER THE WEEKEND, GATHERING INFORMATION I THINK THEY WERE IN CONTACT WITH WITH SOME OF YOU. BUT BUT WE I REALLY WOULD LIKE FOR US TO LOOK AT IT FROM A BIGGER PICTURE AS WELL. YEAH. SO THAT'S KIND OF WHERE I AM. ONE THING I THINK IS REALLY CRITICAL, THE WAY I LOOKED AT IT AND THE CONVERSATIONS AND WHERE I'M LANDING IS, I THINK LUBBOCK IS KIND OF THE IT'S A HORSE RACE, RIGHT? THEY'RE KIND OF IN THE LEAD RIGHT NOW, BUT WE ACTUALLY NEED TO START LOOKING KIND OF INTERNALLY TO WE HAVE A VERY YOUNG FIRE DEPARTMENT. AND THAT'S, THAT'S GOOD IN A LOT OF WAYS. BUT IT ALSO CAUSES SOME PROBLEMS IN A LOT OF WAYS. SO I REALLY THINK TO MAKE OUR, OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT BETTER, REALLY NEED TO FOCUS ON THESE YOUNGER CAREER INDIVIDUALS. SO THEN OUR LEADERSHIP CAN REALLY FOCUS ON WHAT THEY NEED TO FOCUS ON, WHICH IS THE STRATEGY, THE GROWTH, AND NOT JUST RECRUITING. SO I DO THINK WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING PRETTY QUICKLY. AND THAT'S WHERE I'M REALLY LEANING TOWARDS. I DO THINK WE NEED TO INCREASE THE STARTING PAY AND THEN DO SOMETHING FOR THE FIREFIGHTERS. AND AGAIN, THE $5,000 NUMBER WAS KIND OF JUST SOME QUICK MATH THAT WAS DONE. BUT AGAIN, I DON'T I'M NOT TIED TO THAT NUMBER. BUT I THINK IN ORDER TO FOCUS OR REFOCUS OUR DEPARTMENT ON WHAT WE NEED TO FOCUS ON, WHICH IS PROCESS IMPROVEMENT AND QUALITY AND SAFETY, WE GOT TO FIX THE RECRUITING PROBLEM AS SOON AS WE CAN, AND MAYBE THERE'S THE COMPROMISE. WE DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT TODAY, AND THEN WE HAVE THE MORE ROBUST CONVERSATION GOING FORWARD. THAT'S THAT'S WHAT I THINK IS, IS REALLY IMPORTANT. AND WE'VE GOT TO FIND A WAY TO KIND OF STEER THE SHIP. SO WE'RE NOT JUST FOCUSED ON RECRUITING AND DOING WHAT OUR LEADERSHIP NEEDS TO BE DOING. I THINK TOMMY HAD SAID THAT THE 75000 STARTING PAY IS DOABLE. YES, MA'AM. AND I WOULD PREFER TO SEE US MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT TODAY. AND THE REST OF IT CAN BE A LONGER CONVERSATION. I THINK IT'S SMART TO HAVE A LONGER CONVERSATION. I THINK ANYTHING THAT YOU HAVE TO RUSH IS, IS NOT REALLY WORTH IT. I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF NUANCE TO THE CONVERSATION. I THINK WE DIDN'T EVEN ADDRESS THE BURN BUILDING THAT WE DESPERATELY NEED. AND SO I THINK THAT HAS TO BECOME A PART OF THE EQUATION. BUT I THINK TACKLING THE STARTING PAY IS, IS GENERALLY SOMETHING WE CAN DO. AND I AGREE WITH THAT. I THINK THAT'S A GOOD FIRST STEP. I'M VERY WORRIED ABOUT SALARY COMPRESSION. AND AGAIN, I THINK THAT'S THAT'S A HARDER PROBLEM. AND I THINK THAT DOES TAKE A LOT MORE KIND OF DISCUSSION AND THINKING ABOUT HOW WE FIX SALARY COMPRESSION TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY'S KIND OF BEING PAID EQUITABLY. LET ME ASK THIS. I MEAN, I'M, I'M PERFECTLY FINE WITH DOING THAT TODAY AS WELL. HOWEVER, I WOULD LIKE A MORE AT LARGE 500 ZERO FEET COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. AND I DON'T KNOW IF SALARY INCREASES. I DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY FALL INTO THAT PLAN AND WHERE WE BALANCE THAT WITH THE OTHER THINGS WE NEED. THE THE CONCERN I HAVE IS IF WE DO IF WE DO 75 TODAY, ARE WE GOING TO WHAT IF [01:05:01] THE PLAN TELLS US, OH, WELL, WE REALLY SHOULD BE DOING 82 OR WHATEVER. ARE WE WILLING TO COME BACK AND ADDRESS THAT AGAIN, EVEN IF IT IS, I THINK THAT I THINK WE'RE SAYING, YES, WE ARE OUR I AM, I AM, YEAH, REAL QUICKLY, JUST SO I CAN HELP. SOMEBODY ASKED THE QUESTION A WHILE AGO. SO OCTOBER 1ST, LUBBOCK ENTRY PAY WITH THEIR 3% RAISE WILL BE 71,005 80. AND IF WE GO TO THE THE 74,000, THE THAT NUMBER WITH US, THAT MEANS A MIDLAND FIREFIGHTER WOULD MAX OUT AT YEAR TEN. WE ALREADY MAKE MORE AT MAX THAN LUBBOCK, SO WE GET THERE FASTER. EVEN. SO, THAT'S THE OTHER ADVANTAGE THAT WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY AS FAR AS AFFECTING THAT BEGINNER PAY, IS THE GUY WOULD GET THEM INSTEAD OF TAKING RIGHT NOW 14 YEARS TO MAX OUT. IF WE MADE THIS ADJUSTMENT, HE WOULD MAX OUT NOW AT TEN YEARS. SO AND TO, TO CLARIFY WITH THESE ADJUSTMENTS TO GO UP TO THE MIC. OH, SORRY. I'M ALLOWED TO TO CLARIFY AS FAR AS THE COMPRESSION PIECE OF IT GOES, TO BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE THIS 70 OR $75 MARK, WE ARE ELIMINATING LOWER LEVELS. SO THE COMPRESSION IS NOT GOING TO COMPOUND ON IT JUST BECAUSE WE'RE BUMPING THAT LOWER UP. WE'RE JUST REMOVING LOWER STEPS TO ALLOW US TO START AT THAT 75. AND THEN THOSE DIFFERENCES ARE GOING TO CONTINUE UP THE CHAIN. SO THERE'S NOT SO MUCH OF AN ISSUE WITH THAT COMPRESSION. WE'RE JUST LIMITING LOWER LEVELS. OKAY. THAT'S WHAT THEY DID THIS WEEKEND. AND WE'RE VERY INNOVATIVE IN THAT BY REMOVING THOSE STEPS ON THE FRONT END, IT ATTACKED THE COMPRESSION ISSUE SO THAT THAT WOULDN'T BECOME AN ISSUE. CHRISTINE, CAN YOU TELL US WE'VE TALKED ABOUT WE'RE WE'RE NOT GOING TO COME OUT OF FUND BALANCE FOR THIS. WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS WITH CUTS IN OTHER PLACES. CAN YOU TALK TO US A LITTLE? YOU AND I HAVE HAD SOME CONVERSATION, BUT FOR THE ROOM. SURE. AND I DON'T KNOW HOW THERE'S THERE'S FOUR DIFFERENT AREAS THAT WE'VE LOOKED AT. ONE IS ITSD WE FOUND AROUND $500,000 IN CUTS. IN ADDITION TO THAT RECENTLY JUST FOUND ANOTHER 250 I SHOULD SAY. WHEN SHE SAYS FIND I MEAN THESE ARE WE WILLING TO CUT. NOT THAT THERE WAS ADDITIONAL DOLLARS. NO, I'M NOT TRYING TO CORRECT YOU. RIGHT. BUT BUT I KNOW SHE STRUGGLED HER. AND THESE ARE THINGS THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO NEXT YEAR THAT WE HAD PLANNED TO DO. USUALLY WHEN I ASK THEM FOR SOMETHING, THEY GET IT BACK PRETTY QUICK. THIS ONE TOOK THEM A COUPLE OF DAYS BEFORE THEY RESPONDED TO ME. WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT CERTAIN FACILITIES MAINTENANCE DEFERRALS AS WELL AS EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT DEFERRALS. ONCE AGAIN, THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WE'VE DETERMINED THAT ARE NEEDED TO EITHER EITHER MAINTENANCE OR OR EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENTS THAT WE WOULD DEFER. SO THAT'S ANOTHER AREA. AND THEN OUR OUR LAST ITEM IS WE WE CAN MAKE A TEMPORARY USE OF SOME OF THE FIRE VACANCIES, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY A TEMPORARY. THAT'S MORE MORE BELTS AND SUSPENDERS. AND REALLY, YOU'RE ROBBING PETER TO PAY PAUL THERE. YOU'RE USING MONEY THAT, YOU KNOW, IF YOU HAVE A FULL. YOU DON'T HAVE THAT MONEY. SO OUR GOAL IS STILL TO FULLY STAFF. THAT'S CORRECT. WE HOPE THAT THAT ONE IS NOT AVAILABLE. WHEN YOU GET THROUGH THE ACADEMY, THEN THAT NUMBER SHRINKS BECAUSE THEN THEY BECOME FIREFIGHTERS. AND SO OKAY, WELL, SO WE HAVE THESE THINGS IN FRONT OF US TO GO TO THE INCREASED COMPENSATION STRUCTURE. WITH THESE CUTS CONSIDERED, AND CHRISTI CAN GIVE MORE DETAIL TO ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT WANT THAT OR COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT WANT THAT AFTER WE'RE DONE WITH THIS CONVERSATION. BUT SHE'S TOLD US WHERE THAT WILL COME FROM. WE HAVE THE REST OF THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH OUR PREVIOUS BUDGET HEARING THAT'S AVAILABLE ONLINE FOR PEOPLE TO VIEW, AND THAT THAT PACKET IS ALSO AVAILABLE. SO THE CONSIDERATION HERE IS WHAT WE HAVE IN FRONT OF US. WE DO HAVE SOME REQUESTS TO SPEAK, BUT I WANTED TO ALLOW ANY FURTHER DIALOG FROM COUNCIL BEFORE WE OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING PORTION. I MEAN, I WAS ABLE TO TAKE SOME NOTES WHILE WE WERE KIND OF HAVING DISCUSSION IN REGARD TO OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND CITY EMPLOYEES. I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF STAYING COMPETITIVE. I THINK COUNCILMEMBER MADE A REALLY GOOD POINT ABOUT KIND OF THE OVERALL OVERARCHING CONVERSATION. BUT, YOU KNOW, OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND OUR CITY EMPLOYEES, THEY WORK REALLY HARD AND WE NEED THEM TO BE THEIR BEST. AND WE, WE WANT TO REDUCE TURNOVER. SO WE TALKED ABOUT LUBBOCK BEING VERY IMPORTANT. I THINK THAT'S KIND OF THEIR SETTING THE BENCHMARK RIGHT NOW. AND I ALSO, I'D LIKE TO TO I WANT TO TAKE ACTION TODAY ON SOMETHING I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT WITH THE 75,000. BUT I DON'T ONLY WANT TO FOCUS ON THE 0 TO 5. I WANT TO FOCUS ON EVERY SINGLE GROUP BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE RETAINING THEM AT ALL DIFFERENT LEVELS. AND SO I ALSO WANT TO COME BACK BEFORE NEXT VOTE AND HAVE THE 2 TO 3 YEAR PLAN, BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO KIND OF KNOW WHAT WE'RE WANTING TO DO. SO THAT'S MY TAKE ON IT. ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS THOUGHTS ON THIS? AND WE CAN HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSIONS ABOUT OTHER THINGS THAT CAN BE CUT OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS. CORRECT. ONE WEEK. SO NEXT ONE WEEK. OKAY. [01:10:01] OKAY. BUT BACK TO WHAT WE NICHOLAS HAS ALREADY EXPLAINED. WE CAN WE CAN COME BACK AND AMEND THE BUDGET MORE SIGNIFICANTLY, YOU KNOW, OR AT A FUTURE DATE. SO IF WE ADOPT THIS TODAY WITH THE CHANGES THAT WE'RE PROPOSING HERE, THEN WE CAN COME BACK AND MAKE ADDITIONAL CHANGES. EVEN, YOU KNOW, LET'S SAY IN NOVEMBER, WE LEARN MORE INFORMATION THAT WE NEED TO CONSIDER THAT'S STILL AVAILABLE TO US. AND IT WOULD TAKE AN ACT OF COUNCIL THAT CANNOT BE DONE ADMINISTRATIVELY. IT WOULD TAKE AN ACT OF THE COUNCIL. WELL, GIVEN THE LIGHT OF THE NEW CONVERSATION, I DON'T WANT US TO GET IN THE WEEDS, BUT IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SOLUTIONS TODAY, PART OF ME WANTS TO REVISIT ITEM NUMBER SEVEN AND ADDRESS WHETHER DO WE NEED THOSE SIGNS TODAY? THAT COULD BE $500,000 THAT WE COULD. THOSE ARE FROM HOTEL, MOTEL, HOTEL MOTEL. THAT'S RIGHT. YEAH. AND THEN WE THOSE OTHER GROUPS THAT DONATED WAS FOR THE. YEAH. GOTCHA. OKAY. WELL, WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND OPEN THE FLOOR FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING. SO THE PUBLIC HEARING IS OPEN. AND I'D LIKE TO FIRST CALL RUTH MEYER TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. WELCOME. THANK YOU FOR HEARING ME TODAY. I ACTUALLY MAY I CLARIFY SOMETHING BEFORE I SAY SOMETHING? OKAY. A COUPLE SLIDES AGO, IT SHOWED A LITTLE CHART THAT SAID, LIKE THE 2026 VERSUS 2027 BUDGET. AND THEN IT ALSO HAD NEW CONSTRUCTION. AND WE GO BACK TO THAT, PLEASE. THERE WAS ONE, I THINK IT WAS BEFORE. YES. OKAY. SO IS THAT THE DIFFERENCE IN TAX RATE THAT WE'RE SEEING, THAT THE 34 VERSUS 38 IS ONLY BECAUSE OF THE REVENUE FROM NEW CONSTRUCTION? IS THAT CORRECT? NO, MA'AM. SO THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE IS WHAT IT TAKES FOR US TO GET $65.2 MILLION, THE ORIGINAL NUMBER THAT WE WERE GIVEN LAST YEAR. SO THE AVERAGE HOME VALUE WENT DOWN. OKAY. FOR US TO KEEP THE SAME REVENUE, WE HAD TO INCREASE THE TAX RATE. OKAY. SO THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS WHETHER OR NOT WE DO INCREASE THE TAX RATE. IS THAT TO A NO NEW REVENUE FROM THE 34 TO THE 38, CORRECT? YES, MA'AM. OKAY. I'M A FAIRLY NEW RESIDENT, SO I'M STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE'RE DOING. OKAY. SO MY ONLY ARGUMENT HERE WOULD BE I FEEL LIKE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO BE INCREASED SHOULD HAVE A SAY IN THAT. AND I DON'T LIKE JUST HAVING THIS SORT OF SLID IN LIKE, OH, HERE WE ARE. ALL OF A SUDDEN YOUR TAX RATE IS GOING TO INCREASE WITHOUT THE PEOPLE REALLY GETTING A SAY OR EVEN VOTING ON WHAT THAT IS. AND SO I WOULD, I WOULD PREFER THAT THIS WOULD BE MORE OF A PUBLIC DISCUSSION. AND I REALIZE WITH THE BUDGET COMING UP IN A WEEK, THAT'S PROBABLY NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. BUT THIS IS PART OF WHY A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T TRUST GOVERNMENT IS BECAUSE THERE'S LIKE THESE LITTLE HIDDEN THINGS THAT KIND OF SLIDE IN JUST BELOW THE RATE TO ACTUALLY HAVE TO VOTE ON IT. AND IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR US AS CITIZENS TO REALLY KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON BEHIND CLOSED DOORS UNLESS WE TAKE TIME OFF WORK. AND WE COME TO A 10:00 MEETING ON A TUESDAY MORNING, YOU KNOW, OR WHATEVER IT IS. SO I WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE THAT THIS BE MORE OF A PUBLIC DISCUSSION. AND LIKE I SAID, I'M A FAIRLY NEW RESIDENT. I'VE ONLY BEEN HERE THREE MONTHS, SO THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN MORE OF THAT THAN I'M AWARE OF. BUT THIS BEING MY FIRST COUNCIL MEETING, I'M STILL LEARNING THE ROPES AND I WOULD JUST REALLY APPRECIATE A LITTLE BIT MORE TRANSPARENCY FROM THE VOTERS. WE APPRECIATE THAT. AND I WILL SAY WE HAVE PUBLIC MEETINGS THAT WE'VE HELD PRIOR TO THIS, WHERE WE'VE HAD THE PUBLIC CONVERSATIONS, AND THOSE ARE AVAILABLE. THEY'RE POSTED ON OUR WEBSITE. SO WE'D LOVE FOR YOU TO GO IN, AND YOU CAN WATCH THE ENTIRETY OF THAT CONVERSATION AS WELL. ALL RIGHT. WE ALSO HAVE LANCE WINKLER. WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT AT THIS TIME? OKAY. DEREK SMITH, WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME FORWARD TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT AT THIS TIME? YES. OKAY. THIS PAPER HERE IS FROM WEDNESDAY, AUGUST THE 26TH, 2009. AND THAT COUNCIL FOUND $5.5 MILLION IN BUDGET CUTS. AND WITH OUR PROPERTY TAX RATES, OUR OUR APPRAISALS FALLING, WHAT'S ESSENTIALLY GOING ON IS LIKE AN OVERPAYMENT TO AN EMPLOYEE. SO IMAGINE AN EMPLOYEE IS PAID $30 AN HOUR AND NORMALLY TAKES HOME $1,200 PER PAY PERIOD. THE COMPANY ACCIDENTALLY OVERPAYS THE EMPLOYEE $200. INSTEAD OF SIMPLY REDUCING THE EMPLOYEES FUTURE PAY TO RECOVER THE 200, THE EMPLOYEE SAYS, I'LL INCREASE MY HOURLY RATE SO THE COMPANY CAN RECOUP THE $200, BUT I'LL STRUCTURE IT SO THAT MY TOTAL TAKE HOME PAY REMAINS EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS BEFORE. THAT'S WHAT Y'ALL ARE DOING. SO THE EMPLOYEE'S PAY RATE GOES UP, THE COMPANY GETS THE $200 OVERPAYMENT BACK, AND THE EMPLOYEE CONTINUES TAKING HOME THE SAME $1,200. THAT IS ESSENTIALLY THE ARGUMENT BEING MADE WHEN PROPERTY VALUES FALL. BUT A LOCAL GOVERNMENT RAISES THE TAX RATE ENOUGH TO COLLECT THE SAME AMOUNT OF REVENUE. FOR EXAMPLE, SUPPOSE A PROPERTY WAS WORTH $300,000 AND THE TAX RATE WAS 1%, PRODUCING 3000 IN [01:15:04] PROPERTY TAXES. IF THE PROPERTY'S VALUE FALLS TO $250,000, A 1% TAX RATE WOULD PRODUCE ONLY $2,500. BUT IF THE GOVERNMENT RAISES THE TAX RATE TO 1.2, THE $250,000 PROPERTY NOW PRODUCES $3,000 IN TAXES. AGAIN, THE PROPERTY'S VALUE WENT DOWN. THE TAX RATE WENT UP ENOUGH TO KEEP THE GOVERNMENT'S REVENUE AT THE SAME LEVEL. IN SIMPLE TERMS, PROPERTY VALUE GOES DOWN, TAX RATE GOES UP, GOVERNMENT REVENUE STAYS THE SAME. IT'S COMPARABLE TO AN EMPLOYEE'S ORIGINAL PAY. THE OVERPAYMENT OCCURS. HOURLY RATE GOES UP. TO RECOVER THE OVERPAYMENT. EMPLOYEES TAKE HOME PAY STAYS EXACTLY THE SAME. THE IMPORTANT DISTINCTION IS THAT THE PROPERTY TAX EXAMPLE ISN'T LITERALLY AN OVERPAYMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. TO THE TAXPAYER, THE ANALOGY IS ABOUT THE MECHANISM OF OFFSETTING A REDUCTION IN THE UNDERLYING BASE BY INCREASING THE RATE APPLIED TO THAT BASE, SO THE AMOUNT COLLECTED REMAINS UNCHANGED. AND I WOULD LIKE, I REALLY WISH Y'ALL WOULD GIVE US MORE THAN JUST THREE MINUTES, BECAUSE SOME OF THIS EXTRA REVENUE STREAMS THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT, I CAN EXPLAIN IT TO YOU AND I WILL ATTEMPT TO DO THAT DURING PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION, BECAUSE WHEN WE HAVE ONE ACRE OF LAND, IF IT'S VALUED AT $200,000 AND WE PUT TEN NEW HOMES WITH A MEDIAN PRICE VALUE OF 300,000 ON IT, WE HAVE RAISED THE VALUE OF THAT SAME ACRE OF LAND. THE APPRAISAL IS NOW 1,400% MORE, AND THAT IS HAPPENING AT AN EXPONENTIALLY INCREASING RATE AS DEVELOPMENT GOES ON. SO WHERE IS ALL THIS ADDITIONAL REVENUE FROM THE NOW 2.8 MILLION GOING? AND THEN WHEN YOU HAVE COMMERCIAL PROJECTS THAT RAISE, SAY, FIVE ACRES FROM $1 MILLION AT 200,000 PER ACRE UP TO AND THAT'S 1 MILLION UP TO $80 MILLION FOR ONE COMMERCIAL PROJECT. THAT'S A 7,900% INCREASE IN THE APPRAISED VALUE OF THAT ONE ACRE OF LAND, OR THOSE FIVE ACRES. TOMMY, JUST TO ADDRESS THAT, IN ORDER TO GET US TO THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE, WHICH IS WHAT'S BEING PROPOSED TODAY, I BELIEVE WE MADE MORE THAN $5 MILLION IN CUTS. IS THAT ACCURATE? WHEN WE STARTED THE BUDGET PROCESS, WE DID MAKE A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF CUTS THAT COUNCIL SEES IN TERMS OF WHAT DID NOT GET FUNDED, THE NO NEW REVENUE THAT'S BEEN DISCUSSED IS ACTUALLY THE GOLD STANDARD. YOU WANT TO GET TO THE NO NEW REVENUE. IF YOU SAY YOU'RE NOT GOING TO INCREASE TAXES. I THINK WHAT'S DIFFERENT THIS YEAR IS THAT THE VALUES WERE DECREASED DRAMATICALLY THROUGHOUT MIDLAND. SO A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO SAW A DECREASE, EVEN WITH THIS PROPERTY TAX RATE INCREASE, WILL STILL SEE A DECREASE IF THEIR IF THEIR HOMES WERE DEVALUED SIGNIFICANTLY ENOUGH TO CONTINUE TO SEE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE SAW AN INCREASE. AND SO THIS IS ON TOP OF THAT INCREASE. BUT THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WAS GENERATED LAST YEAR, WITH LAST YEAR'S TAX RATE AT 34.7, WAS 65.2 THIS YEAR, IN ORDER TO GET THE SAME AMOUNT OF REVENUE OF 65.2 IS 38.3 CENTS, AND THE MIDLAND COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT. CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, THE LAST YEAR OR SO RADICALLY CHANGED THEIR CALCULATIONS. THIS YEAR THEY DID, AND I DON'T BELIEVE AND I THINK CHRISTY CAN SPEAK TO THIS, BUT IN THE LAST 20 OR 30 YEARS THERE, MAYBE I'M MAYBE MAYBE I'M ADDING YEARS. BUT I KNOW SHE LOOKED BACK AND I KNOW THERE WAS OVER A DECADE AT LEAST, THAT THERE HAD NOT BEEN A DECREASE IN THE VALUES IN MIDLAND, TEXAS. I THINK IT GOES FURTHER THAN THAT. I MEAN, EVEN IF THEY WOULD HAVE JUST MAINTAINED IT AT WHAT THEY HAD, AND WE WOULD HAVE GENERATED 65.2, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO 5 MILLION TO MAKE UP. I'LL SAY THIS AGAIN BECAUSE I SAID IT BEFORE. AND THESE THESE ARE NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE. AS I SAID, THE LAST THREE YEARS, COUNCIL ACTUALLY REDUCED THE PROPERTY TAX RATE AND PEOPLE'S ARGUMENT, WHICH THEY'RE NOT WRONG. IF THEIR VALUE WENT UP, THEN THEY DIDN'T SEE A DECREASE EVEN THOUGH THE COUNCIL DECREASED IT. IF IF IT STAYED THE SAME, THEN THEY'D SEE A DECREASE IF IT WENT UP. OBVIOUSLY THEY DON'T SEE ONE BECAUSE THE VALUES ARE WHAT THEY ARE. THAT'S THE BYPRODUCT OF LIVING IN MIDLAND, TEXAS. THE VALUES ARE HIGH. THIS YEAR THEY WENT DOWN DRAMATICALLY AND IT IS IMPACTING THE TAX RATE. I WILL SAY THAT IN YEARS PAST, THE TAX RATE HAS BEEN A LOT HIGHER THAN 34.7. IT'S BEEN A LOT HIGHER THAN 38.3. AND SO WE HAVE WE'VE SHOWN YOU THAT THAT GRAPHIC WHERE WE'VE WE'VE STEADILY GONE DOWN ON THAT. AND WHAT WE'VE WORKED ON IS COST RECOVERY. WE'VE WORKED ON SALES TAX INCREASES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. AND THAT HAS WORKED. I THINK THAT WE WERE THIS WAS A BIT OF A CURVE TO SEE THE VALUES GO DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY, BECAUSE AGAIN, IT'S MIDDLE IN TEXAS AND YOU SCRATCH YOUR HEAD. WHY WOULD WE REDUCE IT SO MUCH FROM A VALUE STANDPOINT? BECAUSE OUR VALUES AREN'T NECESSARILY GOING DOWN. YOU KNOW, THE INFLATION IS NOT GOING DOWN. AND SO THAT THAT [01:20:01] WAS KIND OF A HEAD SCRATCHER. I ALSO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO IDENTIFY THAT I'M GOING TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING, BECAUSE WE HAVE NO FURTHER REQUESTS TO SPEAK. THANK YOU. EACH OF EACH PERSON WHO OWNS PROPERTY IS EXPERIENCING THIS DISTINCTLY. SO WE RECOGNIZE THAT THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE SITTING IN THIS ROOM AND CERTAINLY ACROSS MIDLAND, WHOSE PROPERTY VALUATIONS WENT UP THIS YEAR OR WHOSE PROPERTY VALUATIONS WENT DOWN IN PREVIOUS YEARS. SO WHAT WE ARE BASING WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE THE VALUES WENT UP OR THEY WENT DOWN, WE LOOK AT IT FROM THE TOTAL NUMBER THAT IS PROVIDED TO US FROM THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT FOR THE AMOUNT OF REVENUE THAT THEY PROJECT FOR THE CITY OF MIDLAND. THE THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT GETS THEIR OWN NUMBER LIKE THAT. THE THE COLLEGE AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE COUNTY. EACH TAXING ENTITY GETS A NUMBER LIKE THAT FROM THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT. AND WE HAVE TO BUILD A BUDGET BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF REVENUE THAT THEY PROJECT FOR US, THEIR PROJECTIONS, THEIR PREDICTIONS. THEY ARE NOT THE REAL COLLECTIONS. AND SO WHEN WE WHEN WE HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS, I CAN SEE IN PEOPLE'S FACES FRUSTRATION, LIKE, HEY, MINE WENT UP OR MINE WENT DOWN. AND WE RECOGNIZE THAT EACH PERSON EXPERIENCES THESE THINGS DISTINCTLY. AND WE'RE NOT MAKING LIGHT OF THAT. WE DON'T DIMINISH THAT. WE RECOGNIZE THAT, BUT WE STILL HAVE TO MAKE BUDGET PROJECTIONS FOR THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, FOR THE SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE, AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE CARING WELL FOR THE FACILITIES AND THE MAINTENANCE AND THE PERSONNEL AND ALL THE OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF THE CITY COUNCIL. SO I JUST WANTED TO WE KNOW THAT YOU, YOU PERSONALLY MAY HAVE BEEN IMPACTED DIFFERENTLY THAN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE, AND WE'RE SORRY FOR THAT. AND TODAY'S CONVERSATION THAT THE COUNCIL HAD IS A BYPRODUCT OF YOUR LIST OF PRIORITIES. YOU SAY YOUR PRIORITIES ARE PUBLIC SAFETY. WE'RE GOING TO MAKE CUTS IN OTHER AREAS, AND WE DON'T SAY THAT BEGRUDGINGLY. WE'RE JUST WELL, THAT'S JUST A MATTER OF FACT THAT WE'RE GOING TO MAKE CUTS IN OTHER AREAS IN ORDER TO MEET THAT DEMAND. AND THE DEMAND IS IN THAT ORDER PUBLIC SAFETY, ROADS, WATER AND PARK MAINTENANCE. IT'S IN THAT ORDER. YEP. OKAY. OTHER QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS OR COMMENTS FROM STAFF. DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING, KRISTIE? JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS. ONE, THE FULL BUDGET PROPOSED BUDGET HAS BEEN PLACED ONLINE AND PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PAPER. ALL OF THAT'S BEEN SINCE AUGUST THE 12TH. BASED ON WHAT'S REQUIRED FOR US TO DO. THE ONLY OTHER THING I WAS GOING TO SHOW IS IN, IN THE THIS VERY LONG THING, WE ARE REQUIRED NOW, STARTING LAST YEAR BY THE STATE TO PUT OUT WHAT IS LAST YEAR, WHAT THE AVERAGE OR AVERAGE OR MEDIAN COST WAS. TAX COST WAS FOR THE MEDIAN HOME AS COMPARED TO THIS YEAR'S MEDIAN HOME AND WHAT THOSE TAX RATES WERE. SO LAST YEAR, THE MEDIAN TAX RATE WAS 9.45. THIS YEAR IT'S 8.78. THERE AGAIN, MANY PEOPLE SAW HIGHER. MANY PEOPLE SAW LOWER. THERE'S GOING TO BE MANY PEOPLE EXPERIENCE A LOWER TAX BILL THIS YEAR BASED ON THEIR VALUATIONS DECREASING EVEN WITH A HIGHER RATE. SO IT'S I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF THE TRANSPARENCY ITEMS WERE THERE AND THAT YOU ALL REALIZE THAT WE ARE REQUIRED TO PUT THAT DATA OUT THERE. I THINK SAID DIFFERENTLY, THE VALUES ARE WHAT DRIVES THE TAX RATE. I THINK I WOULD JUST SAY IT'S A VERY LARGE BLENDED AVERAGE. AND SO SOME HOUSES WENT UP, SOME HOUSES WENT DOWN, SOME PEOPLE'S TAX RATE, EVEN WITH THE INCREASED TAX RATE IS STILL GOING TO BE LESS. AND SOME IS GOING TO BE MORE. AND WE HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THAT BECAUSE THAT'S THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT. WHAT WE'RE WORKING OFF IS REALLY THE AVERAGE. AND THEN HOW WE BALANCE OUR BUDGET WITH THAT AVERAGE MAYOR. TO BE CLEAR, THE MCAT IS A BYPRODUCT OF THE STATE. THE CITY HAS NO CONNECTIONS TO THAT AT ALL. WE DO NOMINATE A PERSON TO SIT ON THEIR ADVISORY BOARD, JUST AS THE COUNTY DOES ONE PERSON. YES. I THINK, NICOLE, THESE ARE FOR YOU. I DO WANT TO TAKE ACTION. SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE WE KIND OF HAVE THE NUMBERS ON THE TABLE, I GUESS. SO IF WE DID THE 5000 EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1ST, WHAT IMPACT WOULD THAT HAVE? JANUARY 1ST OR APRIL 1ST WAS APRIL 1ST. APRIL APRIL 1ST IS WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING. THE 75,000 WITH THE ADDITIONAL TO THE DRIVER CERTIFICATION, BUMPING IT TO THE 1000 PER MONTH. IF YOU IMPLEMENT BOTH OF THOSE IN APRIL THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT $564,348, THAT'S 1.1 MILLION FOR THE YEAR, RIGHT? SO IT SAID DIFFERENTLY, AND THAT'S THE REASON WHY I WANT APRIL IS WHAT SHE'S STATING, BECAUSE THEN THAT MAKES IT TO WHERE WE CAN HAVE SOME TIME TO PLAN THAT OUT FOR THE NEXT YEAR, EVEN THOUGH WE WILL DO IT IN THIS FISCAL YEAR BUDGET STARTING 1ST APRIL. CAN YOU EMAIL THAT TO US? ABSOLUTELY. WHEN WE'RE DONE HERE. AND JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, THAT'S ON ADDITION ADDITIONAL TO WHAT WE'VE ALREADY GOT BUDGETED FOR THE CURRENT CHANGES. AND THEN HOW MANY SALARY GRADES WOULD WE BE REDUCING? HOW MANY SALARY GRADES WOULD WE BE TAKING AWAY FOR THAT ONE, WE'RE ELIMINATING THE FIRST FOUR STEPS. FOUR [01:25:01] STEPS. OKAY. AND SOMETHING THAT WE'VE PROPOSED, THIS IS THAT LONG TERM THING THAT WE DON'T WANT TO SAY, THIS IS WHAT WE'RE DOING, BUT WE CAN LOOK AT ADDING THOSE STEPS ON THE HIGHER END SO THAT YOU STILL HAVE THOSE ADDITIONAL AREAS. THOSE ARE SOME OF THOSE THINGS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT AT THAT YEAR. TWO AND THREE OPTIONS. BUT PLEASE, ANYONE LISTENING, DON'T TAKE THAT TO THE BANK BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T EVEN STARTED VETTING THE PROCESS FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD YEAR. NO, BUT THAT CAN THAT TELLS YOU WE'VE ALREADY BEEN LOOKING AT THE SECOND AND THIRD YEAR. THAT'S PART OF THE ONGOING CONVERSATION THAT WE. CORRECT? YES, MA'AM. AND THAT'S PART OF WHAT WE STARTED LOOKING AT AS WELL, SO THAT WE WOULD BE PREPARED IF COUNCIL SO CHOSE TO ASK THOSE QUESTIONS. YEAH. WELL, AND BEFORE BEFORE WE CLOSE, I JUST WANTED TO COMMEND STAFF. I MEAN, WE LITERALLY HAD THE FIRE LIT UNDER US LAST WEEK, PUN INTENDED. AND Y'ALL REALLY JUMPED IN AND, AND GOT TO WORK. AND SO I KNOW IT WAS A HOLIDAY WEEKEND AND THAT WAS A LOT OF EXTRA HOURS. WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT MORE THAN, YOU KNOW, TURNING ON A DIME. VERY COMMENDABLE. THANK YOU ALL. YES, SIR. I JUST WANT TO SAY I DO SUPPORT THAT. I DO, THOUGH, I'M GOING TO REITERATE AGAIN, I WANT TO LOOK AT ALL THE PERSONNEL WITH THAT AS WELL. AND SO I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT COUNCIL'S WANTING TO KIND OF COMMIT TO FOR THE NEXT VOTE. AND I DON'T WANT TO VOTE NO AGAINST THE BUDGET BECAUSE I DO. BUT I DO BELIEVE WE NEED TO LOOK AT ALL THE PERSONNEL IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AS WELL. SO I THINK I HAVE A MOTION, NICHOLAS. YOU CAN GRADE ME LATER. OH, YOU SHOULD CAN I READ IT REAL QUICK AND MAKE SURE IT'S CLOSE TO WHAT I HAVE? IS THIS GOING TO BE AN AMENDMENT? YES. I MEAN, I'M JUST GOING TO ADD TO COME BACK WITH THE THREE YEAR PLAN. IS THAT FAIR? OKAY. I THINK THIS IS CLOSE TO WHAT I HAD. OKAY. SO I MOVE TO APPROVE THE THE ORDINANCE SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING BUDGET AMENDMENTS. ESTABLISHING A STARTING FIREFIGHTER SALARY OF $75,000. BY ELIMINATING THE FIRST FOUR STEPS OF THE FIRE FIRE PAY PLAN, INCLUSIVE OF A 2% ADJUSTMENT ALREADY INCLUDED IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET TO BE EFFECTIVE ON APRIL 1ST, 2027. AND NUMBER TWO, INCREASING FIRE DEPARTMENT CERTIFICATION PAY TO $1,000 PER MONTH TO BE EFFECTIVE ON APRIL 1ST, 2027, AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO PROPOSE AMENDMENTS MAKING CUTS TO THE BUDGET TO FUND THOSE INCREASES AT THE SECOND READING OF THE BUDGET ORDINANCE AND ALSO AT THE SECOND READING OF THE BUDGET ORDINANCE. REPORT BACK TO CITY COUNCIL WITH A THREE YEAR PLAN OF STABILIZING OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT SALARY ADJUSTMENTS. OKAY, I'LL SECOND THAT. SO WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN STUBBS WITH AN AMENDMENT AS STATED, AND THEN A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN LADD. THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION FROM COUNCIL SEEING NONE, I'LL LOOK FOR YOUR ACTION ON ITEM 21. THE MOTION TO AMEND CARRIES 6 TO 0. [22. 10789 - AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE DEBT SERVICE COMPONENT OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 TAX RATE (DISTRICT: NONE) (FINANCE) (PROVIDE SOUND GOVERNANCE & FISCAL MANAGEMENT)] THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE WILL MOVE FORWARD TO ITEM 22, PLEASE. AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE DEBT SERVICE COMPONENT OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 2027 TAX RATE. SO IN GRAND STATE FASHION, THEY'VE ADDED ANOTHER RULE THIS YEAR. SO NORMALLY WE JUST APPROVE THE TAX RATE AS THE NEXT ITEM. NOW THEY'VE BROKEN THAT INTO THREE ITEMS. SO FIRST WE HAVE TO APPROVE THE DEBT SERVICE RATE. THAT'S THE RATE THAT TAKES CARE OF OUR TAX SUPPORTED DEBT ONLY. AND THEN THE NEXT ITEM NUMBER 23 TAKES CARE OF THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS PORT PORTION OF OUR TAX RATE. AND THEN NUMBER 24 IS THE ENTIRE TAX RATE AS A WHOLE. SO JUST GIVING YOU THE BACKGROUND OF WHY THAT'S CHANGED THIS YEAR. OKAY. SO WE HAVE ITEM 22. THIS IS THE THE RATE THAT HAS BEEN PROPOSED IN ALL THE BUDGET CONVERSATIONS, AS YOU SAID, THAT HAVE BEEN POSTED SINCE AUGUST 12TH PUBLICLY ON OUR WEBSITE AND IN THE MIDLAND REPORTER TELEGRAM. AND WE'VE HAD BUDGET HEARINGS ACCORDINGLY. SO WE HAVE THAT BEFORE US. COUNCIL. IS THERE ANY FURTHER? THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING. WE HAVE NO REQUEST TO SPEAK. SO I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING, BUT I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING WITH NO REQUEST TO SPEAK ON ITEM 22. DO WE HAVE ANY DISCUSSION OR ACTION FROM COUNCIL? WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN NORMAN, A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN LADD. IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE. THE MOTION PASSES [23. 10790 - AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS COMPONENT OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 TAX RATE (DISTRICT: NONE) (FINANCE) (PROVIDE SOUND GOVERNANCE & FISCAL MANAGEMENT)] UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU. ITEM 23, PLEASE. AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION COMPONENT OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 2027 TAX RATE. OKAY. SO SIMILARLY, WE HAVE THAT BEFORE US AND HAVE HAD IT POSTED FOR THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS. I'LL LOOK FOR DISCUSSION OR ACTION. OPEN PUBLIC HEARING. THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING. WE HAVE NO REQUEST TO SPEAK. SO I'LL CLOSE [01:30:03] THE PUBLIC HEARING AND LOOK FOR ACTION OR DISCUSSION FROM COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN STUBBS, A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN POOLE. IF THERE IS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU. ITEM NUMBER 24. PLEASE ESTABLISH A [24. 10791 - ESTABLISH THE TAX RATE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026–2027; AN ORDINANCE FIXING THE TAX LEVY FOR THE CITY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING ON OCTOBER 1, 2026, AND ENDING ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2027 (DISTRICT: NONE) (FINANCE) (PROVIDE SOUND GOVERNANCE & FISCAL MANAGEMENT)] TAX RATE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 2027, AN ORDINANCE FIXING THE TAX LEVY FOR THE CITY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1ST, 2026 AND ENDING ON SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2027. OKAY, SO THIS IS THE COMBINED RATE OF THE TWO. IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION AMONG COUNCIL MEMBERS? OKAY, THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING. I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. I'D LIKE TO INVITE HECTOR COVARRUBIAS IF YOU'D LIKE TO COME AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. THERE WE GO. AM I ON THE RIGHT? HECTOR COVARRUBIAS IN TEXAS. MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, LADIES. AND IN LIGHT OF EVERYTHING THAT YOU SHARED HERE TODAY AND DISCUSSIONS, I LIKE IT. AND THIS IS WHAT THE CITIZENS OF MIDLAND ARE LOOKING FOR. AND I WAS OPPOSED TO THIS. BUT IN LIGHT OF EVERYTHING THAT I HEARD AND SAW AND HEARD, CITY COUNCIL BEING INTERESTED AS TO HOW WE'RE GOING TO GET FROM ONE POINT TO ANOTHER, THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO US. AND THAT'S ALL THE CITIZENS OF MIDLAND ARE ASKING FOR. AND SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, I WITHDRAW. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS. THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL LANCE WINKLER. WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT? NO. OKAY. WITH THAT, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 24 AND LOOK FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION OR ACTION FROM COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN LADD. WE HAVE A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN NORMAN. IF THERE IS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. [25. 079-2026 - THE PROPOSED GRANTING OF OIL AND GAS WELL PERMITS TO PERMIAN DEEP ROCK OIL CO., LLC (“OPERATOR”) FOR THE DRILLING OF THE FOLLOWING OIL AND GAS WELLS: CHAPARRAL H110RB; CHAPARRAL H130RB; CHAPARRAL H155WA; CHAPARRAL H160LS; CHAPARRAL H160MS; CHAPARRAL H160UH; CHAPARRAL H160WB; CHAPARRAL H165UH; AND CHAPARRAL H165UR; SAID WELLS BEING GENERALLY LOCATED BETWEEN 1,214 FEET AND 1,456 FEET EAST OF NORTH GARFIELD STREET AND BETWEEN 1,800 AND 2,050 FEET SOUTH OF WEST LOOP 250 NORTH (PUBLIC HEARING ONLY) (DISTRICT: 1) (DEVELOPMENT SERVICES - OIL AND GAS) (SET THE STANDARD FOR A SAFE AND SECURE CITY)] THANK YOU. WE'LL MOVE FORWARD TO ITEM 25, THE PROPOSED GRANTING OF OIL AND GAS WELL PERMITS TO THE PERMIAN ROCK OIL COMPANY, LLC FOR THE DRILLING OF THE FOLLOWING OIL AND GAS WELLS. THE CHAPARRAL LISTED THERE, ALL OF THOSE LISTED THERE, SAID WELLS, BEING GENERALLY LOCATED BETWEEN 1214FT AND 1456FT EAST OF NORTH GARFIELD STREET AND BETWEEN 1800 AND 2050FT OF WEST LOOP 250 NORTH. THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING ONLY, SO WE ARE POSTED FOR THESE. IS THERE ANY QUESTION OR ANYTHING FROM COUNCIL? THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING. I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. WE HAVE NO REQUEST TO SPEAK ON ITEM 25, SO I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. AND IF THERE IS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, THERE IS NO ACTION TO BE TAKEN ON THIS ITEM. THIS IS THE PUBLIC HEARING PORTION ONLY, AND WE'LL COME BACK AT A FUTURE [26. 080-2026 - THE PROPOSED GRANTING OF OIL AND GAS WELL PERMITS TO PETROPLEX ENERGY INC., LLC (“OPERATOR”) FOR THE DRILLING OF THE FOLLOWING OIL AND GAS WELLS: WINN A 1US; WINN B 2JM; AND WINN C 3DN; SAID WELLS BEING GENERALLY LOCATED BETWEEN 316 FEET AND 356 FEET EAST OF LAMESA ROAD AND 480 FEET NORTH OF WEST LOOP 250 NORTH (PUBLIC HEARING ONLY) (DISTRICT: 1) (DEVELOPMENT SERVICES - OIL AND GAS) (SET THE STANDARD FOR A SAFE AND SECURE CITY)] DATE TO TAKE ACTION. SO WE'LL MOVE FORWARD TO ITEM NUMBER 26. THE PROPOSED GRANTING OF OIL AND GAS WELL PERMITS TO THE METROPLEX ENERGY INCORPORATED, LLC FOR THE DRILLING OF THE FOLLOWING OIL AND GAS WELLS LISTED THERE, SAID WELLS. BEING GENERALLY LOCATED BETWEEN 316FT AND 356FT OF LAMESA ROAD AND 480FT NORTH OF WEST LOOP 250 NORTH. AGAIN, THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING ONLY. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR STAFF? THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING. I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AND WOULD LIKE TO INVITE SONIA MILLICHAMP TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. WELCOME. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR TAKING MY COMMENTS. I'D LIKE TO OPPOSE THESE OIL AND GAS DRILLING RIGHT NEXT TO MY NEIGHBORHOOD. WE ALREADY HAVE OIL AND GAS WELLS EVEN CLOSER TO OUR HOMES THAN THIS, AND IT'S NOT BEEN FUN LIVING THERE WITH THE NOISE AND LIGHT AND VIBRATIONS. BUT I DON'T WANT YOU TO THINK THAT, OH, ONE MORE, ONE MORE RIG ISN'T GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THE AIR POLLUTION RIGHT NOW. THERE'S ALREADY MANY DAYS IN THE YEAR WHEN I HAVE DIESEL FUMES FROM ALL THE DRILLING ALL AROUND US COMING INTO MY HOME. AND THESE WELLS ARE RIGHT TO THE SOUTH. THE PROPOSED ONES ARE TO THE SOUTH OF MY HOME AND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. AND I'M REALLY CONCERNED. THE AIR, THE WIND COMES FROM THE SOUTH. ALL THAT POLLUTION IS GOING TO BE BLOWING CONSTANTLY ON US, ESPECIALLY WITH THE NEW RIG THAT GENERATORS RUNNING 24 OVER SEVEN. WHEN IT HAPPENED BEFORE, I THINK THAT WAS HAPPENING AT LEAST A YEAR. IT WAS A VERY LONG TIME. I FEEL CONCERNED ABOUT OUR HEALTH. I FEEL CONCERNED ABOUT CANCER RISK. I FEEL WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO ENJOY OPENING OUR WINDOWS OR SITTING IN OUR YARDS OR TAKING A WALK. SO I REALLY DON'T THINK WE SHOULD HAVE THESE WELLS SO CLOSE TO WHERE PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO LIVE HERE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS. THANK YOU. NICHOLAS, COULD I ASK YOU TO GIVE US SOME INFORMATION ABOUT HOW THIS. BECAUSE THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING ONLY. AND WHEN WILL ACTION BE TAKEN? YES. ACTION WILL BE TAKEN 30 DAYS AFTER THE PUBLIC HEARING IS HELD. OKAY. SO WE'LL WE'RE WE'RE GOING TO BE BRINGING THIS ITEM BACK. WE WON'T TAKE ACTION TODAY. THIS [01:35:03] ALLOWS THE PUBLIC TO COMMENT AS YOU HAVE. AND THEN YOU CAN COME BACK. WE'LL TAKE ACTION 30 DAYS FROM TODAY. AND I JUST WANT TO SAY, MAYOR, I APPRECIATE YOU COMING UP AND SPEAKING. I KNOW I'VE BEEN PRETTY VOCAL ABOUT, YOU KNOW, DRILLING IN THE CITY LIMITS AND WHATNOT, BUT TO HAVE OTHER PEOPLE THAT I MEAN, I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE NOW. I MEAN, I KNEW I WASN'T THE ONLY ONE PRIOR TO, BUT JUST COMING UP AND SPEAKING ABOUT IT, ESPECIALLY IN THE INDUSTRY THAT WE HAVE, IT TAKES A LOT TO DO THAT. AND I APPRECIATE YOU COMING UP AND SPEAKING ON THAT. AND WE ALSO HAVE TWO REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE APPLICANT WHO ARE HERE TO SPEAK. IF NEEDED. I'D LIKE TO GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY, JEFF NEWTON OR DARYL BLAKENEY, IF YOU'D LIKE TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. WELCOME, SIR. IF YOU WOULD GIVE US YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS DARYL BLAKENEY. MAYOR COUNCIL, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME UP AND SPEAK. I JUST WANTED TO TO, TO SAY, YOU KNOW, METROPLEX ENERGY IS IS FUELED BY MIDLANDERS. OUR PRINCIPALS ARE HERE. I MYSELF LIVE JUST A FEW MINUTES FROM THE LOCATION THAT WE'LL BE DRILLING. OUR GOAL IS TO GET IN AND GET OUT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. AS YOU ALL KNOW, THERE'S A LARGE DEVELOPMENT THAT'S THAT'S FIXING TO HAPPEN RIGHT HERE. WE'RE WORKING HAND IN HAND WITH WITH THE THE PEOPLE WHO WILL BE DOING THAT DEVELOPMENT. SO WE, WE, WE HEAR THE CONCERN. WE'RE, WE'RE RIGHT THERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD TOO. AND WE'LL DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO MITIGATE ANY POTENTIAL IMPACT TO THE PUBLIC THAT WE CAN. WE CAN'T CONTROL THE WIND, BUT WE'LL DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO, TO MITIGATE THAT IMPACT. THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS, DARYL. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THAT? OKAY. I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND THERE IS NO ACTION TO BE TAKEN. ANY FURTHER COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS. [27. 10792 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND TO REZONE A 20.15-ACRE TRACT OF LAND OUT OF SECTION 38, BLOCK 40, T-1-S, T&P RR CO. SURVEY, CITY AND COUNTY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS, FROM MF-16, MULTIPLE-FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT TO PD, PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT FOR A HOUSING DEVELOPMENT (GENERALLY LOCATED AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE INTERSECTION OF ARLINGTON ROAD AND DEAUVILLE BOULEVARD); CONTAINING A CUMULATIVE CLAUSE; CONTAINING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR A MAXIMUM PENALTY OR FINE OF TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2,000.00); AND ORDERING PUBLICATION (DISTRICT: 4) (DEVELOPMENT SERVICES) (QUALITY OF LIFE AND PLACE)] ALL RIGHT. THEN WE WILL MOVE FORWARD TO ITEM NUMBER 27, PLEASE. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND TO REZONE A 20.15 ACRE TRACT OF LAND OUT OF SECTION 38, BLOCK 40, TOWNSHIP ONE, SOUTH T AND P RAILROAD COMPANY SURVEY. CITY AND COUNTY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS, FROM MF 16. MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT TO PD PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT FOR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT. GENERALLY LOCATED AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE INTERSECTION OF ARLINGTON ROAD AND DEAUVILLE BOULEVARD, CONTAINING A CLAUSE CONTAINING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE PROVIDING FOR A MAXIMUM PENALTY OR FINE OF $2,000 AND ORDERING PUBLICATION. GOOD MORNING, ELIZABETH TRIGGS PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICER SO THIS IS A ZONE CHANGE REQUEST FROM MF 16, WHICH ALLOWS FOR MULTIFAMILY APARTMENTS AT A DENSITY 16 UNITS PER ACRE TO A PD THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR A DENSITY OF 24.6 UNITS PER ACRE ON AN APPROXIMATELY 20 ACRE SITE AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF DEAUVILLE AND ARLINGTON. SO AGAIN, THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT IS STILL MULTIFAMILY, JUST AT A HIGHER DENSITY. AND TYPICAL OF ALL OF OUR PD, THERE IS A SITE PLAN THAT'S ATTACHED TO THIS PROJECT THAT SHOWS HOW IT WILL BE LAID OUT. THESE WILL BE THREE STORY BUILDINGS, AND THEY DO MEET ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF OUR EXISTING CODE. THE THE, THE ASK HERE IS THE HIGHER DENSITY. YOU SAW AN ITEM EARLIER ON THE AGENDA ITEM 14, WHICH ALLOWED FOR THE DEVELOPER TO TAKE ON SOME PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS THAT AREN'T OTHERWISE REQUIRED BY CODE, BUT THOSE IMPROVEMENTS DO. AS HAS BEEN SHOWN BY A TRAFFIC STUDY UNDERTAKEN BY THE DEVELOPER, IMPROVE SUBSTANTIALLY THE INTERSECTION DELAYS AT DEAUVILLE AND ARLINGTON, AND TO TO BE EVEN BETTER THAN WHAT THEY ARE TODAY, EVEN AFTER THE DEVELOPMENT. AND SO FOR THAT REASON, WE DO RECOMMEND APPROVAL. HERE'S A LOOK AT THE CURRENT ZONING AND THE SURROUNDING ZONING. THIS IS JUST SOUTH OF 191, SOUTH OF WHERE THE CAR DEALERSHIP IS, IN THE NORTH OF SOME SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL HOMES. AND I DO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THE DEVELOPER MET WITH SOME OF THE NEIGHBORS IN THE AREA. AND IN TALKING WITH ONE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THAT NEIGHBORHOOD, ONE OF THE CONCERNS WAS JUST ENSURING THAT THE BUILDINGS AREN'T FACING THE BACKYARDS OF THE HOMES. AND SO YOU'LL SEE IN THE SITE PLAN THAT THEY'RE ORIENTED IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY DO NOT DO THAT. SO, AND THAT WAS TAKEN CARE OF. HERE'S AGAIN A LOOK AT THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY UNDEVELOPED. THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES SUPPORT THIS TYPE OF USE IN THE AREA. AND THEN HERE'S A LOOK AT THE SITE PLAN ITSELF. AND THE PROPERTY WILL BE DEVELOPED IN TWO PHASES. AND THE DEVELOPER SUBJECT TO THAT PREVIOUS ITEM THAT COUNCIL APPROVED, WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR BUILDING OUT THE FULL WIDTH OF DEAUVILLE. AND BY CODE THAT TYPICALLY IS LIMITED TO ONLY HALF OF THE PORTION OF THE OF THE ROAD THAT ABUTS THE PROPERTY. SO THEY ARE COMMITTING TO THE FULL BUILD OUT. THEY'LL ALSO BE PUTTING IN A ROUNDABOUT AT DEAUVILLE AND ARLINGTON, AND THAT'S WHAT IMPROVES THE DELAYS THAT WE SEE. THAT ROUNDABOUT IS PROJECTED TO RESULT IN DELAYS OF ABOUT SIX SECONDS AFTER THE DEVELOPMENT [01:40:04] IS DONE, COMPARED TO WHAT IT IS TODAY, WHICH IS NINE TO 10S. SO AN IMPROVEMENT, AND THERE WERE NO OBJECTIONS RECEIVED WHEN WE SUBMITTED NOTICE. AGAIN, THE COMMISSION PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION DID RECOMMEND APPROVAL, AND THERE IS A CAP ON THE NUMBER OF UNITS THAT ARE PERMITTED WITH THIS DEVELOPMENT. IT MUST BE DEVELOPED IN LINE WITH THE SITE PLAN ATTACHED, AND I'M HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS. SO THIS CONSISTENTLY WITH OTHER PDS, ANY CHANGE TO THE SITE PLAN WOULD RESULT IN IT COMING BACK TO COUNCIL. THAT'S CORRECT. ANY CHANGE TO THE SITE PLAN WOULD NEED TO COME BACK TO COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL. DO WE KNOW WHAT THE WALL WILL LOOK LIKE THAT WILL SEPARATE THE NEIGHBORHOOD? YES. SO THE WALL THAT IS DIRECTLY ABUTTING THE NEIGHBORHOOD WILL NEED TO BE A MASONRY WALL. THERE'S A PORTION THAT DOESN'T ABUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD DIRECTLY. AND SO THAT CAN BE A DIFFERENT MATERIAL. BUT THE PORTION THAT IS UP AGAINST THE NEIGHBORHOOD WILL HAVE TO BE MASONRY. WHAT HEIGHT, I BELIEVE, IS IT? EIGHT. EIGHT. THANK YOU. YES, MA'AM. OKAY. THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING. I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. AND WE DO HAVE A REQUEST TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM. SO I'D LIKE TO CALL GRIFFIN PERROTTI IF YOU'D LIKE TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. YOU CERTAINLY DON'T HAVE TO, BUT YOU MAY. GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. FIRST, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU GUYS FOR FOR TAKING THE TIME TO WORK WITH US HERE. ELIZABETH DID A GREAT JOB IN GIVING THE OVERVIEW, SO I WANTED TO COME UP AND TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE TRAFFIC STUDY THAT WE CONDUCTED, BECAUSE WE THINK THAT'S A MAJOR POINT THROUGH CONVERSATIONS WITH NOT ONLY THE CITY, THE CITY ENGINEERS, BUT ALSO THE, THE LEGACY NEIGHBORHOOD ABUTTING THE PROPERTY TO THE SOUTH. AND SO I APOLOGIZE, LANDON, TO SKIP THROUGH MOST OF IT. I BELIEVE IT'S SLIDE SEVEN. NO NEED TO APOLOGIZE. WE APPRECIATE IT. MIGHT BE 1 OR 2 MORE DOWN, BUT IT'S A TABLE. YEAH, JUST ONE BELOW THIS. THANK YOU. YEAH. SO TAKING A LOOK AT THIS SLIDE. WE WE DID THIS STUDY ABOUT 60 DAYS AGO. SO IT WAS SUMMER MONTHS SCHOOL NOT IN SESSION. WHAT OUR ENGINEER DID TO COMBAT THAT IS THEY ADDED A 15% ADDER ONTO THE TRAFFIC COUNTS. AND THEN FROM 2026 OR TODAY ALL THE WAY TO 2029, THEY GREW THOSE COUNTS BY 10%. AND THEN AFTER 29, THEY GREW THOSE COUNTS BY AN ADDITIONAL 5% A YEAR. AND SO WHAT THEY CAME OUT WITH WAS, AT TODAY'S CONDITIONS, YOU KNOW, NO, NO ADDITIONAL MULTIFAMILY UNITS, A LEVEL OF SERVICE AT AROUND NINE SECONDS. WHEN YOU LOOK AT OUR OUR SITE PLAN AND OUR PD WITH THE INCREASED DENSITY, EVEN AT 2032, WHEN WE INCREASE THOSE COUNTS RATHER SIGNIFICANTLY AND ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT'S NORMAL IN A TIA STUDY, WE BRING THAT DOWN TO SIX SECONDS IN THIS ROUNDABOUT THAT WE ARE CONTEMPLATING AND HAVE HAVE AGREED TO DOING IN THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT THAT WE JUST DISCUSSED ON ITEM SEVEN. BUT AGAIN, HERE TO TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE TIME SPENT AND JUST COLLABORATIVE EFFORT THAT EVERYONE TOOK BETWEEN THE CITY AND STONE HAWK AND ANDREW AT AT MAVERICK. SO THANK YOU GUYS. JUST REAL QUICK, YOU ALREADY HAVE PROPERTIES IN MIDLAND. CAN YOU? WE DO. YEAH, I THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO THE CONVERSATION. ABSOLUTELY. SO STONEHALL CAPITAL PARTNERS WAS FOUNDED IN 2013. WE ARE A BOUTIQUE MULTIFAMILY DEVELOPER BASED OUT OF DALLAS, TEXAS. WE'VE DONE 25 PROJECTS ALL OVER THE STATE, DFW AUSTIN. BUT MIDLAND IS OUR HIGHEST CONCENTRATION OF PROJECTS. SO OUR FIRST PROJECT IN OUR COMPANY HISTORY WAS THE OASIS. AND SO WE COMPLETED THAT BACK IN 2015. SINCE THEN, WE'VE DONE AN ADDITIONAL FOUR GROUND UP DEVELOPMENTS FOR A TOTAL OF FIVE, THE LAST ONE BEING HUDSON ON 158, WHICH IS IN 158. AND THAT'S A COMMUNITY THAT WE STILL OWN, OPERATE TODAY. WE ALSO OWN AND OPERATE THE WOODFORD AT MOCKINGBIRD TODAY. AND WE ALSO ACQUIRED THE WALL STREET LOFTS HERE IN DOWNTOWN IN 2018. AND SO MIDLAND IS, IS A PLACE THAT NOT ONLY HAVE WE BEEN IN THIS MARKET FOR, YOU KNOW, OVER A DECADE NOW, BUT SOMEWHERE WE PLAN TO INVEST LONG TERM. WE SEE IT AS KIND OF A CRUX TO WHO WE ARE. WE'RE INTEGRATED WITH OUR GENERAL CONTRACTOR COMPANY, STONE CONSTRUCTION, AND THAT WAS ACTUALLY FOUNDED OUT HERE IN WEST TEXAS. AND THE PARTNER OF THAT COMPANY STILL LIVES OUT IN WEST TEXAS. WE HAVE [01:45:02] REPRESENTATIVES FROM OUR COMPANY, INCLUDING MYSELF HERE, YOU KNOW, THREE TIMES, FOUR TIMES A MONTH. THE REASON I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT IS THAT I THINK YOU'LL HAVE A GOOD PRODUCT THAT WE'VE ALREADY SEEN AND ESTABLISHED, AND THEN YOUR WILLINGNESS TO COME TO US AND ACTUALLY WORK THROUGH THE INFRASTRUCTURE PROBLEMS AND THE GROWTH THAT WE'RE SEEING BECAUSE OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS HAS BEEN REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT. SO I WANT TO COMMEND YOU FOR THAT AND MAKE SURE IT'S KIND OF ON RECORD THAT, YOU KNOW, PARTNERS THAT CAN COME TO US AND WORK THROUGH SOME OF THESE COMPLICATED PROBLEMS AND HAVE REALLY CHANGING THE WAY MIDLAND OPERATES. AND AGAIN, WE HAVE A BIG APARTMENT SHORTAGE IN MIDLAND, AND Y'ALL ARE DOING A GREAT JOB TRYING TO FIX THAT FOR US. AND WE APPRECIATE IT. ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU. I ALSO THINK IT WAS IMPORTANT YOU MET WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND I THINK THAT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT TO YOU. SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. ABSOLUTELY. I THINK THAT THE MAYOR SAID IT EARLIER ON THE FIRST ITEM, BUT Y'ALL WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS TO MEETING WITH US MULTIPLE TIMES. THE TRAFFIC STUDY, THE INVESTMENTS YOU'RE MAKING, WE'RE JUST REALLY EXCITED TO PARTNER WITH YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS. THANK YOU ALL. JORDAN COX, WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT? ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE NO FURTHER REQUESTS TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM. SO I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND LOOK FOR ANY ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION OR ACTION FROM COUNCIL ON ITEM 27. MOTION FROM COUNCILWOMAN POOL A, SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN STUBBS. IF THERE IS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU. ITEM NUMBER 28, AN [28. 10793 - AN ORDINANCE CHANGING THE NAME OF EACH PORTION OF SINCLAIR AVENUE THAT IS LOCATED WEST OF THE INTERSECTION OF SINCLAIR AVENUE AND MOSSWOOD DRIVE TO “DIANE & JOSE CUEVAS BOULEVARD”; CONTAINING A CUMULATIVE CLAUSE; CONTAINING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND DIRECTING THE CITY SECRETARY TO SEND THE MIDLAND EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS DISTRICT A CERTIFIED COPY OF THIS ORDINANCE (DISTRICT: 4) (ENGINEERING SERVICES) (QUALITY OF LIFE AND PLACE)] ORDINANCE CHANGING THE NAME OF EACH PORTION OF SINCLAIR AVENUE THAT IS LOCATED WEST OF THE INTERSECTION OF SINCLAIR AVENUE AND MOSSWOOD DRIVE TO DIANE AND JOSE CUEVAS BOULEVARD, CONTAINING A CLAUSE CONTAINING A SAVINGS IN SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND DIRECTING CITY SECRETARY TO SEND THE MIDLAND EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION DISTRICT CERTIFIED COPY OF THE ORDINANCE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WOULD YOU LIKE TO KICK THIS ONE OFF, JUNIOR? SURE. DO YOU WANT TO PUT JUNIOR IN THERE? NO. WE'RE GOOD. I THINK IT'S PERFECT THE WAY IT IS. I'M I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS ITEM. I THINK IT KIND OF THAT DIANE AND JOSE CUEVAS ARE LONGTIME BUSINESS OWNERS IN THIS COMMUNITY. THEY'VE GIVEN A TON BACK TO MIDLAND. AND AT THE TIME, JOSE CUEVAS WAS THE YOUNGEST TO BE ELECTED TO CITY COUNCIL AT THE TIME. HE SERVED FOR OVER A DECADE. I MEAN, THEIR FAMILY IS INCREDIBLE. HE'S THE YOUNGEST NOW. WHAT? WHO'S THE YOUNGEST NOW? WELL, FEMALE RIGHT HERE. SO I GET TO FOLLOW IN GREAT FOOTSTEPS. I THINK, YOU KNOW, IT JUST FOLLOWS A LONG STANDING TRADITION THAT WE'RE ABLE TO NAME CITY FACILITIES OR ROADS AFTER PEOPLE THAT HAVE GIVEN SO MUCH TO THIS COMMUNITY. SO IT IS AN HONOR TO HAVE THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA TODAY. HE ALSO GAVE A STEW MEAT AND AVOCADO. YEAH, HE DID WITH EXTRA CHEESE. WITH EXTRA CHEESE. YES. MY PERSONAL FAVORITE. EXACTLY. EXCELLENT. OKAY. WELL, THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING. ARE THERE ANY OTHER OTHER COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS BEFORE I OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING? OKAY. THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING. I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AND INVITE DERRICK SMITH TO COME FORWARD TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. YES. GOING BACK TO MR. CUEVAS TIME ON THE CITY COUNCIL, I THINK HE HIMSELF WOULD BE AGAINST THIS BECAUSE WE HAD A CONTROVERSIAL STREET CHANGE NAME COME UP DURING HIS TIME, AND HE VOTED AGAINST IT. WE WERE WANTING TO RENAME FAIRGROUNDS OR EITHER FRONT STREET TO MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR BOULEVARD, AND MR. CUEVAS VOTED AGAINST THAT. AND IN FACT, I'LL READ TO YOU WHAT I READ DURING THAT HEARING, WHICH IS PROVERBS 2228, WHICH SAYS, REMOVE NOT THE ANCIENT LANDMARK WHICH THY FATHERS HAVE SET. AND THEN THERE'S A SIMILAR WARNING FOUND IN PROVERBS 2310 AND DEUTERONOMY 1914. IF YOU'VE NEVER DRIVEN AN 18 WHEEL TRUCK, ESPECIALLY BEING NOT FROM AN AREA, WHEN CITIES DO THINGS LIKE THIS, IT TAKES A LONG TIME FOR IT TO GET CHANGED ON MAPS. AND OUR ROADWAYS ARE ALREADY DANGEROUS ENOUGH AS THEY ARE. I'M NOT OPPOSED TO NAMING SOMETHING AFTER MR. CUEVAS OR HIS WIFE, BUT I AM AGAINST CHANGING ANYTHING DUE TO THE CONFUSION IT CAUSES FOR DELIVERY DRIVERS AND OTHER PEOPLE WHO COME IN. I MEAN, SOMEBODY FROM BEHNKEN'S OR ATLAS MOVING COMPANY COULD BE DRIVING IN FROM PENNSYLVANIA TRYING TO FIND SOMETHING, AND THEY HAVE GPS ON THERE AND THEY'RE LOST. AND SO NOW YOU'VE GOT A BIG RIG OUT THERE AND YOU'VE ALREADY GOT EVERYBODY AROUND HERE WHO YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE OIL INDUSTRY AROUND HERE IS EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BE DONE LAST WEEK. AND SO EVERYBODY'S JUST IN A HURRY TO GET EVERYWHERE. AND SO IT'S ALSO A SAFETY CONCERN. IT'S NOTHING AGAINST NAMING SOMETHING AFTER MR. CUEVAS. BUT IF SOMETHING'S ALREADY NAMED, IT JUST NEEDS TO REMAIN WHAT IT IS FOR THAT PURPOSE. AND LIKE I SAY, HE HIMSELF, HE VOTED [01:50:03] AGAINST RENAMING STREETS AFTER A HISTORICAL FIGURE. AND HE AGREED WITH ME AT THE TIME THAT WE HAD PLENTY OF DEVELOPMENT GOING ON. AND THAT'S WHAT I BROUGHT UP DURING THAT MEETING, WAS WE HAD ALL THIS DEVELOPMENT GOING ON. AND I BELIEVE THAT WHAT WE ENDED UP NAMING AFTER MARTIN LUTHER KING IS THE CIRCLE AROUND OUR STADIUM, WHICH WAS SOMETHING THAT I HAD SUGGESTED. AND I HAD TOLD HIM THAT, YOU KNOW, I WOULD PREFER TO SEE IT OVER IN THAT AREA OF TOWN BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY OTHER TOWN YOU GO TO, MARTIN LUTHER KING JR WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE BAD SIDE OF TOWN. AND SO IF HE HIMSELF VOTED AGAINST RENAMING SOMETHING, I THINK THAT WE OUGHT TO LOOK AT THE RECORD AND JUST FOLLOW SUIT AND SAY, YEAH, LET'S FIND A NEW DEVELOPMENT AND RENAME A BRAND NEW STREET AFTER HIM INSTEAD OF RENAMING SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO CAUSE CONFUSION AND POSSIBLY LEAD TO HAVOC OUT ON THE ROADWAYS. WHENEVER SOME TRUCK IS TRYING TO MAKE A DELIVERY AND IT'S LOST BECAUSE GPS HAS THE CURRENT SETTINGS, AND THEN IT TAKES SO MUCH LONGER FOR THESE THINGS TO UPDATE. SO IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. CAN I JUST SPEAK TO THAT? SURE. BECAUSE THIS IS NOT ALL OF SINCLAIR. THIS IS JUST WEST OF THE LOOP, WHICH IS NOT CURRENTLY A DEVELOPED AREA. SO, I MEAN, I THINK THAT WAS CONTEMPLATED. AND JUST JUST WANTING TO CLARIFY, WE'RE NOT WE'RE NOT RENAMING THE ENTIRE STREET. YES, MA'AM. AND THAT WAS AN ITEM WE DID TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION. MR. SMITH BRINGS UP A GOOD POINT. AND SO THIS PORTION OF SINCLAIR HAS BEEN RENAMED, HAS NOTHING ADDRESSED OFF OF IT. SO BACK WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT WALL STREET OR FAIRGROUNDS, I THINK AS STAFF, WE WOULD BE RELUCTANT TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THOSE ROADS EVEN TODAY, BECAUSE OF ALL THE DIFFERENT PARCELS THAT ARE ADDRESSED OFF OF THOSE ROADWAYS. THERE'S NOT A SINGLE PARCEL ON THIS SECTION OF SINCLAIR THAT IS ACTUALLY ADDRESSED OFF OF THIS PORTION. AND TO YOUR POINT, EVERYTHING EAST OF THE LOOP WILL REMAIN. SINCLAIR. THIS IS WEST OF SINCLAIR OF THE LOOP, AND AGAIN HAS NO ADDRESS ON IT. AND I THINK IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO TO THE POINTS THAT MR. SMITH MADE, BUT ALSO TO ANY EXISTING IN BUSINESSES THAT WOULD THEN INCUR THE COST OF HAVING TO REBRAND AND REDO ALL THEIR PRINTING AND THAT SORT OF THING. SO THERE'S NOBODY THAT IS IMPACTED IN THAT WAY THAT WE'RE AWARE OF. WE ASKED THAT QUESTION, MAYOR. YOU KNOW, HEARING COUNCIL'S CONCERNS ABOUT COSTS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE, I ASKED THAT QUESTION AND THEY SAID THERE WOULD BE NO COST OTHER THAN THE SIGN. AND WE HAVEN'T DOING THAT. OKAY. SO ZERO ADDRESSES, ZERO CONFUSION. AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, MR. CUEVAS IS VERY HONORED THAT WE ARE DOING THAT. SO I JUST WANT TO THROW THAT OUT THERE AS WELL. YES. THIS WAS BROUGHT FORTH BY COUNCIL. SO SO WITH THAT, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. WE HAVE NO FURTHER REQUESTS TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM AND LOOK FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION OR ACTION FROM COUNCIL ON ITEM 28. MOTION FROM COUNCILWOMAN BURKS AND A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN NORMAN. IF THERE IS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE. THE [29. 10794 - AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A FEE SCHEDULE; CONTAINING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING AN APPEAL PROCESS; ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF OCTOBER 1, 2026; AND ORDERING PUBLICATION (DISTRICT: NONE) (FINANCE) (PROVIDE SOUND GOVERNANCE & FISCAL MANAGEMENT)] MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE'LL MOVE FORWARD TO MISCELLANEOUS ITEM NUMBER 29, PLEASE. AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A FEE SCHEDULE CONTAINING THE SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE. PROVIDING AN APPEAL PROCESS. ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF OCTOBER 1ST, 2026 AND ORDERING PUBLICATION. YES, SIR. MAYOR AND COUNCIL, THIS IS JUST A ROUTINE. EVERY YEAR WE DO ANY KIND OF UPDATES NEEDED. SOMETIMES WE'RE REMOVING THINGS OR DOING JUST PLANNED INCREASES FOR CERTAIN DEPARTMENTS THAT DO A REGULAR TRUE UP. SO NOTHING. NOTHING BIG. OKAY. WE HAVE NO REQUESTS TO SPEAK ON THIS. SO I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING, CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING, BECAUSE WE HAVE NO REQUEST TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS? ALL RIGHT. THEN WE WILL. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN NORMAN, A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN LAD. IF THERE IS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE ON ITEM 29, PLEASE. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU. ITEM NUMBER 30, [30. 081-2026 - MOTION MAKING APPOINTMENTS TO VARIOUS BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS (DISTRICT: ALL) (CITY SECRETARY) (TRANSPARENT & CONSISTENT COMMUNICATION)] PLEASE. MOTION MAKING APPOINTMENTS TO VARIOUS BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS. SO WE HAVE THIS IS OUR BIG ONE. EACH YEAR WE HAVE. DURING THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, WE HAVE SEVERAL DIFFERENT APPOINTMENTS AND REAPPOINTMENTS TO MAKE. WE HAVE GONE TO THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS WHERE WE'VE HAD A PROCESS WHERE WE WRITE THESE DOWN JUST FOR CLARITY'S SAKE, BUT WE I THINK STAFF HAS PREPARED LITTLE BALLOTS FOR US THAT WILL BE PART OF THE PUBLIC RECORD THAT OUR OPEN RECORDS REQUEST WILL WILL PUT OUR NAMES ON THEM, AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO VOTE. BUT THIS JUST HELPS US TO STREAMLINE THE CLARITY OF THE PROCESS. FIRST OF ALL, THOUGH, WE FOUND A MECHANISM THAT I BELIEVE BOTH CITY LEGAL AND THE CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE ARE [01:55:01] COMFORTABLE WITH US APPOINTING ALL OF THE THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE AND INTERESTED IN REAPPOINTMENT. AND SO COUNCIL, YOU HAVE THOSE LISTED HERE BEFORE YOU. AND WE'RE ABLE TO TAKE THOSE WITH THE LANGUAGE THAT'S BEEN PROVIDED. IF WE WANT TO JUST REAPPOINT THOSE AS A SLATE RATHER THAN TO SEPARATE THOSE OUT, AND THEN WE CAN TAKE UP THE NEW APPOINTMENTS SEPARATELY. SO THAT'S AVAILABLE TO COUNCIL MEMBERS IF YOU'D LIKE TO DO THAT. MAYOR, BEFORE WE DO THAT, I JUST WANT TO I JUST WANT TO SAY, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT'S LIKE GETTING ALL OF THEM OUT AT ONE TIME, BUT I KNOW WE HAD TALKED TO THE CITIZENS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, APPLYING FOR THESE POSITIONS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE AND JUST WITH WITH SOME OF THEM. AND I WON'T GO IN TO SPECIFICS, BUT WITH SOME OF THEM, WE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT APPLIED AND JUST KNOW THAT LIKE IT'S SOME LIKE SOME OF THESE THINGS, IT'S RULES AND REGULATIONS. WE HAVE TO GO BY. CERTAIN PEOPLE HAVE TO BE ON CERTAIN BOARDS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. SO AND SO WE HAVE OIL AND GAS ADVISORY HAS TO HAVE AN ENGINEER AND A REALTOR. YEAH. WE HAVE SOME OF THOSE KIND OF THINGS. WE HAVE WE HAVE THOSE THINGS GOING ON. SO I MEAN, I JUST, I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO BE DISCOURAGED BY THOSE CERTAIN RULES AND WHATNOT AND JUST KEEP APPLYING AND TRYING TO GET INTO THESE POSITIONS AND WHATNOT. AND THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT. THERE WAS A BIG PUSH ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND OTHER PLACES TO BE ABLE TO GET AS MANY APPLICANTS. I FEEL LIKE WE KIND OF ONE UP OURSELVES WITH THE TOTAL NUMBER OF APPLICANTS EACH TIME. SO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE WORK THAT YOUR OFFICE, THE CITY SECRETARY AND THE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT HAVE DONE ON THAT. THE THE LIST HERE JUST FOR COUNCIL'S AWARENESS. WE ASKED AND THESE HAVE ALREADY BEEN VETTED FOR ATTENDANCE. SO THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN ON THOSE BOARDS. THEY HAVE ATTENDED AT THE CRITERIA THAT WE HAVE SET FORWARD. AND THEY HAVE BEEN THEY'VE INDICATED THEIR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE FOR AN ADDITIONAL TERM. SO I'LL GO AHEAD AND MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE REAPPOINTMENT OF ALL CURRENT BOARD AND COMMISSION MEMBERS WHOSE TERMS ARE EXPIRING AND WHO ARE RECOMMENDED FOR REAPPOINTMENT BY THEIR RESPECTIVE STAFF LIAISONS BASED ON THEIR GOOD STANDING, SATISFACTORY ATTENDANCE AND CONTINUED WILLINGNESS TO SERVE. AND WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILWOMAN POOL, AS STATED, AND A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN NORMAN. IF THERE IS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE SLATE OF OFFICERS I. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE WILL NOW MOVE FORWARD TO THE APPOINTMENTS THAT ARE NEEDED. AND, RACHEL, DO YOU HAVE THOSE BALLOTS THAT YOU CAN PASS OUT TO US AND WE WILL DO HAND VOTES ON THESE. WE'LL DO HAND VOTES ONCE WE'VE GOT THE SLATE. YES. SO THE WAY THAT WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS IS FOR EACH PARTICULAR BOARD YOU'LL BE ABLE TO WRITE DOWN. I THINK YOU DON'T. WE EACH TAKE A PACKET. NO, MA'AM. OKAY. YOUR NAME IS ON EACH ONE. SO THE TAKE THE ONE WITH YOUR NAME ON IT. YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE TO WRITE YOUR NAME. THEY DID IT FOR US. ALL RIGHT, SO THEN FOR THE AIRPORT PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO WRITE WHO YOUR CHOICES ARE. WHERE ARE WE AT? LET'S GO AHEAD AND PASS ALL THESE OUT. AND WE CAN. IS THAT OR WILL THAT CONFUSE THINGS FOR Y'ALL IF WE JUST GO AHEAD. JUST TAKE YOURS AND PASS THE REST OF THEM DOWN AND. FOR THE THREE VACANCIES FOR THE AIRPORT PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD, [02:00:25] THE THREE APPLICANTS THAT RECEIVED THE MOST VOTES WAS CHRISTINA RENTERIA. I APOLOGIZE IF I SAY ANY OF THESE WRONG. BARRETT BOYLE AND BERNADETTE GRANGER. OKAY, SO WE HAVE A SLATE THAT RECEIVED THE MAJORITY OF THE VOTES. CHRISTINA RENTERIA BARRETT, BERNADETTE GRANGER, DO WE HAVE WE CAN AND WE CAN DO ALL THE VOTES AT THE VERY END, IF YOU LIKE. OKAY, SO WE'LL JUST GO AHEAD AND NOTATE THAT ON OUR PAGE. GOODNESS GRACIOUS. FOR THIS ONE RIGHT HERE. I THINK THAT'S APPROVED. YEAH. SO THE BARBARA AND GEORGE H.W. BUSH CONVENTION CENTER ADVISORY BOARD, THERE'S NOT AN APPLICATION. SO YOU CAN SET THAT ONE ASIDE. THERE'S TWO MORE. THE SAME FOR THE OIL AND GAS ADVISORY COMMITTEE. THERE'S JUST THE REAPPOINTMENT. OKAY. THANK YOU. THE CITIZEN, THE HOTEL MOTEL ADVISORY BOARD. DO WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION FOR A CERTAIN NUMBER OF HOTELIERS OR JUST ONE? ONE. OKAY. ONE NEEDS TO BE IN A HOTEL YEAR AND THAT'S THE ON THE LIST, THE ADRIAN. HOTEL YEARS ON THE BOARD, CORRECT. WELL, ARE THEY ROLLING OFF? HE'S ROLLING OFF. OKAY, OKAY. SO WE ARE ON CITIZENS DEVELOPMENT HOTEL, MOTEL. WE'RE LOOKING FOR 3 OR 2, THREE, THREE. OKAY. THE SPACEPORT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. I THOUGHT WE HAD THREE. TOTAL SEATS AND WE JUST REAPPOINTED ONE. SO THERE'S ONLY TWO THAT ARE ELIGIBLE. WE JUST HAVE THE ONE VACANCY FOR FRANK KISSNER. AND DAN SCHANZ WAS JUST REAPPOINTED. SO THAT'S THE ONLY ONE WE HAVE. SO WE ONLY HAVE ONE AVAILABLE OPTION FOR THAT ONE. YES. SO I THINK WE MIGHT HAVE I MIGHT HAVE MISSED SEVERAL OF THESE UP. LET'S LET'S GO BACK AND TALK THROUGH THEM. OKAY. SO THE VACANCIES IS WHAT WE SHOULD BE GOING ON. SO THEN FOR ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY COMMISSION, WE HAVE THREE CHOICES, THREE PLACES THAT WE CAN MAKE DECISIONS. ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY. WE ONLY HAVE TWO. SO WE NEED TO CHOOSE WHO AMONG THOSE THREE. WE HAVE TWO VACANCIES. ONE MUST BE A VETERINARIAN AND NONE APPLIED. SO REALLY WE JUST PROBABLY BE WE JUST NEED FILLING THE ONE VACANCY, RIGHT? SO THEN MAKE ONE CHOICE FOR THE ANIMAL SERVICES, ANIMAL SERVICES. AND THEN WE NEED TO SEEK SUPPORT FROM A VETERINARIAN BECAUSE WE [02:05:07] HAVE NO APPLICATIONS. SO WE'LL HAVE TO WORK ON THAT. SO ONE CHOICE FOR ANIMAL ADVISORY. THANK YOU. I DON'T THAT'S HARD. AND THEN WE HAVE NO APPLICANTS OR NO OPTIONS NO VACANCIES FOR THE GEORGE BUSH ADVISORY CENTER RIGHT. FOR ADVISORY BOARD. WE HAVE. THE CITIZENS DEVELOPMENT THREE VACANCIES TO FILL. VACANCIES MUST BE A HOTELIER. YES. I'M SO SORRY. OKAY. OKAY. THE MIDLAND HOUSING AUTHORITY, WE ONLY HAVE ONE. MIDLAND ODESSA URBAN TRANSIT DISTRICT BOARD. WE HAVE ONE VACANCY, SO WE NEED TO MAKE ONE CHOICE ON THAT ONE. YES. OKAY. AND THEN THE SPACEPORT DEVELOPMENT BOARD. WE HAVE ONE VACANCY. YES. ON THE OIL AND GAS ADVISORY COMMITTEE. WE HAVE NO VACANCIES. WE JUST DID THE REAPPOINTMENT. AND THEN FOR THE PARKS AND REC, WE HAVE ONE VACANCY, RIGHT? CORRECT. THANK YOU FOR THE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT. THERE'S TWO VACANCIES, ONE FULL MEMBER, ONE ALTERNATE. SO SHOULD WE ROTATE ON OUR CARD WHO ARE NOMINATING FOR THE VACANCY AND ONE FOR THE ALTERNATE? THAT WOULD BE. THE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS. AIRPORT ZONING. I HAVE A CARD FOR ZONING. ALL RIGHT. SORRY. ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT. AIRPORT ZONING. I. THINK IF I DID IT RIGHT, I THINK WHILE WE'LL GIVE YOU ALL SOME TIME TO TALLY THOSE AND WE'LL GO FORWARD. CAN WE DO THIS, NICHOLAS? WHAT PROCEDURALLY, GO AHEAD AND TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT WHILE WE'RE WAITING. YES WE CAN. AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK AND TAKE ACTION. SO WE WILL DEFER THE COMPLETION OF ITEM 30 UNTIL AFTER ITEM 31 WILL MOVE FORWARD TO PUBLIC COMMENT. ITEM NUMBER 31 WILL RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENTS WHERE INDIVIDUALS MAY ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON CITY RELATED ISSUES, NOT ON PROJECTS, NOT ON THE AGENDA. ANY DELIBERATION OF OR DECISION BY THE CITY COUNCIL REGARDING THE ITEM BEING DISCUSSED SHALL BE LIMITED TO A MOTION TO PLACE THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA FOR A SUBSEQUENT MEETING. WE ASK THAT YOU PLEASE LIMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO THREE MINUTES OR LESS, AND WE WOULD LIKE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH FIRST INVITING LANCE WINKLER. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO COME AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. HELLO AGAIN. YES, MY COMMENT WOULD BE MORE ABOUT THE NOTICING THAT THERE ARE MORE CAMERAS OUT THERE CURRENTLY. BY LAST COUNT WAS 140. IF I'M A BETTING MAN, THAT'S PROBABLY CLOSER TO 200 BY NOW. AT&T AND DISH ARE REALLY GOOD ABOUT INSTALLING THESE THINGS IN THE NIGHT. WHERE IS THE CONTRACT FOR THE FLOCK? CAMERA IS. AND THE SECOND, IF HE FOLLOWS THE SAME PATTERN, HE ALWAYS DOES, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WHEN GOVERNOR ABBOTT MAKES ALPR CAMERAS ILLEGAL IN THIS IN THE STATE? ARE YOU GOING TO SUE HIM TO KEEP YOUR FLOCK CAMERAS LIKE THE BIGGER CITIES? THANK YOU. EXCUSE ME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. I DO WANT TO JUST HIGHLIGHT WE WE ARE ACTUALLY TAKING A LOOK INTO THIS. WE MADE AT A PREVIOUS MEETING. WE TALKED ABOUT FLOCK CAMERAS AND OUR DESIRE TO MOVE AWAY FROM THOSE AND TO ULTIMATELY FIND OTHER SOLUTIONS THAT HELP SUPPORT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND GIVE THEM THE RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED, BUT DON'T HAVE THESE KINDS OF CONCERNS THAT WE SHARE WITH THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT HAVE RAISED THESE. SO CONSISTENT WITH WHAT ITEM 31 [02:10:04] SAYS HERE WE I AM MOVING TO PUT THIS ON A FUTURE AGENDA. WE WILL BE BRINGING THIS BACK PROBABLY IN THE MONTH OF OCTOBER, TO BE ABLE TO REEVALUATE THIS AND HAVE A MORE ROBUST CONVERSATION AS A COUNCIL. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT. WE ARE MOVING TO MAKE CHANGES, AND I WOULD SAY THAT MY PERSONAL OPINION IS NOT DISSIMILAR TO YOURS. SO WE'RE WE'RE MOVING FORWARD, AND I AM MOVING TO PUT THAT ON TO A FUTURE AGENDA. I'D ALSO LIKE TO NOTE A LOT OF THE FLOCK CAMERAS THAT YOU SEE ARE NOT CITY FLOCK CAMERAS. HOAS ARE PUTTING THEM IN, BUSINESSES ARE PUTTING THEM IN. SO YOU MAY SEE THEM, BUT THEY'RE NOT ALL CITY OWNED. THAT'S CORRECT. SO WE HAVE A CONTRACT THAT WE CAN REEVALUATE AND BRING BACK. AND SO I BELIEVE THAT WILL BE DISCUSSED IN DETAIL IN OCTOBER. AND JUST TO PUT A FINE POINT ON WHAT COUNCILWOMAN POLE SAID, M I SD THE COUNTY DPS ALSO HAVE CAMERAS. OURS, I BELIEVE ARE AT 73. AND AS THE MAYOR HAS ALREADY ALLUDED TO, COUNCIL HAS TALKED TO US ABOUT LOOKING AT A DIFFERENT OPTIONS. YEP. SO THAT MORE TO COME ON THAT WE DON'T DISAGREE WITH YOU. WE'LL MOVE FORWARD TO ITEM 31 AND INVITE DEREK SMITH TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS. I JUST WANT TO GO BACK TO THE BUDGET, LIKE SAY, I WOULD LIKE YOU ALL TO MAKE MORE CUTS. AND IF THAT MEANS CUTTING THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WE SPEND WITH K, WELL THEN SO BE IT. I MEAN, WE SHOULD NOT BE SPENDING TAXPAYER DOLLARS ON SOMETHING THAT'S NOT VIEWPOINT NEUTRAL ANYHOW. AND SOMEBODY WHO'S A HYPOCRITE AND SAYS THAT, YOU KNOW, PBS AND NPR ARE NOT VIEWPOINT NEUTRAL. SO THEY DON'T DESERVE OUR TAX DOLLARS. SO, YOU KNOW, AND I REALLY WISH Y'ALL WOULD STOP AVAILING YOURSELVES TO THAT BECAUSE THEY JUST MAKE YOU LOOK FOOLISH AND LIKE, HYPOCRITE YOURSELVES. WE ALL WANTED TO SEE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF. AND THEN IT GOT PASSED. BUT AND THIS IS OUT OF YOUR CONTROL. WE GOT HIT WITH THAT BILLION DOLLAR SCHOOL BOND. AND SO LIKE GOING BACK TO THIS NO NEW REVENUE THING, IT GOES BACK TO THE EXAMPLE THAT I GAVE YOU ABOUT THE EMPLOYEE GETTING OVERPAID. Y'ALL ARE TRYING TO JUSTIFY KEEPING THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY COMING IN INSTEAD OF SAYING, OKAY, THIS IS MONEY THAT WE SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN RECEIVING, WHAT ALL THINGS CAN WE CUT OUT AND LIKE, SAY, GOING BACK TO DEVELOPMENT, HOW COME NONE OF THIS STUFF THAT HAVE BEEN SOLD TO US BY PREVIOUS COUNCILS LIKE THE HORSESHOE ARENA, THE STADIUM, THIS COUNCIL HERE, YOU KNOW, ALL THIS DEVELOPMENT, WHERE WHERE IS ALL THIS ADDITIONAL MONEY GOING? BECAUSE LIKE, SAY JUST ONE ACRE, WHICH HAS OVER 400 ZERO SQUARE FOOT AND THE AVERAGE HOME IS ANYWHERE FROM 1800 TO 2000FT■!S, AND A MEDIAN PRICE LIKE, SAY, $200,000 FOR ONE ACRE OF LAND IS A LOT OF MONEY. AND SO WHEN YOU PUT TEN HOMES ON THAT ONE ACRE AND RAISE THE VALUE TO 3 MILLION, THAT IS A 1,400% INCREASE IN THE TAXABLE VALUATION OF THAT ONE PIECE OF LAND. AND IT'S HAPPENING EXPONENTIALLY. SO IF WE DEVELOP TEN ACRES IN ONE YEAR, WHICH IS 8.33 HOMES PER ACRE OVER 12 MONTHS, YOU HAVE JUST BROUGHT IN 140 PERCENT INCREASE IN TAXABLE VALUATIONS OF WHAT WAS ONCE RAW LAND. AND THEN WHEN YOU TAKE A COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT LIKE OXY, ANADARKO, CHEVRON, THOSE BIG PROJECTS LIKE THAT, LIKE SAY, I'VE LOOKED AT THEM AND IF THAT'S ON FIVE ACRES AT 200 000 FOR A MILLION, AND ONE OF THOSE BUILDINGS IS VALUED AT 80 MILLION, THAT IS A 7,900% INCREASE IN THE TAXABLE VALUATION OF WHAT WAS ONCE JUST RAW LAND. AND YET WE'RE ALWAYS BROKE. ALWAYS. WE NEED MORE TAXING FROM THE PEOPLE. AND I WANT US TO STOP PAYING FOR ANY ADVERTISING TO ANY BROADCAST MEDIUM OTHER THAN WHAT IS REQUIRED BY LAW, BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY FREE WAYS TO IT, AND I'M TIRED OF BEING EXPECTED AS AN INDIVIDUAL TO CONTINUE TO GIVE MORE TO MY COMMUNITY. BUT THESE BUSINESSES LIKE RADIO AND TV AND NEWSPAPER, THEY DON'T HAVE TO DONATE OR GIVE ANYTHING TO Y'ALL AND IT COMES FROM US. SO FIND THINGS THAT YOU CAN CUT. I STILL HAD TIME. NO, SIR. YOUR TIME IS UP. WE NEED TO. DO WE HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR RESPONSES FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS? OKAY, MAYOR, I THINK ON I DO HAVE ONE COMMENT WITH RESPECT TO THE VALUES OF THE PROPERTIES THAT MAKE UP THAT $65.2 MILLION THAT SO SO THE VALUES THAT GO UP MAKE MAKE UP THAT AMOUNT. OUR PERCENTAGE IS 23% OF THE DOLLAR. SO THE MAJORITY OF THAT GOES TO MISD PORTION GOES TO THE COUNTY, GOES TO THE OTHER TAXING ENTITIES LIKE THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND MIDLAND COLLEGE. SO OUR PERCENTAGE IS 23%. ANOTHER WAY OF LOOKING AT IT, [02:15:03] IF YOU HAVE A DOLLAR, WE ONLY GET $0.23. AND SO THAT MAKES UP THE 65 MILLION. SO THESE PROPERTIES THAT ARE VALUED AT WHATEVER THEY'RE VALUED AT COUNCIL DID GIVE BACK MONEY THE LAST THREE YEARS. AS I POINTED OUT ALREADY, WE GIVE MONEY BACK PEOPLE ARGUABLY. AND THEY'RE RIGHT. THE VALUES GO UP. I DIDN'T SEE A TAX DECREASE THIS YEAR. THE VALUES WENT DOWN. SO THAT'S WHAT MAKES UP THE 65 MILLION. I WOULD ALSO POINT OUT THAT I UNDERSTAND. BUT THE VALUATIONS LIKE YOU'RE TAKING THE HIGH END OF OF PROPERTIES THE TOP RATE OF PROPERTIES. WHAT I WOULD SAY THOUGH IS FOR EVERY ONE OF THOSE HOUSES THAT GOES IN, ARE YOU FACTORING IN THAT WE HAVE TO PUT IN SEWER LINES THAT WE HAVE TO PUT IN WATER LINES? ARE YOU FACTORING IN THAT NOW? THE FIRE DEPARTMENT? THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TRASH? SO I THINK GO AHEAD. AND I WAS JUST I WAS I MEAN, WE IT'S NOT LIKE WE'RE A BUSINESS WHERE WE'RE MAKING A TON OF MONEY FROM THESE SERVICES. MOST OF THAT MONEY GOES BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH SERVICES, IS ALL I WAS SAYING. THERE'S ALSO THE COST OF THE SERVICES THAT THOSE REQUIRE OF US. SO FOR EACH OF THOSE, WE STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR ROADWAY AND, AND WATER AND SEWER AND POLICE SERVICE AND ALL THE THINGS THAT GO TO SUPPORT THEM. SO FOR THE, THE NEW PROPERTIES, NEW DEVELOPMENT THAT WERE ADDED TO THE TAX ROLLS THIS YEAR, OUR PORTION OF THE REVENUE FROM THAT TAXABLE VALUATION THAT WAS ADDED IS $2.4 MILLION. THAT WAS WHAT WAS PRESENTED EARLIER. THAT'S THE PROJECTED REVENUE THAT WE SHOULD RECEIVE FOR THE THINGS THAT WERE ADDED TO THE TAX ROLLS THIS YEAR, AND SO WE USE THOSE TO PROVIDE EXPANDED SERVICES FOR THOSE EXPANDED AREAS OF TOWN. SO ALL RIGHT. WELL, AND I KNOW NEVER MIND, I WAS JUST GOING TO TALK ABOUT THAT ONE SLIDE ABOUT THE PUBLIC SAFETY. I MEAN, THE 60 THE 67 MILLION IS A TWO THIRDS OF WHAT IT COST TO PROVIDE PUBLIC SAFETY. THE ONLY REASON THAT IS GIVEN AS AN EXAMPLE, BECAUSE THAT'S OUR TOP PRIORITY. THAT'S THE COUNCIL'S TOP PRIORITY. AND IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE $105 MILLION. YEP. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL STAN SMITH TO COME FORWARD TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. GOOD AFTERNOON. I WAS GOING TO SAY GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. ALL THIS MCAD STUFF THAT WE TALKED ABOUT. I'VE HEARD YOU MAKE THE COMMENT BEFORE THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THEM. CAB EARLIER YOU STATED THAT WE HAVE JOHN SCARBOROUGH. WE GOT A REPRESENTATIVE. I WANT TO LOOK AT THIS A LITTLE DIFFERENT ANGLE. WHEN WE LOOK AT MONEY IN MIDLAND, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING THAT EVERY TAXPAYER, MIDLAND SHOULD CARE ABOUT FAIRNESS, NOT WHETHER PROPERTY VALUES ARE GOING UP OR DOWN, NOT WHETHER TAXES ARE HIGH OR LOW, BUT WHETHER TWO TAXPAYERS WITH SIMILAR PROPERTIES ARE BEING TREATED EQUALLY BY THE PROPERTY TAX SYSTEM. THE TEXAS CONTROLLER'S 2024 STUDY, WHICH IS ALL I COULD FIND, GIVES US SOME IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT MIDLAND COUNTY, THE SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES. THE STUDY FOUND THE MEDIAN APPRAISAL OF 0.98 AND A COEFFICIENT OF DISPERSION RCOD OF A 9.82. OVERALL, THE MIDLAND COUNTY NUMBERS WERE 0.98, MEDIAN APPRAISAL LEVEL AND A 12.1 1COD, NOW 0.98, TELLS US THAT THE COMPTROLLER'S STUDY SAMPLE. THE TYPICAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MIDLAND APPRAISALS AND THE STUDY INDICATED VALUES WAS ABOUT 98%. BUT THE COT TELLS US SOMETHING DIFFERENT. IT TELLS US ABOUT UNIFORMITY, HOW MUCH INDIVIDUAL PROPERTIES VARY AROUND THAT CENTRAL LEVEL. AND THAT'S WHERE I BELIEVE TAXPAYERS NEED TO PAY ATTENTION. THE SINGLE FAMILY COD OF 9.82 MEANS THAT WHILE THE OVERALL MEDIAN MAY LOOK REASONABLE, INDIVIDUAL PROPERTIES ARE NOT BEING APPRAISED EXACTLY THE SAME. RELATIONSHIP TO MARKET VALUE. IN FACT, THE CONTROLLER'S DATA SHOWS THAT ONLY 65.14% OF THE SAMPLED SINGLE FAMILY RATIOS WERE WITHIN THE PLUS OR -10% OF THE MEDIAN. THINK ABOUT THAT AND WHAT THAT MEANS FROM A TAXPAYER'S PERSPECTIVE. TWO HOUSES CAN BE SIMILAR IN VALUE. THEY CAN BE IN THE SAME NEIGHBORHOOD. THEY CAN HAVE BE SIMILAR IN SIZE, AGE AND CONDITION. YET IF ONE APPRAISES AT A HIGHER PERCENTAGE, ITS ACTUAL MARKET THAN THE OTHER TAXPAYER, THAT THE PROPERTY CARRIES A DISPROPORTIONATE SHARE OF THE TAX BURDEN. THAT'S THE ISSUE I WANT TO FOCUS ON. THIS IS NOT ABOUT ASKING FOR EVERYBODY'S APPRAISAL TO BE LOWERED. IT'S ABOUT ASKING FOR EVERYBODY TO BE TREATED FAIRLY. AND THE NUMBERS BECOME EVEN MORE CONCERNING WHEN WE LOOK BEYOND SINGLE FAMILY HOMES. THE COMPTROLLER REPORTED CODS OF 14.37 FOR MULTIFAMILY PROPERTIES, 20.64 FOR COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE PROPERTY, 45.11 FOR VACANT LOTS, 43.64 FOR RURAL AND NON-QUALIFIED PROPERTIES. THOSE NUMBERS TELL US THAT UNIFORMITY IS NOT THE SAME ACROSS THE PROPERTY CATEGORY. SO I'M ASKING MIDLAND CENTRAL DISTRICT FOR SOMETHING VERY SIMPLE, WHICH I TALKED TO THEM. LET'S LET'S EXAMINE THIS DATA. LET'S IDENTIFY WHERE THE [02:20:02] GREATEST VARIATIONS ARE OCCURRING. LET'S LOOK AT THE APPRAISAL UNIFORMITY NEIGHBORHOOD PROPERTY TYPE MARKET SEGMENT. AND LET'S MAKE THAT INFORMATION MORE UNDERSTANDABLE AND AVAILABLE TO THE TAXPAYERS WHO ARE ULTIMATELY PAYING THE BILLS. THE CITY COUNCIL DOES NOT SET INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY APPRAISALS. I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO CONTINUE. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR THE REST OF WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IN YOUR PROPOSED SOLUTION. OKAY. THE CITY COUNCIL DOES NOT SET INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY APPRAISALS, WHICH I KNOW THAT THAT'S THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT RESPONSIBILITY. BUT THE CITY DOES DETERMINE HOW MUCH TAX REVENUE IT COLLECTS THROUGH THAT TAX RATE. AND WHEN APPRAISAL VALUES ARE DISTRIBUTED UNEVENLY, THE BURDEN CAN BE DISTRIBUTED UNEVENLY. FOR FAIR TAXATION REQUIRES MORE THAN GETTING THE AVERAGE RIGHT. IT REQUIRES GETTING THE INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYER RIGHT. SO MY REQUEST TODAY IS SIMPLE DON'T DISMISS THESE NUMBERS. STUDY THEM, EXPLAIN THEM. USE THEM TO IDENTIFY WHERE APPRAISAL EQUITY CAN BE IMPROVED. BECAUSE MIDLAND TAXPAYERS AREN'T ASKING FOR SPECIAL TREATMENT, THEY'RE ASKING FOR EQUAL TREATMENT. AND WHEN IT COMES TO PROPERTY TAXES, FAIRNESS ISN'T A FAVOR TO THE TAXPAYER. IT'S A STANDARD THE SYSTEM SHOULD STRIVE TO ACHIEVE. ONE OTHER NOTE THAT I'D LIKE TO JUST SHOW YOU I. IF I HAD A SLIDE, I WOULD. I GOT IT ON. WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT THAT COEFFICIENT OF DISPERSION. OKAY. IT HAS TO BE WITHIN TEN PLUS OR -10%. SO YOU'VE GOT SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE, WHICH THEY DO PRETTY WELL. IT'S 9.82. BUT THAT ONLY TELLS YOU THAT 65.14% ARE COVERED UNDER THAT GUIDELINES. YOU'VE GOT MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTS, WHICH WOULD BE APARTMENT COMPLEXES, 14.37, WHICH IS 40.74%. YOU GOT VACANT LOTS 45.11, 9.9%. CAN YOU SEND THIS TO US? BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO STUDY THIS FURTHER. AND I, I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'RE BRINGING UP HERE. I, I THINK THAT THIS DOES BEAR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. AND I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE SOME CONVERSATIONS AS A COMMUNITY. MY MY QUESTION IS, IS WHO WITH? WE HAVE A MEMBER OF THE SCHOOL, A MEMBER OF THE CITY ON THE BOARD. I WENT TO MCAT. I SAT THERE THROUGH THEIR MEETING, AND I GAVE THEM THE SAME DEAL. WHO WITH THE CITY AUDITS MCAT TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE DOING A PROPER JOB OF COLLECTING THE TAXES THAT ARE DUE BASED ON WHAT Y'ALL HAVE TO WORK WITH. THE OTHER THING IS, IS. IT JUST I LISTENED TO THE CHIEF APPRAISER GIVE A PRESENTATION TO THEM, WHICH MADE ME START LOOKING AT THIS. AND BASICALLY SHE TOLD ME THEY HAD NO WAY THAT THEY COULD GO MARKET VALUE BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE PB OR THE MLS. THEY DON'T HAVE THAT. SO THEY'RE BASICALLY JUST SCATTER SHOOTING. SO IT TELLS ME THAT WE GOT A LOT OF PROPERTIES OUT THERE THAT'S NOT BEING TAXED LIKE THEY OUGHT TO BE TAXED. I THANK YOU FOR IF YOU WOULD SEND THOSE OVER TO US, AND I THINK WE NEED SOME MORE. THERE'S A REALLY GOOD PERMIAN PRESS ARTICLE. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU SAW IT. THAT WAS IT'S ALL TIED TOGETHER. YEAH, IT'S REALLY GOOD. I COMPLETELY AGREE, BUT I THINK THERE'S PROPERTIES THAT ARE NOT BEING TAXED. I MEAN, YOU TAKE A VACANT LOT THAT A GUY BOUGHT FOR $1,000.10 YEARS AGO. AND TODAY THE MARKET VALUE IS WHAT. YEAH. I MEAN, WE'RE ALL BEING TAXED ON MARKET VALUE AND THAT'S WHAT WE OUGHT TO BE TAXED ON. YEAH. WELL THANK YOU VERY MUCH. PLEASE DO EMAIL THOSE TO US AND WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT IT. TO THE EXTENT THAT WE HAVE ANYTHING TO DO ABOUT IT. OKAY. THAT CONCLUDES OUR PUBLIC COMMENT. SO I'LL CLOSE OUR PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, AND WE'LL COME BACK TO MAKING THE REST OF OUR APPOINTMENTS TO VARIOUS BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, I BELIEVE. HAVE YOU GUYS HAD A CHANCE TO COMPILE THOSE? SO WE HAVE A SLATE OF THE THE MOST VOTE GETTERS. I DON'T KNOW THE PROPER WAY TO SAY THAT, BUT IF YOU WOULD GIVE US THOSE AND WE CAN VOTE ON THEM INDIVIDUALLY, I THINK WOULD BE APPROPRIATE SINCE THESE ARE GOING TO BE AN INDIVIDUAL SLATE. OKAY. SO WE'LL START WITH THE AIRPORT PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD. WE HAVE THREE VACANCIES. SO THE FIRST APPOINTMENT WOULD BE CHRISTINA RENTERIA. CHRISTINA RENTERIA. LET'S DO YOU WANT TO DO THEM AS A SLATE THOUGH. LET'S DO THAT. OKAY. SO CHRISTINA, DO WE HAVE THREE? YES. OKAY. BARRETT BOWL. OKAY. AND BERNADETTE GRANGER. SO WE HAVE THOSE AS OUR SLATE FOR THE AIRPORT PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD. DO WE HAVE A MOTION? I'LL MAKE A MOTION. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILWOMAN POOL. WE HAVE A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN LADD. IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR I, I ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES 6 TO 0. THANK YOU. WE'LL MOVE FORWARD TO THE ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY COMMISSION. AND WE HAVE TWO VACANCIES. BUT ONE OF THOSE IS A VETERINARIAN WHICH DID NOT APPLY. SO WE'LL ONLY HAVE ONE TO FILL TODAY. RIGHT. AND THAT APPOINTMENT WOULD GO TO KELLY HENSLEY. OKAY. SO WE HAVE A NOMINATION OF KELLY HENSLEY. DO WE HAVE THAT IN THE [02:25:02] FORM OF A MOTION? SO MOVED A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN LADD, A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN STUBBS. IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE. I, I ANY OPPOSED? ALL RIGHT. MOTION CARRIES 6 TO 0. OKAY. WE HAVE NO VACANCIES FOR THE CONVENTION CENTER, SO WE'LL MOVE FORWARD TO THE CITIZEN DEVELOPMENT HOTEL MOTEL ADVISORY BOARD. AND WE HAVE THREE VACANCIES. ONE MUST BE A HOTELIER. YES. SO FOR THE HOTEL YEAR POSITION, ADRIAN VILLALOBOS, THE SECOND POSITION, MARY SERGIO, THE THIRD POSITION, ADAM LAWLESS. OKAY, SO WE HAVE NOMINATIONS OF ADRIAN VILLALOBOS, MARY CIRCO, AND ADAM WALLACE. I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THAT. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILWOMAN POOL. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. WE HAVE A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN LADD. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? I, I ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES 6 TO 0. OKAY. WE'LL MOVE FORWARD TO THE MIDLAND HOUSING AUTHORITY COMMISSION. WE HAVE ONE VACANCY. MUST BE A RESIDENT. AND WE'VE CONFIRMED THAT, YES, WE HAVE SOME OF THOSE. YES. AND MARIE RIDENOUR RECEIVED THE MOST VOTES. OKAY. SO WE HAVE MARIE RENARD, WHO HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR THAT SEAT. IS THERE A MOTION? SO MOVED. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN LADD, SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN NORMAN. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? I, I ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES 6 TO 0. OKAY. WE'LL MOVE FORWARD TO THE MIDLAND ODESSA URBAN TRANSIT DISTRICT BOARD, WHICH IS OUR PUBLIC TRANSIT. WE HAVE ONE VACANCY. WELL, YEAH. OKAY. SORRY. APPOINTMENTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE. YES. SO ONE VACANCY AND INDIVIDUAL RECEIVING THE MOST VOTES. I APOLOGIZE IF I INCORRECTLY SAY THIS NAME. I'D G. A A DGOD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, I APPRECIATE THAT. RECEIVED THE MOST VOTES. ALL RIGHT. SO WE HAVE THIS PERSON HAS BEEN NOMINATED. DO WE HAVE THAT IN THE FORM OF A MOTION. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN STUBBS AND A SECOND FROM COUNCILWOMAN POOL. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR I, I. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 6 TO 0. OKAY. THEN WE'LL MOVE FORWARD TO THE MIDLAND SPACEPORT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. WE HAVE ONE VACANCY. JEFF GASH WAS THE ONE WHO RECEIVED THE MOST VOTES. JEFF GASH RECEIVED THE MOST VOTES. DO WE HAVE THAT IN THE FORM OF A MOTION? SO WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN STUBBS. DO WE HAVE A SECOND, SECOND, SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN LAD? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 6 TO 0. OKAY. WE HAVE NO VACANCIES ON THE OIL AND GAS ADVISORY COMMITTEE. WE HAVE ONE VACANCY ON PARKS AND REC. MARK WALTERS RECEIVED THE MOST VOTES. MARK WALTERS, DO WE HAVE THAT IN THE FORM OF A MOTION? I'LL MAKE A MOTION. ROBIN POOL HAS MOVED TO APPOINT MARK WALTERS. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? WE HAVE A SECOND FROM COUNCILWOMAN BURKS. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? I, I ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 6 TO 0. THANK YOU. AND THEN ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AND AIRPORT ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT. WE HAVE TWO VACANCIES. VACANCY THAT RECEIVED OR THE INDIVIDUAL RECEIVED THE MOST VOTES FOR THE FULL MEMBERSHIP SEAT IS ADRIAN VASQUEZ AND ALTERNATE RUTH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. OKAY, SO WE HAVE ADRIAN VASQUEZ AS THE THE MAIN SEAT AND THEN RUTH PINEDO AS THE ALTERNATE. DO WE HAVE THAT IN THE FORM OF A MOTION? COUNCILMAN NORMAN MADE THE MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. WE HAVE A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN STUBBS. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? I, I ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 6 TO 0. AWESOME. OKAY. I'M SO GLAD THAT THE ATTENDANCE HAS BECOME SO MUCH MORE CLEAR. THANK YOU ALL FOR THE WAY THAT Y'ALL COMMUNICATED THAT WITH US. IT'S MUCH EASIER. AND RACHEL, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK ON BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS TO REALLY STREAMLINE THINGS. YEP. IT'S [EXECUTIVE SESSION] BEEN AWESOME. FOR SURE. AWESOME. OKAY, LET'S MOVE FORWARD TO EXECUTIVE SESSION NUMBER 32, PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 551101, THE CITY COUNCIL WILL HOLD AN EXECUTIVE SESSION WHICH IS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC TO DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING MATTERS AS PERMITTED UNDER THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, SECTION 551071 CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY WILL DISCUSS MATTERS IN WHICH THE DUTY OF THE ATTORNEY TO THE GOVERNMENTAL BODY UNDER THE TEXAS DISCIPLINARY RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT OF THE STATE BAR OF TEXAS, CLEARLY CONFLICT WITH CHAPTER FIVE FIVE, ONE OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE DISCUSS PENDING AND CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION. SECTION 551072 DELIBERATION REGARDING REAL PROPERTY. DISCUSS THE PURCHASE, EXCHANGE, LEASE OR VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY. SECTION 551074 PERSONNEL MATTERS DELIBERATE THE EMPLOYMENT EVALUATION AND DUTIES OF THE CITY MANAGER, [02:30:04] CITY ATTORNEY, CITY SECRETARY, MUNICIPAL COURT. PRESIDING JUDGE, MUNICIPAL COURT. ASSOCIATE JUDGE. SECTION 551087 DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS. DISCUSS BUSINESS PROSPECTS OF THE CITY. SEEKS TO HAVE LOCATE, STAY OR EXPAND IN OR NEAR THE CITY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS, AND DISCUSS POSSIBLE INCENTIVES. AND WITH THAT, WE STA * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.