Events · narrative timelines of City government
City Hall,
in order.
Each storyline follows one City of Amarillo issue, such as the utility billing system, the landfill or a water deal, from the first contract, vote or report to today. Every event is dated and linked to the public record it comes from.
36
Storylines
One issue each, start to now. Read one top to bottom like a case file. Browse
708
Dated events
Votes, contracts, reports and rulings, plus 18 scheduled ones. See all
899
Sources cited
Minutes, filings, budgets and news, each linked. Facts only: no event says why something happened. Method
Every storyline at a glance
Each dot is an event. Hover for the date and title; click to open it.
- Public swimming pools 22
- Osage Water Treatment Plant: filter, basin and chlorine rehabilitation (2001-2026) 15
- CRMWA II pipeline 22
- Certificates of obligation 22
- Downtown TIRZ #1 & LGC 29
- Red-light cameras 14
- City landfill 34
- Downtown hotel & ballpark 24
- Utility billing transition 30
- Amarillo's drainage utility, drainage revenue bonds and stormwater projects (2012-2026) 15
- City manager turnover 17
- Amarillo animal shelter operations, evaluation and cost recovery (2024-2026) 21
- Amarillo 311 10
- AEDC & the vet school 16
- Property tax & voter debt 17
- New City Hall 22
- Civic Center financing 30
- City software transition 23
- Sewer overflows & repairs 21
- Amarillo's dangerous-structure demolitions and the in-house demolition program (2017-2026) 11
- AEDC land deals and incentive agreements approved by the City Council (2019-2026) 18
- Amarillo Public Health's COVID-19 grant funding and spending (2020-2026) 17
- ARPA recovery funds 34
- Wastewater plants & rates 20
- The November 2024 Amarillo City Charter amendment election (2024-2025) 16
- Rezoning land beside the Amazon fulfillment center for industrial use, and other October 2026 rezonings (2020-2026) 17
- AEDC payment to The Range 25
- Flock cameras 16
- The citizen-initiated "Sanctuary City for the Unborn" ordinance and Proposition A (2023-2026) 16
- City Council votes on alcohol-sales variances and specific use permits (2021-2026) 13
- City purchase and resale of 501-517 S. Grant Street (2022-2026) 5
- Proposed requirement to microchip dogs and cats in Amarillo (2025-2026) 13
- Forensic audit 18
- Emma, the City of Amarillo's website digital human (2023-2026) 16
- Project Matador 35
- Fermi water agreement 14
Event Scheduled TodayYears before 2016 and after 2027 are compressed at the edges.
Coming up
Scheduled dates: meetings, deadlines and targets. Each is updated once it happens.
Date passed · awaiting update
Third-party audit report expectedDate passed · awaiting update
CRMWA board regular meeting scheduled in PlainviewDate passed · awaiting update
Advisory board meets with a microchipping ordinance update and managed intake on the agendaProposed requirement to microchip dogs and cats in Amarillo (2025-2026)
- Planning and Zoning Commission to consider a waiver and variance for the Bellamy Park preliminary plan (51.94 acres)
- Second and final readings of the October 2026 rezoning ordinances scheduled
- Second and final reading of the Town Square alcohol-use change scheduled
City Council votes on alcohol-sales variances and specific use permits (2021-2026)
- Consultant's water and sewer rate study expected back at an October 2026 council meeting
- Audit committee expected to recommend forensic-audit scope and firms
- Extended closing date for the TensorWave lease
- Draft microchipping ordinance expected to return to the council
Proposed requirement to microchip dogs and cats in Amarillo (2025-2026)
- Staff to return to council with options for Emma and the $49,500 in ARPA funds
Emma, the City of Amarillo's website digital human (2023-2026)
- Phase II basin construction window (November 2026 - February 2027)
Osage Water Treatment Plant: filter, basin and chlorine rehabilitation (2001-2026)
- Kennel renovation completion anticipated
Amarillo animal shelter operations, evaluation and cost recovery (2024-2026)
- Federal deadline to spend ARPA recovery funds
- Deadline for Texas Tech's notice to proceed and Fermi's $9 million lease escrow
- Deadline for Fermi to complete and dedicate the water improvements
- Expected: CRMWA issues debt to build CRMWA II (MOU target 2034)
- Expected: CRMWA II operational by the end of 2038 (MOU target)
Find events
Filters apply to the storylines, the map above and the full list below.
- Budget & taxes 106
- Debt & financing 92
- Utility rates & billing 45
- Water & sewer 138
- Environment & regulation 49
- Landfill & solid waste 40
- Parks & pools 36
- Downtown & development 185
- City buildings 63
- Construction & streets 120
- Contracts & procurement 97
- Technology 80
- Leadership & governance 148
- Votes & elections 157
- Audits & oversight 62
- Federal & state funds 65
- Courts & law 20
- Animals & shelter 34
- Public health 17
- Public safety 52
Storylines
Most recently active first. A storyline is a chronology, not an argument.
No storyline has events matching these filters.
- 17 eventsJun 2015 – Oct 13, 2026
City manager turnover
Amarillo city manager turnover (2015-2026)
Since 2023 Amarillo has cycled through city managers: Jared Miller was fired without cause (2023), two interims served (Freeman, then Hartman), Grayson Path was hired (2024) and resigned (2026), and Freeman returned as acting manager.
- Latest
- Oct 13, 2026 · October 13 council agenda lists a closed-session discussion of an interim city manager
- 30 eventsNov 2016 – Oct 13, 2026
Civic Center financing
Financing the Amarillo Civic Center expansion and renovation (2016-2026)
In November 2016 Amarillo voters rejected a Civic Center expansion bond proposition while approving street and public-safety bonds.
- Latest
- Oct 13, 2026 · Council approves a $724,013.31 Civic Center Complex network upgrade on consent
- 18 eventsFeb 21, 2023 – Oct 2026
Forensic audit
Amarillo's move toward a third-party forensic audit of City financial records (2022-2026)
The City's annual audited financial reports for fiscal years 2022-2024 each restated beginning balances, and the City moved to new financial software in January 2025.
- Latest
- Oct 13, 2026 · Mayor reports 13 firms answered the forensic audit RFQ; audit committee interviewing the top five
- Next
- Oct 2026 · Audit committee expected to recommend forensic-audit scope and firms
- 34 eventsMay 2020 – Dec 31, 2026
ARPA recovery funds
Amarillo's $39.7 million in American Rescue Plan Act recovery funds (2021-2026)
The City of Amarillo was allocated $39,676,317 in Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds under the American Rescue Plan Act, received in two halves on May 19, 2021 and June 6, 2022.
- Latest
- Oct 13, 2026 · Council agenda lists a $49,500 ARPA-funded renewal for the City website's digital assistant
- Next
- Dec 31, 2026 · Federal deadline to spend ARPA recovery funds
- 21 eventsFeb 28, 2017 – Oct 13, 2026
Sewer overflows & repairs
Amarillo's sewer collection system: reported overflows and main and lift station work (2017-2026)
Amarillo's wastewater collection system (sewer mains, manholes and lift stations) has had a series of reported overflows of untreated wastewater.
- Latest
- Oct 13, 2026 · Council approves a $320,000 transfer and $319,260 HDR design contract for Lift Station 19
- 13 eventsSep 27, 2022 – about Nov 2026
Proposed requirement to microchip dogs and cats in Amarillo (2025-2026)
Proposed requirement to microchip dogs and cats in Amarillo (2025-2026)
In April 2025 the City's Animal Management & Welfare Advisory Board discussed pet registration and mandatory microchipping; the department director reported that most Texas cities with mandatory registration had repealed it and many had adopted microchipping requirements instead.
- Latest
- Oct 13, 2026 · Council discusses the microchipping recommendation; no vote, draft ordinance requested
- Next
- about Nov 2026 · Draft microchipping ordinance expected to return to the council
- 16 eventsAug 1, 2023 – Nov 2026
Emma, the City of Amarillo's website digital human (2023-2026)
Emma, the City of Amarillo's website digital human (2023-2026)
On August 1, 2023 the City Council voted 5-0 to award Dell Technologies a contract not to exceed $582,948.89 to develop a "digital human" and associated AI and "knowledge fabric" for the City website, digital literacy and 311 functions.
- Latest
- Oct 13, 2026 · Council pulls the $49,500 Emma renewal from consent and takes no action
- Next
- Nov 2026 · Staff to return to council with options for Emma and the $49,500 in ARPA funds
- 11 eventsMar 2017 – Oct 13, 2026
Amarillo's dangerous-structure demolitions and the in-house demolition program (2017-2026)
Amarillo's dangerous-structure demolitions and the in-house demolition program (2017-2026)
The City of Amarillo's City Marshal's Office, created in 2023, identifies dangerous structures and brings cases to the Condemnation Appeals Commission, which can order demolition; demolitions were bid out to contractors.
- Latest
- Oct 13, 2026 · Council awards $59,505 to Howell Sand to clear 715 N. Dallas
- 17 eventsNov 9, 2020 – Oct 27, 2026
Rezoning land beside the Amazon fulfillment center for industrial use, and other October 2026 rezonings (2020-2026)
Rezoning land beside the Amazon fulfillment center for industrial use, and other October 2026 rezonings (2020-2026)
In November and December 2020 the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council rezoned 110.39 acres at N.E. 24th Avenue and Loop 335, owned by Happy Horizons Properties L.P., from Agricultural to Light Industrial for a planned 1.3 million square foot distribution warehouse.
- Latest
- Oct 13, 2026 · Council passes four residential rezonings and a Town Square alcohol-use change on first reading
- Next
- Oct 19, 2026 · Planning and Zoning Commission to consider a waiver and variance for the Bellamy Park preliminary plan (51.94 acres)
- 13 eventsOct 12, 2021 – Oct 27, 2026
City Council votes on alcohol-sales variances and specific use permits (2021-2026)
City Council votes on alcohol-sales variances and specific use permits (2021-2026)
Amarillo bars alcohol sales within 300 feet of a public or private school unless the City Council grants a variance under Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 109.33(e), and the zoning code requires a specific use permit for some alcohol uses in some districts.
- Latest
- Oct 13, 2026 · Council passes a Town Square alcohol-use change (Ordinance No. 8273), 3-2, on first reading
- Next
- Oct 27, 2026 · Second and final reading of the Town Square alcohol-use change scheduled
- 30 eventsJul 25, 2012 – Oct 8, 2026
Utility billing transition
Amarillo's utility billing transition and the 2026 billing crisis
The City replaced both its water meters (AMI smart meters: a consulting contract in July 2018, a 4% rate increase in the FY2019/20 budget to repay the financing, installation from 2021) and its utility billing software (enQuesta, contracted 2024, live March 31 2026).
- Latest
- Oct 8, 2026 · Billing audit results not yet released; results expected later in October
- 5 eventsSep 13, 2022 – about Oct 2026
City purchase and resale of 501-517 S. Grant Street (2022-2026)
City purchase and resale of 501-517 S. Grant Street (2022-2026)
On September 13, 2022 the Amarillo City Council voted 4-1 to buy buildings and land at 501, 509 and 517 S.
- Latest
- about Oct 2026 · Commercial listing advertises 501, 509 and 517 S. Grant for sale at $1,425,000
- 34 eventsAug 22, 2007 – Oct 6, 2026
City landfill
City of Amarillo landfill: permit, cell construction, gas system, fees and the May 2026 fire (2007-2026)
The City of Amarillo owns and operates a 662-acre landfill at 16250 Bezner Drive under a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) permit amended on August 22, 2007.
- Latest
- Oct 6, 2026 · State Fire Marshal's Office classifies the landfill fire cause as undetermined
- 17 eventsNov 8, 2016 – Sep 29, 2026
Property tax & voter debt
Amarillo's property tax rate and voter-approved debt (2016-2026)
Each year the Amarillo City Council adopts a property tax rate made of a maintenance-and-operations (M&O) part and a debt-service (interest-and-sinking, I&S) part.
- Latest
- Sep 29, 2026 · FY2026/27 rate adopted at $0.43070 (4-1)
- 20 eventsOct 1, 2020 – Oct 2026
Wastewater plants & rates
Amarillo's wastewater plants: failures, enforcement, expansion financing and rate increases (2022-2026)
Amarillo treats wastewater at two plants: Hollywood Road (south, 12 MGD) and River Road (north).
- Latest
- Sep 29, 2026 · FY2026/27 budget adopted with an 11% water and sewer fee increase
- Next
- Oct 2026 · Consultant's water and sewer rate study expected back at an October 2026 council meeting
- 14 eventsJun 27, 2025 – Jan 2027
Fermi water agreement
City of Amarillo water supply agreement with Fermi America (2025-2026)
Fermi America is developing an energy and data-center campus ("Project Matador") on Texas Tech University System land next to Pantex in Carson County, outside Amarillo city limits (see the Project Matador storyline for the lease, county, state and federal approvals).
- Latest
- Sep 29, 2026 · Fermi agreement raised at the FY2026/27 budget hearing on water and sewer fees
- Next
- Jan 2027 · Deadline for Fermi to complete and dedicate the water improvements
- 21 eventsMar 18, 2016 – about Dec 2026
Amarillo animal shelter operations, evaluation and cost recovery (2024-2026)
Amarillo animal shelter operations, evaluation and cost recovery (2024-2026)
In January 2024 the City of Amarillo's Animal Management & Welfare (AM&W) department told its advisory board it was retaining Animal Shelter Services for a third-party comprehensive shelter evaluation, to be used in building a long-term strategic plan; the contractor's on-site evaluation took place May 10-13, 2024, and the City's check register shows $38,500 paid to the firm in 2024.
- Latest
- Sep 29, 2026 · FY2026/27 budget: $4.49 million for Animal Management & Welfare
- Next
- about Dec 2026 · Kennel renovation completion anticipated
- 23 eventsJan 3, 2017 – Sep 24, 2026
City software transition
Amarillo's enterprise software transition: Tyler Munis and EnerGov to Workday and MGO (2017-2026)
In January 2017 Tyler Technologies announced a software-as-a-service agreement with the City of Amarillo for its Munis ERP and EnerGov permitting products; EnerGov went live in 2021.
- Latest
- Sep 24, 2026 · Proposed FY2026/27 budget includes Workday invoice requests and an MGO Connect transition goal
- 22 events1931 – about Sep 2026
Public swimming pools
Amarillo's public swimming pools: the Thompson Park Pool replacement and the Southwest and Southeast pool closures (2018-2026)
In December 2018 the City of Amarillo closed Thompson Park Pool, its oldest public pool (opened 1931), citing inspection findings of deteriorating concrete and steel, corrosion and leaks.
- Latest
- about Sep 2026 · FY 2026-27 budget: Southeast and Southwest pools closed for 2026 pending a third-party study
- 22 eventsDec 2001 – about Dec 2038
CRMWA II pipeline
CRMWA II: the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority's proposed second groundwater pipeline (2012-2038)
CRMWA II is a proposed second pipeline of about 70 miles (67 miles in the 2026 Panhandle Water Plan) to carry groundwater from the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority's Roberts County well field to its 11 member cities, including Amarillo.
- Latest
- Sep 24, 2026 · FY2026/27 budget book raises the City's CRMWA payment line to $14.2 million
- Next
- about 2034 · Expected: CRMWA issues debt to build CRMWA II (MOU target 2034)
- 10 eventsJun 28, 2016 – Sep 24, 2026
Amarillo 311
Amarillo 311: from a proposed non-emergency line (2016) to the Utility Billing contact center (2026)
In June 2016 the City Council approved technology for a proposed 311 non-emergency system, proposed by Councilmember Mark Nair to take non-emergency calls off 911; a preliminary version was targeted for October 2016.
- Latest
- Sep 24, 2026 · FY2026/27 budget describes the "Amarillo 311 Contact Center" in Utility Billing
- 29 eventsDec 19, 2006 – Sep 22, 2026
Downtown TIRZ #1 & LGC
Downtown TIRZ #1 and Local Government Corporation financing (2006-2026)
The City Council created Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #1 (downtown) by Ordinance No. 7012 on December 19, 2006, with a December 31, 2036 end date, and approved its project and financing plan in November 2007.
- Latest
- Sep 22, 2026 · Council approves a replacement $120,000 TIRZ #1 agreement for the First Responders Memorial
- 35 eventsMay 14, 2025 – Dec 31, 2026
Project Matador
Project Matador: Texas Tech land lease, county incentives and state and federal permits (2025-2026)
Fermi America (Fermi Inc.) is developing "Project Matador," a planned gas, nuclear and solar power and data-center campus on Texas Tech University System land next to the Pantex Plant in Carson County, northeast of Amarillo and outside city limits.
- Latest
- Sep 22, 2026 · Fermi and TensorWave extend the lease closing date to October 31, 2026
- Next
- Oct 31, 2026 · Extended closing date for the TensorWave lease
- 18 eventsJun 11, 2019 – Sep 22, 2026
AEDC land deals and incentive agreements approved by the City Council (2019-2026)
AEDC land deals and incentive agreements approved by the City Council (2019-2026)
The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC), funded by a half-cent sales tax, buys and conveys land and signs location incentive agreements that the City Council approves.
- Latest
- Sep 22, 2026 · City Council votes 5-0 on AEDC purchase of 51.45 acres from Cooper Crouse-Hinds for $1,080,000
- 15 eventsJul 2001 – Feb 28, 2027
Osage Water Treatment Plant: filter, basin and chlorine rehabilitation (2001-2026)
Osage Water Treatment Plant: filter, basin and chlorine rehabilitation (2001-2026)
The Osage Water Treatment Plant is the City of Amarillo's surface-water treatment plant, treating CRMWA water from Lake Meredith and the Roberts County well field; the City lists its treatment capacity as 70 million gallons per day.
- Latest
- Sep 22, 2026 · MH Civil Constructors awarded Phase II settling basin repairs ($3,071,000)
- Next
- Nov 2026 – Feb 28, 2027 · Phase II basin construction window (November 2026 - February 2027)
- 15 eventsOct 2012 – Sep 22, 2026
Amarillo's drainage utility, drainage revenue bonds and stormwater projects (2012-2026)
Amarillo's drainage utility, drainage revenue bonds and stormwater projects (2012-2026)
Amarillo began charging a drainage utility fee in October 2012 and has issued debt repaid from drainage fund revenue since then: Series 2012A certificates of obligation and Drainage Utility System Revenue Bonds in 2014, 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2024.
- Latest
- Sep 22, 2026 · $1.35 million transfer and $3.30 million SW 45th and Lamar storm drain award
- 16 eventsApr 13, 2021 – Sep 8, 2026
Flock cameras
Amarillo police license-plate reader cameras and the Flock Safety system (2021-2026)
The Amarillo Police Department bought fixed and mobile Vigilant license plate recognition systems with a federal grant in April 2021.
- Latest
- Sep 8, 2026 · Police chief presents camera policy changes to council; ALPR retention cut to 7 days
- 17 eventsApr 14, 2020 – Jun 30, 2026
Amarillo Public Health's COVID-19 grant funding and spending (2020-2026)
Amarillo Public Health's COVID-19 grant funding and spending (2020-2026)
From April 2020 the City Council accepted a series of COVID-19 grants for the Amarillo Public Health Department, passed through the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) from federal CDC programs: emergency-response and epidemiology funds in 2020, COVID-19 vaccination grants of $99,866 (January 2021), $4,186,684 (April 2021) and $8,572,024 ("Round 4", September 2021, approved 3-1), and workforce, health-equity and contact-tracing grants in August 2021.
- Latest
- Jun 30, 2026 · Fiscal 2025 single audit lists no COVID-19-labeled public health programs
- 24 events2011 – Apr 15, 2026
Downtown hotel & ballpark
Downtown catalyst projects: convention hotel, parking garage and the MPEV ballpark (2011-2026)
In 2011 the City of Amarillo and its Local Government Corporation (LGC) were working with master developer Wallace Bajjali Development Partners on three downtown projects: a convention hotel, a parking garage and a multipurpose event venue (MPEV).
- Latest
- Apr 15, 2026 · TIRZ board approves incentives for a downtown Hampton Inn, citing Hodgetown
- 25 events2021 – Mar 26, 2026
AEDC payment to The Range
AEDC's $750,000 payment to The Range and the resulting inquiry (2022-2026)
The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation, a city-chartered corporation, budgeted $100,000 for membership in The Range (then the Amarillo Global Food Hub) in August 2022 (one report dates the commitment to 2021).
- Latest
- Mar 26, 2026 · Dr. Andreas Eckstein named permanent AEDC president/CEO
- 22 events2003 – Mar 10, 2026
Certificates of obligation
Amarillo's certificates of obligation (2017-2026)
Certificates of obligation (COs) are debt a Texas city council can authorize without an election after publishing notice; under Local Government Code section 271.049 a petition signed by 5% of qualified voters before authorization forces an election.
- Latest
- Mar 10, 2026 · Council approves Series 2026A COs for streets and a Colonies park
- 16 eventsSep 20, 2016 – about Jan 2026
AEDC & the vet school
AEDC incentive commitment to the Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine (2016-2026)
In September 2016 the Amarillo City Council endorsed a $15 million Amarillo Economic Development Corporation grant to the Texas Tech University System for a proposed veterinary school, payable at $1.5 million a year for 10 years.
- Latest
- about Jan 2026 · AEDC pays off the remaining Texas Tech commitment, according to the City's FY2025 audit
- 16 eventsMay 25, 2021 – about Sep 2025
The citizen-initiated "Sanctuary City for the Unborn" ordinance and Proposition A (2023-2026)
The citizen-initiated "Sanctuary City for the Unborn" ordinance and Proposition A (2023-2026)
The Amarillo City Council discussed local abortion-related ordinances in October and December 2023 without adopting one.
- Latest
- about Sep 2025 · State House Bill 7 on abortion-inducing drugs passes the Legislature; Amarillo's ordinance is cited in coverage
- 16 eventsNov 3, 2020 – May 3, 2025
The November 2024 Amarillo City Charter amendment election (2024-2025)
The November 2024 Amarillo City Charter amendment election (2024-2025)
In April 2024 the City Council placed a possible charter amendment election on its agenda.
- Latest
- May 3, 2025 · Mayor and all four council places are on the May 2025 ballot for two-year terms
- 22 eventsNov 2016 – Apr 23, 2025
New City Hall
Moving Amarillo City Hall into the renovated Amarillo Hardware building (2016-2025)
In 2016 voters rejected a municipal-facilities bond proposition.
- Latest
- Apr 23, 2025 · City says the 1966 City Hall will be demolished and the site turned into green space
- 14 events2007 – Aug 29, 2022
Red-light cameras
Amarillo's red-light camera program (2007-2022)
The City of Amarillo operated red-light cameras through a contract with American Traffic Solutions (later reported as Verra Mobility) from about 2007-2008.
- Latest
- Aug 29, 2022 · Red-light cameras turned off at end of contract
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