[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6549550,"mediaKeyId","5448758-a87d18aae2977ef95f32a1ddeb260fe6","parentId",5448758,"title","Parks and Recreation reports strong participation for 'Independence Day plus one'; council signals preference for July 4 celebration in 2026","audioSeconds",1163,"startMs",1706000,"endMs",2869000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448758-a87d18aae2977ef95f32a1ddeb260fe6&start=1706&end=2869","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448758-a87d18aae2977ef95f32a1ddeb260fe6/thumbnail_1706000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6549550/Amarillo/Potter-County/Texas/Parks-and-Recreation-reports-strong-participation-for-Independence-Day-plus-one-council-signals-preference-for-July-4-celebration-in-2026","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6549550-1d7896f90a2804635479d453a6bd975f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770612400&Signature=M7~P8qr4iDSnh5bZDRZztzmtuRjxQ3WdJk6caumgF4xGEV~1iRgQywRz434dNLe7cOXZfdYQX9M0yab-9i95X9k1S547kptZyJ2jndyB45qwxTXbQ98uNgBTvA6zAdUlgFBRjLL0O~OX2aTQRZKw6Sroj~wwKlknt7zkxvLTFq2-AKZUfPgdcRcRlXZzjsVP95Olp8eUI4BqD~WTPcp9U5bJ8-5BoBM9-13ifKmwQseJSsKfBPC2EIfrTUBN7uEUbMIy0G4GY8lpFSzMByQWKIScegBS8ox1XEc4Kq7AQfuULJ2J9jrxJqXmmA8Z~a6o~DRdAmoAqlQMIqIujrLfvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Amarillo","date","2025-07-22T00:00:00Z","article","Parks and Recreation staff reviewed results and lessons learned from the department’s second annual “Independence Day plus one” celebration at Bell Park and recommended planning refinements for next year.

Director Michael Kasheba told council that sponsorships more than doubled from the first year, that food-truck sales indicated strong local vendor revenue (food-truck operators reported record sales), and that transit shuttles carried over 1,100 passenger trips. The event included three concerts, a drone show, a larger kids’ zone and a new cornhole tournament; staff reported social-media impressions in the tens of thousands and vendor sales exceeding $100,000 in aggregate.

Why it matters: councilors said the event draws large, cross-demographic crowds and supports local vendors and community partners. Staff proposed slow, sustainable expansion — more family activities, ADA improvements and additional athletic or parade elements — rather than rapid growth.

Date direction: staff presented pros and cons for holding the event on July 3, July 4, July 5 or a consistent date each year. Most council members favored moving the event to July 4 for 2026 (the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence), acknowledging higher costs and increased vendor and fireworks demand but preferring the clarity and tradition of the historic date. Council asked staff to explore multi-year procurement to reduce future costs and to return with a proposed budget for expanded attractions, including a larger Ferris wheel and larger kids zone.

Next steps: Parks and Recreation will return budget estimates and procurement options for council consideration and pursue improved ADA circulation and transit routing tied to new parking and connector road projects at Bell Park.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Amarillo - City Council Regular Meeting - Jul 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Parks and Recreation staff told the council on July 22 that the city’s second annual Independence Day plus one celebration saw higher sponsorship, more vendor revenue and robust attendance, and most councilors signaled they prefer moving the event to July 4 in 2026.","taxTitle","Amarillo, Potter County, Texas","taxId",2812,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6549555,"AEDC interim director reports increase in inquiries; council discusses filling a vacant board seat",390,4757000,4367000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448758-a87d18aae2977ef95f32a1ddeb260fe6&start=4757&end=4367","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448758-a87d18aae2977ef95f32a1ddeb260fe6/thumbnail_4757000.jpg","/articles/6549555/Amarillo/Potter-County/Texas/AEDC-interim-director-reports-increase-in-inquiries-council-discusses-filling-a-vacant-board-seat","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6549555-932529d16d10c219ebc8c5145b1d28c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770612400&Signature=jGY2ZZA-aIJ8O-HyZ-AAHTsr6-oN8XQjzXT2PdhDBSQIZledb1fuU0R2AfImG6pAXZkKcCDdhvBtT~Y4LAazXQ~5ohyEA9gEKHPhT0mzpC7JCUwSHgJycVlBC8VNwkfeWs0P1HGNk7P~8Bpb-U-8ZLlLAMsz6f7QfYMEhHFQeGQwN2xiBW7quxzRLP-tPzVavw63rOgmhBlXYmuOIMPlaxhh1C22ksP3c3-Ll7ALu~2A6Bx~6P4KpYq1SUsSWayGdZg7Z6jRVD9657DcAPBA8-1EGUbQD2Q2W5-VjowaRlO0uFSAh2uM6WzSHDp6mlraoYdPUJU1ONaQUnRYMP7TYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) reported stronger project activity at the council’s July 22 meeting and asked the council to appoint a new board member before AEDC’s August board meeting.

Interim AEDC Director Doug Nelson said the organization handled 11 inquiries and has eight active potential projects in the most recent quarter, and he described three projects currently under construction: Sage OilVac (a $12 million facility), Coast Packing (about $30 million) and an expansion by Austin Hoses (about $20 million). Nelson said the organization expects additional land transactions and remains focused on stabilizing leadership and recruiting a permanent AEDC executive.

Why it matters: council members said a full board and stability are critical for deal flow and for working with a search firm to recruit an executive director. The council discussed priorities for the vacant seat — suggestions included business owners with multi-state experience, banking/finance expertise or contractors with local construction experience — and agreed to consider nominations and meet for a special session on an upcoming Friday to make the appointment if possible.

Council guidance: members emphasized institutional knowledge, business leadership and the ability to contribute to search and recruitment for AEDC’s next executive. Several members suggested names for consideration and asked city staff to schedule a special session to vote on an appointment before AEDC’s August meeting if logistics allow.

Next steps: AEDC will hold its August meeting and, if the council appoints a new board member in the planned special session, the board expects to elect officers and issue an RFP for an executive-search firm.","Doug Nelson, interim executive for the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation, told the City Council on July 22 that inquiries and active leads have increased and that the AEDC expects to proceed with recruiting a permanent executive director; the council discussed filling a vacant board seat before AEDC’s August meeting.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6549559,"Council reviews new financial-transparency page; agrees to post three years of archived check registers and modernized reporting going forward",2570,2995000,5565000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448758-a87d18aae2977ef95f32a1ddeb260fe6&start=2995&end=5565","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448758-a87d18aae2977ef95f32a1ddeb260fe6/thumbnail_2995000.jpg","/articles/6549559/Amarillo/Potter-County/Texas/Council-reviews-new-financial-transparency-page-agrees-to-post-three-years-of-archived-check-registers-and-modernized-reporting-going-forward","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6549559-b8919df5bcceb2b7d853f71cd1ae9436/orig.mp4?Expires=1770612400&Signature=MesRWPS3xYoy2v0zocza3CLcBmr88gWzPRkKCst4pM6PjUba0YArbpXDBCDsR9c0TgVU5ZNUwIM7HnX0ugkGo0ztTMS~Cm2K-VeItZJ~jHxl3HA0hZNiAp7lvKZIkRUi1cae3cU5YiPCIIfj1Rpz5Zl~b~gBMFQqNXqUTLhoMQjnZ~0aBBGQVFy6BeJN1hEWWqqUE7Qzp~Lp6Z3G67avE5qkS9FTiW~eo71afMjukXnv5Spk5H05T85-HqklED2gtOeQSE2ZYRyi8UjbL0c~ZYlERTgX27L6~Tp1Q8Ys9OkXFcWDGNE9sH8HgUu~~UuhCCWOqUUBYzpiHRhZK6nztw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Amarillo on July 22 unveiled a redesigned financial-transparency webpage that posts current fiscal-year check registers and a rolling 36 months of archived check-register spreadsheets from prior systems. Laura Storrs, the city’s finance director, said the new page is being built to meet the Texas Comptroller’s Transparency Star program and will include reconciled check-register exports in Excel format.

Why it matters: residents and open-records requesters have pressed for more timely financial access. At the meeting a public commenter raised concerns about past HUD-related theft and requested better public accounting for federal funds; staff and the council spent substantial time addressing controls and how the new site will be used.

What staff said: Storrs said the city can post current check-register data and that general-ledger detail dating back to March 2025 will be available in the modern system. She explained that older systems lack report-customization features needed to produce identical general-ledger exports and that producing full, customized GL data from older systems would require staff hours and possible redaction because of confidential bank-account information.

Public-comment and controls: a resident cited previous criminal convictions of two former employees for stealing HUD funds and asked what safeguards were now in place. City staff said the department completed an internal audit, added a CPA-level accountant to the team, tightened multi-step checks and balances, presented reforms to HUD and federal investigators and will continue to refine controls. Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) members who spoke supported the improvements.

Council direction: councilors generally supported posting three years of archived check registers from prior systems and continuing the enhanced publication of current-year check registers and quarterly GL reporting from March 2025 forward. Staff said older records remain available via public-information request when deeper, customized searches are needed.

What’s next: finance staff will continue improving the transparency page, consider publishing quarterly investment reports and respond to follow-up requests for community-specific datasets.","Finance staff demonstrated a new financial transparency webpage and current check-register posting. Council discussed prior records, redaction limits and HUD-related controls, and agreed to keep 36 months of archived check registers online while providing general-ledger details from March 2025 forward.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6549564,"Amarillo City Council approves investment-policy change, multiple ordinances and contracts; tax-abatement for aerospace expansion",9542,929000,10471000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448758-a87d18aae2977ef95f32a1ddeb260fe6&start=929&end=10471","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448758-a87d18aae2977ef95f32a1ddeb260fe6/thumbnail_929000.jpg","/articles/6549564/Amarillo/Potter-County/Texas/Amarillo-City-Council-approves-investment-policy-change-multiple-ordinances-and-contracts-tax-abatement-for-aerospace-expansion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6549564-314dbd5771fe2b69f0c21b36ec45cbcf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770612400&Signature=LNbOKEwQXHDQbeczrWRGzX~dTtdlrig9-hNYVuMIjW~QPd0ZcZqQ5AqpEB2r25zipRA-S8Gwb~AiCHziVFoZnXhBR07zDLnxVe-J01SKVScXR9KtGFKDy0FhGoVShCfZzZePM6NN-ntw6ggQsX7ZsAczwe0TOh48GVwP9lUmLvCVGG3PjmIjH5DrQPZZJpWkyYYW0pmp1jFxg4IQylHmWsMaJuqvCWS8RO1MFtY6Lw4cfSCNinT0kkHu1Asd8OA39evwJN6AkrorykuHW279xeRPiU8JjYZYuQk-LN6d8V5Wwjv39INYShEBb0pJ-X0yASG6hYLH1Ti5oMhpDSBSeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Amarillo City Council on July 22 unanimously approved a set of routine and higher-profile actions including a change to the city investment policy to align Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) parameters with the city’s rules, multiple zoning and administrative ordinances, two contract awards and a package of incentives for an aerospace company expansion.

The most consequential single economic-development action was the council’s approval of a property-tax abatement and a related location incentive agreement for International Aerospace Coatings (IAC). Council approved an 80% declining abatement on improvements for up to eight years and a payroll-based job incentive that will pay up to $10,000 per new full-time equivalent position (up to 70 FTEs). AEDC and city staff told the council the project involves roughly $27.7 million in new investment and an expected average wage of about $55,000 for the new positions.

Why it matters: the IAC expansion adds a wide-body hangar and capacity for additional aircraft painting and maintenance at the airport, the council heard, and staff presented economic-impact estimates showing net positive revenue for the city and AEDC over a long-run horizon.

Other formal outcomes:
- A resolution updating the city investment policy to permit AEDC investments to follow larger portions of the city policy (longer maturities up to five years, with constraints such as an 80% portfolio target within two years) was adopted.
- The council adopted zoning and development ordinances including a rezoning in the Westcliff subdivision to permit 0-lot-line single-family homes and approved an easement vacation related to the proposed state hospital site.
- The council approved the city’s five-year HUD consolidated plan and the 2025 annual action plan allocating Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME funds, and updated the citizen-participation plan used to gather public input.
- Contracts were awarded for on-call street patching and construction of Fire Station 14; the station will be a two-company facility with shared conference/training space.

The meeting recorded no recorded roll-call tallies in the transcript; motions were carried by unanimous voice votes and the mayor called the motions passed. Where staff provided written ordinance or resolution numbers they were read into the record and placed on the consent or action agenda.

The council proceeded through the agenda without contested roll-call defeats; council also discussed, without formal action, expanded financial-transparency postings and other operational items.","At its July 22 meeting the Amarillo City Council approved an update to the city investment policy for AEDC funds, adopted zoning and other ordinances, awarded public works and fire-station contracts and cleared a tax-abatement package and incentive for International Aerospace Coatings’ expansion at Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parks and Recreation reports strong participation for 'Independence Day plus one'; council signals preference for July 4 celebration in 2026

AEDC interim director reports increase in inquiries; council discusses filling a vacant board seat

Council reviews new financial-transparency page; agrees to post three years of archived check registers and modernized reporting going forward

Amarillo City Council approves investment-policy change, multiple ordinances and contracts; tax-abatement for aerospace expansion