The City of Amarillo (COA) has earned two awards from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for governmental accounting and financial reporting. COA was awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024. In addition, COA was awarded the Popular Annual Financial Reporting (PAFR) Award for the same period. “These awards signify the continued dedication and commitment to financial transparency by the city’s chief financial officer and the entire city financial team,” said City Manager Grayson Path. “Their efforts on behalf of the Amarillo community help ensure informed policy decisions and also help residents understand how public resources are managed.” The ACFR provides a detailed look at the city’s financial performance, including assets, liabilities, revenues and expenditures. According to GFOA standards, the Certificate of Achievement for the ACFR is widely recognized as the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. This marks the 49th time for the City of Amarillo to win the ACFR award. For 14 straight years, COA has earned the PAFR award. The PAFR is an online document/yearbook highlighting city financial data and departments in a quick, convenient format for the public. The PAFR is reviewed by judges evaluating the report based on several categories, including reader appeal, understandability, distribution methods and creativity. To see the COA ACFR and PAFR, go to: amarillo.gov/finance/financial-information/

In an instant, Enrique Aguirre of Amarillo lost five members of his family on Dec. 22, 2021. The family was out looking at Christmas lights when their vehicle was hit head-on by an impaired driver who was later sentenced to 45 years in prison for the fatal accident. Aguirre’s heartbreaking and tragic story is far too common in Amarillo – the problem of impaired driving. “These things occur, and they occur a lot,” Aguirre said during a media and stakeholder briefing this month at the Harrington Cancer and Health Foundation. The event, which included Andrea’s Project, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Amarillo Police Department (APD), highlighted the combined efforts of the Amarillo community to help prevent impaired driving. APD’s participation in this community-wide initiative features the Impaired Driving Enforcement Unit (IDEU), which consists of Unit Commander Sgt. Eric Vaughn and APD officers Chaz Garrison, Micah Heagen, Matthew Dixon and Michael Campbell. Since debuting in September, this unit (devoted solely to impaired driving enforcement) has made a significant impact. The numbers tell the story: From September 18 to December 17 of 2025, IDEU made 242 arrests for impaired driving. There were 130 arrests by APD in the same time period in 2024. From September 18 to December 17 of 2024, APD had 130 impaired driving cases sent for prosecution. Since Sept. 18 of this year (the debut of the IDEU), 242 cases have been sent for prosecution. APD made 513 impaired driving arrests in 2024. As of December 17 of this year, APD already had 652 such arrests. Since the start of APD’s IDEU on September 18, APD ranks first statewide in LEADRS, an online data reporting system that streamlines the DWI report writing for Texas law enforcement officers. The top three officers in the state rankings are

The City of Amarillo (COA) has released a holiday schedule for the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s Day. COA wishes the Amarillo community a happy holiday season. Christmas Week Residential Collection: Thursday routes will be serviced on Wednesday (December 24). Commercial Collection: Thursday routes will be serviced on Wednesday (December 24). Brush Sites: Normal schedule of Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. Landfill: Closed on Thursday (December 25) and will re-open on Friday (December 26). Curbside Service: No curbside service will be available on Thursday (December 25). New Year’s Day Week Residential Collection: Thursday routes will be serviced on Wednesday (December 31). Commercial Collection: Thursday routes will be serviced on Wednesday (December 31). Brush Sites: Normal schedule of Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. Landfill: Closed on Thursday (January 1) and will re-open on Friday (January 2). Curbside Service: No curbside service will be available on Thursday (January 1).

Thomas Hover has accepted a conditional offer for the position of Chief of Police for the City of Amarillo pending the completion of pre-employment requirements. Hover was selected from a field of three finalists. The selection follows a comprehensive recruitment process that included public input, staff feedback, and multiple interview panels. The conditional offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a background investigation and confirmation by the Amarillo City Council at their next meeting on January 13, 2026.  Confirmation by the governing body is a requirement of Chapter 143 of the Texas Local Government Code.  “This appointment reflects a careful evaluation of each finalist’s qualifications, leadership style, and fit for our organization,” said City Manager, Grayson Path. “Input from the community, department staff, and our interview panels provided valuable perspective and affirmed that Mr. Hover’s leadership approach and experience are well suited to the current and future needs of the Amarillo Police Department.” Hover brings more than 25 years of progressive law enforcement experience with the Irving Police Department, where he currently oversees field operations and specialized bureaus. His career includes leadership in community policing initiatives, officer wellness programs, and crisis intervention efforts. He has also served as an incident commander during major public events and emergency responses. Hover earned a Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice from Texas State University and a Master of Applied Liberal Arts – Criminal Justice from Tarleton State University.  A graduate of the FBI National Academy and the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT) Leadership Command College, Hover is recognized for a leadership style that balances data-driven policing with meaningful community engagement. “I am deeply humbled and honored to have been selected as the next Police Chief for the City of Amarillo,” said Hover. “I am grateful to the city leadership for