City of Amarillo Special Advisor Floyd Hartman was presented with the prestigious Beelee Goodwin Public Administrator Award during the 2025 Panhandle Regional Planning Commission (PRPC) Annual Meeting last week at the historic Santa Fe Building Auditorium. Hartman has 30 years of service and experience in local government, including 20 years with the City of Amarillo (COA) in various capacities. He previously announced his upcoming retirement, effective in January. The Beelee Goodwin Public Administrator Award, established in 1992, honors the legacy of the late Beelee K. Goodwin, former City Manager of Friona. Previous winners of the award include the late John Ward, longtime city manager for the City of Amarillo. “This is a tremendous honor, especially when you consider the impressive list of individuals who have won this award in the past,” Hartman said. “It is a privilege to have my name among them and to serve the citizens of Amarillo. This is certainly a highlight of my professional career.” Hartman, Special Advisor to the COA Water and Sewer Utilities team, has long been regarded as an expert on local water issues, not only in Amarillo but across the Texas Panhandle. His extensive career with the city includes roles as assistant city manager and heading the Water Utilities Department and the Capital Projects & Development Engineering Department (CPDE). “This is a well-earned honor for Floyd, whose expertise in water issues has been invaluable to the City of Amarillo for decades,” said COA City Manager Grayson Path. “His guidance and leadership have helped ensure a quality and abundant water source for Amarillo for future generations.” In addition to his many positions with the city through the years, Hartman served as a municipal representative on the Region A Water Planning Group and as Water Utilities representative and chairman of the Region 1 Canadian-Upper

The City of Amarillo Animal Management and Welfare Department (AAMW) is offering free pet microchipping every Saturday and Monday in October – its “Chip or Treat” campaign. “A microchip is one of the most effective ways to ensure a lost pet finds its way home,” said AAMW Outreach Manager Katrena Volden. “This quick process can make the difference between a heartbreaking loss and a joyful reunion.” Chip or Treat Every Saturday/Monday in October 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The AAMW shelter is located at 3501 S. Osage St. “AAMW is dedicated to promoting responsible pet ownership, protecting public health and safety, and ensuring the humane treatment of animals in our community,” Volden said. “We look forward to serving pet owners in the Amarillo community with this unique campaign.” For more information, call AAMW at 806-378-9032 or by email at animals@amarillo.gov

The City of Amarillo Animal Management and Welfare Department (AAMW) is closing the shelter’s deceased animal depository box, a move supported by the AAMW Advisory Board as part of the department’s long-term strategic plan. The change follows a review of municipal best practices and is intended to improve safety, animal welfare and operational efficiency.  “Closing the depository allows us to focus more fully on protecting living animals while also reducing unnecessary health and safety risks for staff and the public,” said AAMW Director Victoria Medley. “This decision brings Amarillo into alignment with best practices followed by other municipalities and ensures we are operating under the highest standards of care.” Medley acknowledged the emotional side of losing a pet. “Losing a pet is never easy,” Medley said. “This change ensures pets are handled safely by their owners while allowing us to continue caring for the shelter animals who depend on us every day.” The depository box had been identified as an operational risk and presented multiple long-term challenges. Unbagged remains often required staff to handle and re-bag animals before they could be transported to the landfill. This increased the risk of environmental contamination and disease transmission to live animals and AAMW employees. The site also became a target for illegal dumping by citizens and businesses, which added costs and created further hazards. In addition, state guidance from the Texas Animal Control Association emphasizes that living animals must always take priority and be kept separate from deceased animals, a standard better supported without a depository on the premises. Amarillo residents who experience the loss of a pet should place small animals in a secure plastic bag, double bagging if possible, and dispose of them in their trash receptacle for collection or take them directly to the city landfill. Families who prefer other arrangements may work with their veterinarian or a private pet aftercare provider. These services are not provided by

The North Heights Water Main Replacement Project (NHWMRP)continues Monday (September 29) with the next phase of three alleyways. Two alleyways are located between N.W. 13th Ave. and N.W. 14th Ave. and between N.W. 16thAve. and N.W. 17th Ave. extending from North Travis Street to North Ong Street. The additional alleyway is located between N.W. 19th Ave. and N.W. 20th Ave. and extends from North Fannin Street to North Travis Street. The following alleyways are under various stages of the NHWMRP: For more details on the project, please visit the project website at: www.amarillo.gov/capital-projects-and-development/water-utilities-projects/ The project will replace existing two-inch water mains with new six-inch water mains to improve water service in the North Heights area. In preparation, the City of Amarillo Solid Waste Department is relocating dumpsters in affected alleys. The project will affect traffic around construction areas. The contractor will minimize impact to the public as much as possible. Motorists are advised to please heed all traffic signs in the area. For more information contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at 806-378-5219 or by email at david.henry@amarillo.gov.