News

The City of Amarillo (COA) has named Omolola (“Lola”) Ogunremi as chief financial officer (CFO). Ogunremi was announced Tuesday as CFO during the regular meeting of city council. Her tentative start date is early April. “Following a competitive and thorough search that included a wide array of exceptional candidates, we are pleased to announce Lola Ogunremi as chief financial officer for the City of Amarillo,” said COA City Manager Grayson Path. “This is a vitally important position for the city. Lola has a strong and extensive professional background that fulfills the requirements of having deep expertise in municipal finance, long‑range financial planning, debt management and the ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to elected officials, staff and the public. We are excited to welcome Lola Ogunremi to Amarillo.” Ogunremi, Ph.D., comes to Amarillo from Bowie, Md., where she served as assistant finance director, overseeing the city’s annual operating and capital budget. She has more than 18 years of experience in financial management, business consulting, economic research and accounting. Ogunremi holds a Ph.D. in economics from Howard University, an MBA in computer information systems from Baruch College and a BS in accounting from Brooklyn College. She is also a licensed certified public accountant. As chief financial officer for COA, Ogunremi will oversee a city budget of approximately $557 million and a full-service organization of more than 2,500 employees. The CFO leads the Finance Department in promoting and maintaining excellence and efficiency in accounting, budgeting and reporting functions.

Repairs are underway related to an unauthorized discharge of 100,000 gallons of treated wastewater. The discharge is in a non-residential area approximately one-half mile south of the Harrington Power Generation facility and one-half mile west of Lakeside Drive. No public or private drinking water sources have been identified within one-half mile of the spill location. The discharge is not identified as an environmental hazard as the water has been through the full treatment process and has been adequately disinfected. The discharge was identified on Monday (February 23) at 9:45 a.m. and the pumps supplying the water were shut off immediately stopping the flow of treated wastewater. The repairs to the line are ongoing and expected to be complete in the next 48 hours. The cause of the unauthorized discharge was a broken air relief valve. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has been notified of the spill and repair efforts are being conducted by City of Amarillo Wastewater collections personnel.

The City of Amarillo’s Comanche Trail Golf Complex will be closed to the public on Thursday (February 26) due to a scheduled electrical upgrade by Xcel Energy. Xcel Energy will be upgrading power supplies to the clubhouse and to the new Tomahawk pump station. The work will require a temporary shutdown of electrical service to the facility to safely complete the improvements. The golf course is scheduled to reopen on Friday (February 27) – weather permitting. Golfers may book tee times at Ross Rogers Golf Complex by calling 806-378-3086 or visiting www.playgolfamarillo.com/ For more information contact City of Amarillo General Manager of Golf Operations George Priolo by email at George.Priolo@amarillo.gov

The first step toward more affordable housing in Amarillo is complete. At its February 10 meeting, Amarillo City Council unanimously approved the first reading of four resolutions in support of affordable housing projects across the city. The backing of city council helps property owners apply to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) for nine percent housing tax credits – meaning property owners can offer reduced rental rates to prospective tenants. The next step is for the council to consider the second and final reading of the resolutions during its meeting Tuesday (February 24) at 3 p.m. at city hall. TDHCA will then consider all applicants statewide and award the tax credits. “The more we are able to work with state and federal authorities, the easier it will be for our residents to have lower rental costs,” said Mayor Cole Stanley. “These are important initiatives that will expand and improve living opportunities for all our residents.” The affordable housing initiatives are spread throughout the city.  “There is no impact on city tax revenue from these resolutions,” said City of Amarillo Assistant Director of Planning Drew Brassfield. “Council approving these resolutions is a step in the application process to the state for the property owners.” Tentative rental rates for the affordable housing projects range from $600 to $1300 a month.

Construction of a new sewer main on Bell Street and Hillside Road is temporarily adjusting traffic patterns. The turn lane southbound on Bell Street leading to the westbound lanes on Hillside Road will be temporarily closed. The temporary closure is to allow for installation of a sewer main at 6104 Hillside Road. The project is expected to last through March 6. The temporary traffic adjustment is intended to safely route vehicles around the construction zone while minimizing public disruption. Motorists are encouraged to follow all posted signage and exercise caution when traveling through 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.