News

The City of Amarillo and Atmos Energy are conducting a gas main infrastructure replacement project which will require temporary lane closures beginning today on Georgia Street, Austin Street and Laurel Street. The temporary lane closures will impact traffic on the northbound side of S. Georgia Street and the closure of Austin Street from Georgia Steet to Laurel Street. Laurel Street will also be closed to pass-through traffic at Austin Street. The timeline for completion of the replacement project is estimated to last through January. The City of Amarillo Solid Waste Department is also relocating dumpsters in impacted alleys. The project will affect traffic around the construction area, but the contractor will minimize impact to the public as much as possible. Motorists are advised to please heed all traffic signs in the area.

The City of Amarillo Animal Management and Welfare Department (AAMW) is waiving cat adoption fees beginning Thursday (December 4) through December 13. Adoption fees cover essential services such as spaying or neutering, age-appropriate vaccines and microchipping for identification. For more information and to see all animals available for adoption, go to: amw.amarillo.gov/home-animalmanagement

The City of Amarillo has received an AAA long-term credit rating from S&P Global Ratings for its 2026 certificates of obligation and public property finance contractual obligations. These are standard local government financing tools used for major equipment and facility needs. S&P Global cited Amarillo’s strengths as a regional economic center, conservative financial management and strong reserves. The report notes that the city’s diverse economic base, including manufacturing, defense, food processing, distribution, health care, ranching and education, continues to support steady growth in property values and sales tax revenue. The planned financing will support several essential city investments, including replacing aging equipment, purchasing three new fire engines and improving streets and parks across Amarillo. S&P Global highlighted Amarillo’s practice of using excess reserves to cash-fund capital projects, which has helped keep the city’s debt burden lower than state peers. The report also noted the city’s adherence to a minimum operating reserve of 90 days and its consistent long-term financial planning. “This rating reflects Amarillo’s strong financial practices and ongoing commitment to responsible stewardship,” said Laura Storrs, Chief Financial Officer for the City of Amarillo. “It underscores the stability of our local economy and our continued efforts to invest wisely in community needs.” S&P Global said the stable outlook reflects expectations that Amarillo’s economic growth and strong management practices will continue to support positive financial performance over the next two years.

The Amarillo Continuum of Care (CoC) has opened the 2025 local competition for project applications following the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) release of the 2025 Continuum of Care Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on Nov. 13. The CoC invites applications from local service providers, including current CoC TX-611 member agencies, as well as nonprofit and faith-based organizations across Amarillo. New applicants are encouraged to apply. This year’s NOFO includes several significant HUD policy and scoring changes. Applicants should review all materials. Local competition documents, including the HUD NOFO and application tools, the CoC TX-611 local NOFO, and local scoring tools, are available on the City of Amarillo Community Development webpage under the Continuum of Care tab.  For information, go to: www.amarillo.gov/community-development/continuum-of-care/ The application window is shortened due to the timing of the NOFO release and the upcoming holiday season. Technical Assistance Workshops COA Community Development will host a technical assistance workshop to support new and renewal applicants. Workshop attendance is highly recommended for all new and renewal applicants. Workshop information: Tuesday, Dec. 2. 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. All workshops will be held in the Simms Building, 808 S. Buchanan St. An all-day technical assistance workshop will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Required Notice of Intent A Notice of Intent to Apply is required from all applicants and must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2. Notices and inquiries should be sent to CoCTX611@amarillo.gov.  Application Deadline Final project applications are due by noon on Wednesday, Dec. 10. Incomplete and late applications will not qualify. For more information, contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager David Henry at (806) 378-5219 or by email at David.Henry@amarillo.gov.

The City of Amarillo has named three finalists for the next chief of the Amarillo Police Department. The finalists are (listed alphabetically by last name) Thomas Hover, Jimmy Johnson and Greg Stevens. (Brief bios are included). The candidates were selected after an extensive national search led by Public Sector Search & Consulting, the only recruiting firm in the United States that focuses solely on police executive recruitment. City leaders adopted a search process which included a heavy emphasis on public feedback and input as far as the attributes the Amarillo community values in its chief of police. The process included: COA is inviting the public to meet the finalists at a Community Open House/Meet the Finalists event on December 4 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Room 3400 (council chambers) at city hall. Meet the Finalists Thomas HoverAssistant Chief Thomas Hover has over 25 years of progressive experience with the Irving Police Department, currently overseeing field operations and specialized bureaus. He has led critical initiatives in community policing, officer wellness and crisis intervention and has served as incident commander during major public events and emergencies. Hover is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas Leadership Command College. He is recognized for strategic leadership that balances data-driven policing with meaningful community engagement. Jimmy JohnsonInterim APD Chief Jimmy Johnson has more than 37 years of experience in municipal law enforcement, serving in a wide range of operational and command roles. His leadership has focused on community engagement, professional standards and evidence-based policing. Johnson has been instrumental in developing officer mentorship programs, improving recruitment processes, and implementing accountability systems to enhance performance and public trust. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and holds a Master Peace Officer License. Greg StevensExecutive Director