News

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.

COA Snapshot is a Monthly Feature on COA Employees/Officials When Walt and Marla Davis were looking for a volunteer opportunity that not only helped the community but also fit their unique schedule, they found one near and dear to their hearts. “We had been looking around and finally there was something that jumped out at me,” Marla said. “I knew we had to do this.” In 2018, the Davises discovered the City of Amarillo (COA) Accessible Parking Enforcement Volunteer (APEV) program – and it was a perfect fit. “At first we started volunteering for everything, and that was a big mistake,” Walt said with a laugh. “We had more hours volunteering than when we were working. What we liked about this program was that it was special to us for many reasons, and it is very flexible and accommodating. If you don’t want to come in that day and volunteer, you don’t come in. It is very easy and rewarding.” The Davises are both retired and will celebrate their 51st wedding anniversary next month. They have two grown children and five grandchildren. Walt is a disabled veteran having served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Both had parents who were disabled, so it is easy to see how the APEV program resonates with the Davises. “The services provided by the volunteers in the APEV program help ensure accessible parking for those who need it,” said COA City Marshal Jacob Diaz, whose department oversees the program. “Designated parking spaces for disabled motorists need to be protected, and we are grateful for those who volunteer. This helps our entire community.” The APEV program is quick, simple and convenient. Volunteers determine their own work schedules. Training is provided and the enforcement process is non-confrontational. “From the time you spot a car that may be

Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport (RHAIA) will be hosting a TSA PreCheck® enrollment event in collaboration with IDEMIA, an authorized TSA PreCheck enrollment provider since 2013. Travelers will be able to enroll or renew their membership at RHAIA from October 7-10 from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The TSA PreCheck Application Program is open to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and lawful permanent residents. The enrollment process is quick, convenient, and even faster when the application is completed online beforehand. During the in-person appointment, applicants are required to provide identity and citizenship documents, fingerprints and a photo will be captured, and then pay for the application fee. IDEMIA offers TSA PreCheck enrollment for $76.75 and if approved, travelers get a five-year membership with the program.  Following the in-person enrollment appointment, most applicants receive their Known Traveler Number (KTN) in about three to five days. The KTN number must be added to flight reservations to enjoy TSA PreCheck benefits.   TSA PreCheck was created in October 2011 as a way to provide low-risk travelers with a smoother experience through airport security. It is a great option for travelers looking to save time. Enrolled members have access to TSA PreCheck dedicated screening lanes at over 200 participating U.S. airports nationwide, and 99% of members wait 10 minutes or less in a screening lane. TSA PreCheck passengers travel with ease and keep their shoes, belts and light jackets on and keep laptops, 3-1-1 liquids and food items in their bags. Travelers unable to make the RHAIA enrollment event but still interested in enrolling in the TSA PreCheck Application Program can complete the application online and schedule an appointment at one of IDEMIA’s 630-plus enrollment centers nationwide. To get started visit: https://tsaenrollmentbyidemia.tsa.dhs.gov/ For more information on the TSA PreCheck program, visit https://www.tsa.gov/precheck

Amarillo City Council unanimously approved Tuesday the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 budget and tax rate to fund the services and operations provided by the City of Amarillo (COA), including the Amarillo Police Department and the Amarillo Fire Department, as well as libraries, parks, streets, public health, water and sewer utilities, drainage, airport operations, etc. The City of Amarillo budget will be $557 million. Highlights of the new COA budget: The new budget will raise more revenue from property taxes than the previous budget by $8.4  million – an 11.77 percent increase. The COA tax rate will be $0.43070. Appraised values increased by a little more than three percent on average, so an average  household would see an $11 per month increase in the city’s portion of the tax bill. For information on the 2025/2026 COA budget and tax rate, go to the Public Notices section near the bottom of the COA website at www.amarillo.gov/ To see the final COA budget and tax rate discussion and council vote, go to: amarillotx.new.swagit.com/videos/355633

Got a hole in that favorite pair of jeans? The City of Amarillo (COA) Repair Café may be able to save this valued piece of your wardrobe, among other cherished household items. Jeans are one of the many items that can be repaired at the (COA) Repair Cafe – a free repair service for all kinds of everyday items, from lamps to computers to clothes. “Repair Café is a lot of fun – seeing people bring in items that can be repaired and fixed to work as good as new,” said COA Senior Services Coordinator for the Parks and Recreation Department Kari Bachman. “Don’t throw away a household item that isn’t working properly. Bring it to Repair Café and let’s see if we can give it new life – and at the same time share repair skills with the entire community.” The Repair Cafe is set for Saturday (September 20) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Warford Activity Center, 1330 N.W. 18th Ave. Repair Cafe features volunteer fixers and participants can learn simple repair skills. What to bring: Each family is welcome to bring one item for repair. If time allows, additional items may be accommodated. Participants must stay with their items during the repair process – this is a hands-on experience to learn alongside volunteer fixers. Fixable items include dull kitchen knives, clothing/textiles, bicycles, household appliances under 40 pounds, wooden furniture under 40 pounds and computers/electronics under 40 pounds. Registration is not required. For more information contact Kari Bachman at (806) 678-8359.