The Levelland city council met this past Monday to consider agreements, the quarterly financial report, a grant proposal for LPD safety equipment, payments and roofing for the Levelland Fire Department.
Prior to tasking the consent agenda, Mayor Breann Buxkemper signed a proclamation in recognition of Home Health and Hospice Month.
In consideration of Resolution 2025-21 authorizing the submission of a grant application to the Office of the Governor for bullet-resistant equipment, the council heard from Levelland Police Chief Erica O’Bryon who presented detailed information on the grant and upgrades.
According to O’Bryon, the program provides financial assistance to local law enforcement agencies to purchase and install enhanced features on patrol vehicles for heightened officer safety during highrisk encounters.
O’Bryon said the LPD intends to apply for funding in the amount of $259,389 to equip patrol units three years or newer with bulletresistant door panel inserts and ballistic windows. There is no matching fund requirement associated with the grant, and it would be funded by the Public Safety Office upon reward and completion of approved purchases.
The council approved the resolution authorizing O’Bryon to submit the grant application and authorized O’Bryon or city manager James Fisher to execute the necessary documents.
Cynthia Sanchez, city director of finance, presented the quarterly report for July 1 – September 20. Revenues showed a year to date (YTD) at 104% of the general fund; Cemetery Fund, 78.55% of projected budget; and Enterprise Fund at YTD of 104% of the projected budget.
Investments earned $439,882, the $10 million bond for WWTP and animal shelter was received and deposited into Logic Pool, with withdrawals of $885,560 and $612,462 for ARPA projects ending Sept. 30.
Activity in cash and bank account indicated $15,130 interest was earned; Ameresco payment of $359,792 for the water meter project, and debt payments of $30,528, $10,274, and $1,112,313. Texas Class Investment deposits were made for $88,560 and $612,462 for ARPA Projects. MH Civil payments of $562,925 and $1,016,118 for WWTP were also made.
Sales tax collections showed a 4.03% increase from the same period in 2024.
In other action, the council approved a payment request from MH Civil Contractors for $982,904 for the new 1.8 MGD Wastewater Treatment Plant.
In other business, the council approved the Paragon Multi Family Roofing Inc. TIPS contract regarding the Levelland Fire Department roof to allow for the repair of several roofing areas at the fire department.
The roof was damaged during the May 2024 storms, but due to several factors, is ineligible for insurance coverage, including the original roof was not installed correctly or was damaged during construction, and the roof received some type of weather damage after construction and the city failed to repair it after inspection by the Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool (TML IRP) adjuster.
The proposed agreement will report damaged areas and be overseen by representative of the TML IRP group.
In other action, the council approved a Master Service Agreement with Freese & Nichols. The MSA will allow the city to utilize Freese & Nichols for engineering services as needed with the company creating a task order that outlines services, what is involved, desired outcome and probable costs.
City manager James Fisher gave a report on staff updates, projects, recognitions and items of community interest.
Fisher there are several lunches and dinners including the EDC Industry Luncheon and the City Appreciation Dinner, both on Nov. 20 at the Mallet Event Center.
City Hall will be closed Nov. 21 to allow for cleaning and organization of file rooms and city offices will be closed on Nov. 27 and Nov. 28 for the Thanksgiving holidays.
Fisher said the fire department will be testing fire hydrants after discovering that several do not work or do not have shut-off valves.
A section of Alamo Road between Ellis and SH 114 will be closed from Nov. 21 through Nov. 30.
Fisher said upcoming events in Levelland include Levelland Listens on Dec. 2 at City Hall; the Festival of Lights, Christmas on the Square (6:30 p.m.) and Parade (6:16 p.m.) and SPC Tree Lighting (5 p.m.) is on Dec. 4.
The next city council meeting is scheduled for Dec. 1 at 6 p.m.