The City of Levelland city council met this past Monday to discuss and act on numerous ordinances and resolutions as well as discuss the board appointment process.
Prior to the start of the meeting, the Centennial Mosaic was dedicated at City Hall. Mayor Breann Buxkemper read a proclamation honoring Levelland’s 100th year with the placement of the mosaic on the front of the building. The artist for the mosaic, Pauline Mills, was present along with other city officials and residents of Levelland.
The meeting got underway with the approval of minutes from both the Aug. 3 and Aug. 10 meetings.
The council discussed and approved the proposed tax rate for FY 2026-2027 and set dates for public hearings on both the tax rate and FY 20262027 budget.
The proposed tax rate ceiling is .59500 per $100. The tax rate is split between M&O or maintenance and operations, and debt rate which accounts for principal and interest on bonds and other debt secured by property tax revenue. M&O funds administration, public safety, streets and parks, code compliance and inspections, finance and courts. The city prepared the annual budget at a tax rate of .57000 per $100.
The tax rate hearing is scheduled for Sept. 7, and the budget hearing will be on Sept. 14. at 6 p.m. at city hall.
In other business, a public hearing was held regarding Ordinance No. 1119 related to curb cuts and driveway openings, followed by a vote of approval for the ordinance on first reading. This ordinance is necessary to control the use and improvement of public rightsof- way within the city and allow for orderly, safe and convenient access to abutting private property.
The council approved Ordinance 1120 concerning a negotiated settlement between cities served by Atmos Energy regarding the 2026 Rate Review Mechanism on second reading. Atmos filed for a rate increase this past April claiming it was entitled to a $13.3 million increase in the WTX cities; this was reduced to $11.8 million due to limitations in the RRM tariff. Following a review, Atmos agreed to $10.8 million. The effective date of the increase is Oct. 1.
In other action, the council approved Ordinance No. 1121 to adjust the utility rates in water, wastewater and sanitation departments on a first reading. Several rates within the water and wastewater tiers were round up due to the phasing out of the penny and simplicity purposes.
City staff also proposed new rates for sanitation services, specifically at the landfill and charging noncity residents landfill disposal fees.
The council approved Ordinance No. 1122 amending Article 1.200 for what is allowed for keeping livestock and swine in accordance with generally accepted agricultural practices. House Bill 1750 provided a city may not impose a governmental requirement in the city limits unless it protects the people who reside in the immediate vicinity or people on public property. The governing body can find resolutions based on a report prepared by the city health officer or a consultant that the requirement is necessary to protect public health.
Concerning abandoned and junk motor vehicles, the council approved Ordinance No.1123 on a first reading. The ordinance will amend Article 7.100 regarding the name of the article and the definition of junked vehicle.
In other business, the council approved a payment of $3,369,450 to MH Civil Constructors for the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The council also approved Resolution No. 2026.15 approving an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation regarding the closing of two blocks of state highway for the Falling for the Wallace Event set for Oct. 3 from noon to 11 p.m.
The council approved authorizing staff to begin the Boards and Commission application process with recommendations coming back to the city council in November. The city has 12 advisory boards and commissions with volunteers providing many hours serving the community helping staff and the city council review community issues by providing recommendations. Several members’ terms will expire at the end of 2026 and there is a need to fill vacancies and adverstise for new members.
The council also approved the nomination of councilman Tushar Bhakta to the LCDC board with a term expiring Dec. 31. Bhakta will fill one of two vacancies on that board.
Finally, the council approved authorizing staff to issue a request for proposals for a farm operator for the Levelland-Oxy Sports Complex farm lease and Wastewater Treatment Plant farm lease.
The Oxy Sports Complex has approximately 19 acres and the Treatment Plant has approximately 546 acres.
City manager James Fisher gave a staff and project update as well a report on upcoming events.