Amarillo council narrows tax‑rate ceiling to 0.4307 after budget debate

Amarillo’s City Council voted 3–2 on Sept. 14 to set a ceiling on the 2026 property-tax rate at 0.4307, the city’s current rate, after a daylong presentation and debate over corrected tax calculations and updated revenue projections.

The vote followed staff presentations showing corrected inputs from Potter and Randall counties that raised the no-new-revenue (NNR) calculations and improved projected sales-tax receipts. Mayor and a majority of council members said the council should adopt a conservative ceiling now and ask staff to return Sept. 22 with two spending scenarios that fit inside the NNR. “Everything we’ve already built in, plus a little more with the $800,000 sales tax and $79,000 in property tax,” staff said, summarizing the position that the revised NNR would cover the proposed budget.

Council members who opposed the final motion said they preferred leaving a higher ceiling available temporarily so the council could accommodate new information and potential priorities without being hamstrung. Earlier in the meeting the body debated several ceiling options, including the higher voter‑approval (VADER) rate of 0.45252 and an intermediate 0.446 rate; those motions failed or were withdrawn before the final 0.4307 motion passed. The city secretary recorded the final roll call: the mayor and two council places voted in favor; two council places voted against.

Staff were directed to return to the next meeting with more detailed schedules on transfers and reserves, a proposal for police step increases and other personnel adjustments, and options for senior‑services funding. The council then adjourned.