Amarillo Civic Center rendering provided pre-2019/Photo by City of Amarillo
Three propositions will face Amarillo voters when they head to the voting booth in November.
First, Amarillo voters will face Proposition 1, which would approve a $275 million bond for the Amarillo Civic Center and other downtown projects. The total cost of the proposal is $319 million, the difference of which City of Amarillo officials confirmed last year would be funded through certificates of obligation and other financing mechanisms. If passed, voters could expect a hearty tax increase and the construction of a downtown arena, a central park downtown, a move of Amarillo City Hall, construction of an additional downtown parking garage, renovations to the Amarillo Civic Center’s convention spaces, and more. This item was originally set for the May 2020 ballot, but was postponed to November due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Next up, voters will tackle Proposition 2, which would extend the terms of members of the Amarillo City Council from two years each to four years each, along with the institution of staggered elections. This item has drawn heavy controversy from some citizens who have pointed out that the proposed amendment contains no language preventing the extension from being applied retroactively.
“It is alarming that the charter amendment extending the terms of the mayor and city council is worded ambiguously; it could be retroactive,” Amarillo activist Jason Foglesong said in a statement to the Pioneer.
The final ballot proposition voters will face is Proposition 3, which would cut the number of Amarillo City Council meetings by half, requiring two monthly meetings instead of four. Proponents say the weekly requirement is unsustainable in today’s modern world, noting the City Charter was written in 1913. Meanwhile, opponents say the proposal would allow Amarillo citizens fewer opportunities to address the City Council and be a part of the local government process.
This will be the first time voters will face any propositions from the City of Amarillo in four years. In 2016, voters declined five propositions to issue bonds for local government projects, but did pass a bond for public safety and another bond for street repairs.
Voters will vote this November on these issues. Early voting begins October 13, according to the Potter County Elections Administrator’s website.