News

Amarillo City Council approved Tuesday a lease agreement for the Amarillo Zoo between the city and the non-profit entity Amarillo Zoo & Sanctuary, Inc. (AZS). The agreement establishes a long-term partnership to enhance and modernize the zoo while preserving it as a city-owned public asset. The city retains ownership of the zoo, the land, and the animals. AZS will manage daily operations with an emphasis on conservation, education and community programming. The initial lease term is 20 years, ending December 30, 2046. The agreement provides for three optional five-year renewal periods, contingent upon the lessee’s compliance with the lease and attainment of accreditation from either the Association of Zoos and Aquariums or the Zoological Association of America. The lease payment is set at $1 per year. This nominal fee is intended to facilitate the operation of a robust public zoo that serves the community, rather than to generate revenue for the city. The city may provide up to $900,000 in grant funding over six fiscal years. This financial support is structured to assist during the initial transition period, with amounts decreasing as the nonprofit develops independent revenue sources. The proposed schedule is: Fiscal Year 1: $150,000. Fiscal Year 2: $250,000. Fiscal Year 3: $200,00. Fiscal Year 4: $150,000. Fiscal Year 5: $100,000. Fiscal Year 6: $50,000. This schedule does not create a multi-year financial obligation. Every dollar is subject to the annual appropriation process, and council retains full discretion each budget cycle. The zoo is required to function as a community education facility. Existing programs, such as school field trips, camps, and outreach initiatives, are protected and may only be altered with council approval. Animal care standards are also specified. The city retains ownership of all animals currently at the zoo, and council maintains authority regarding the animals. A veterinarian

Amarillo City Council has scheduled a pre-budget planning workshop for the 2026/2027 budget for Tuesday (March 10). The workshop begins at 9 a.m. in council chambers, Room 3400 at City Hall, 623 S. Johnson. No vote will be taken during the workshop. The workshop is open to the public and will be livestreamed at: www.youtube.com/user/CityofAmarillo To see the agenda item, go to: amarillotx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3040/files/agenda/7183 For more information, contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at (806) 378-5219 or by email at David.Henry@amarillo.gov.

Bid Process Open for Structural Assessment and Aquatic Market Viability Study Following the direction of the City of Amarillo (COA) Parks and Recreation Board and the Amarillo City Council, Southwest Pool and Southeast Pool will temporarily close pending the completion of an engineering and feasibility study to address safety concerns, increasing maintenance costs and the future viability of the pools. Both pools will be closed this spring/summer. In January, city council voted unanimously (5-0) to temporarily close the pools so a comprehensive engineering study can be conducted on each pool. The council decision followed an 8-1  recommendation by the COA Parks and Recreation Board this past November to permanently close both pools due to age, associated maintenance costs, leaks and safety concerns. Southeast Pool, located at 435 S. Osage St., was built in 1965 – making the facility almost 60 years old. Southwest Pool, located at 4800 Bell St., was built in 1974 – making the facility more than 50 years old. Adhering to council direction, the COA Parks and Recreation Department conducted an internal study of both pools. The data was presented to council in December and detailed the need for significant repairs that could eclipse $1 million. The presentation to council (Agenda  Item 6.4) can be viewed at: amarillotx.new.swagit.com/videos/363032 Council then voted unanimously in January for an engineering and feasibility study to determine the future of both pools. The vote and discussion (Agenda Item 5.4) can be viewed at: amarillotx.new.swagit.com/videos/373298 The bid process for the Structural Assessment and Aquatic Market Viability Study for the pools is open to the public through April 2 via the city’s online bidding platform – Bonfire – at:  www.amarillo.gov/purchasing/

It has become an Amarillo tradition – and it is back. The City of Amarillo’s Every Drop Counts Calendar Contest, which illustrates the importance of water and water conservation through the artwork of students, has returned. Through the years, Every Drop Counts has featured the creativity of students from kindergarten through 12th grade in a popular calendar format with the theme emphasizing the area’s most vital resource – water. A total of 13 winners will be selected for the 2027 calendar. The deadline to submit artwork is May 31. Participants are eligible for prizes, including a $1,000 gift card and exclusive merchandise. For entry rules and requirements and to submit an entry, go to: www.amarillo.gov/every-drop-counts/

More animals in Amarillo, primarily dogs and cats, are returning home to their owners or finding new homes thanks to efforts led by the City of Amarillo Animal Management and Welfare Department (AAMW.) AAMW Director Victoria Medley had good news not only for the members of city council Tuesday during their regular meeting, but also for the entire Amarillo community. Medley detailed improved animal welfare numbers in several key categories, including the number of lost animals returned to their owners over the past three years and the number of animal adoptions. The numbers: “These numbers represent progress in AAMW’s efforts to care for the animals in our community and help the owners of these animals – our residents,” Medley said. “Our vaccination and microchip programs have been outstanding in the past three years. We have worked with local and national partners to help make these programs successful, and these program have definitely had a positive impact.” AAMW provided 914 microchips in 2025 during microchip/vaccination clinics. Medley also emphasized the importance of the Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine. “I cannot say enough about what the Texas Tech vet school has brought to our community,” Medley said. “Their participation in surgeries at AAMW has meant so much, both in terms of medical capacity to helping relieve the cost of these surgeries to taxpayers.” Councilmember Les Simpson applauded the efforts on behalf of public safety. “Animal welfare is an important issue. Obviously, we want to take care of animals the best way we can in our community,” said Simpson, who also serves on the AAMW Advisory Board. “This is also an important public safety issue. These numbers represent wins for the Amarillo community, not only in terms of taking care of animals and getting them back to their owners but also in