The governing body of the City of Littlefield, Texas, met at 6 p.m. on September 23rd at the City Council Chambers located at 525 Phelps Avenue, for the purpose of considering all matters and related incidents to the City of Littlefield.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Eric Turpen at 6 p.m. The invocation was given by Mayor Pro Tempore Kenny Rucker and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Turpen.
Sharon Wilson with the Flat Land Music Committee was present to address the council on agenda item 16, during the public comment portion of the meeting.
There were no new employees to introduce.
The next item on the agenda was to consider and approve the minutes from the August 26, 2025, Meeting. Council Member Jason Ayala made the motion to approve the minutes and it was seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Rucker. The motion passed with three ayes and two absent.
Item seven on the agenda was to consider and Approve Monthly Departmental Reports: Police Dept.; Fire Dept.; EMS; Code Enforcement; Animal Control; Landfill; Water/Wastewater; Streets and Parks; Municipal Court; Aquatic Center Report; Monthly Financial Reports; Quarterly Sales Tax Collection; Property Tax Collection reports; Quarterly Investment Report, LEDC A and B minutes, if Boards met.” Mayor Pro Tempore Rucker, made the motion to approve the monthly reports and it was seconded by Council Member Ayala. The motion passed with three ayes two absent.
The next order of business was to consider and approve the August 2025 Expenses.
Council Member Ayala made the motion to approve the August 2025 expenses and it was seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Rucker. The motion passed with three ayes and two absent.
The next item on the agenda was to consider and approve All-ways Towing Expenses.
Mayor Pro Tempore Rucker made the motion to approve the All-ways Towing Expenses and it was seconded by Council Member Ayala. The motion passed with three ayes and two absent.
Item 10 on the agenda was conduct Public Hearing Regarding Proposed Tax Rate of 0.6363 for the 2025 Tax Year that Will Raise More Total Property Taxes Than Last Year’s Budget By $100,448 and of That Amount $8,269 is Tax Revenue to Be Raised from New Property Added to the Tax Roll this Year in Both The 2024 Tax Year and the 2025 Tax Year, as Prescribed by Tax Code §23.06.
Mayor Pro Tempore opened the public hearing at 6:07 p.m. There were no public comments.
The next order of business was to consider and Approve AN ORDINANCE (2025-0923-1)
LEVYING TAXES FOR THE USE AND SUPPORT OF THE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT, THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS, DEBT OF THE CITY OF LITTLEFIELD, TEXAS, AND PROVIDING FOR THE INTEREST AND SINKING FUND FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 20252026; APPROPRIATING SAID LEVY FOR THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE, PROVIDING FOR THE TIME AND MANNER OF PAYING THE AD VALOREM TAXES LEVIED, PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION BY CAPTION ONLY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Mayor Turpen, stated that the tax rate of .6363 that was proposed by council and is up for adoption with ordinance. The council did not have any further questions and agreed to adopt the proposed tax rate.
Mayor Turpen made motion to approve the ordinance for the tax rate approval and it was seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Rucker. The motion passed with three ayes and two absent.
The next item on the agenda was to consider and approve Ordinance (20250923-2) for Final Budget Amendments for Current 2024-2025 Fiscal Year Budget.
City Treasurer Andrew Eisenwine, summarized the budget amendments to the council and the council did not have any questions.
Council Member Ayala, made motion to approve Ordinance approving final budget amendments for current 2024-2025 fiscal year budget and it was seconded by Mayor Turpen. The motion passed with three ayes and two absent.
Item 13 on the agenda was to consider and approve Appointment of Municipal Court Judge.
Mayor Turpen stated that the appointment of Irene Coronado as Municipal Judge would remain the same from the appointment in February Council Meeting and no action was needed.
The next order of business was to consider and approve Ordinance (20250923-3) releasing Mr. W Fireworks business property from the City of Littlefield ETJ.
Code Enforcement Officer Maribel Fisher presented to the council a summarization of a request by land owners of Mr. W Fireworks to be released from the City of Littlefield ETJ. The landowners provided all required documents required by law to be submitted for a request of this nature.
Council voiced some concerns on the reason for request and how this would affect the current ETJ in the future. Council arrived to a consensus that the request would be denied.
The city will consult with legal counsel for further action. Mayor Turpen made a motion to deny the request and it was seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Rucker. The motion passed with three ayes and two absent.
The next item on the agenda was to consider and approve Public Works Building Project Bids.
City Manager Ray Resendez, addressed the council on the two bids received for the project and stated that the bids came in at a higher cost than what was speculated. Council voiced that they believed that both bids would be rejected.
Mayor Turpen made motion to reject bids for the project and it was seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Rucker. The motion passed with three ayes and two absent.
Item 16 on the agenda was to consider and approve Flatland Festival Alcohol Variance for Saturday October 4, 2025.
Representative for the Flatland Festival Committee, Sharon Wilson, addressed the council that all required safety measures, permits, and staffing were in place for the festival.
Mayor Turpen made the motion to approve the Alcohol Variance for Saturday October 4, 2025, for the Flatland Festival Concert night, to take place at the Palace Park, which is located downtown and it was seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Rucker. The motion passed three ayes and two absent.
The next order of business was to consider and approve rescheduling of October City Council Regular Meeting and setting date for October 21, 2025, at 6 p.m.
City Manager Resendez addressed the council and stated that this request is being made due to a TML Conference that city staff and council members will be attending the week of the regularly scheduled city council meeting.
Council Member Ayala, made motion to approve the rescheduling of the October City Council meeting to October 21, 2025, at 6 p.m. and it was seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Rucker. The motion passed with three ayes and two absent.
With no further business to discuss, Mayor Turpen declared the meeting adjourned at 6:28 p.m.