The governing body of the City of Littlefield met on December 16th, 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.” Littlefield Mayor Eric Turpen called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. and the invocation was given by Mayor Pro Tempore Kenny Rucker. Mayor Turpen led the Pledge of Allegiance.
There was nobody present for the public comment portion of the meeting. There were no new City employees to introduce.
Item six on the agenda was to consider and take action on the Minutes from the November 25, 2025, meeting.
Mayor Pro Tempore Rucker made the motion to approve the minutes and it was seconded Council Member Eric Saenz. The motion passed with five ayes.
The next order of business was to consider and take action on the 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.” Council Member Buddy Holmes, made the motion to approve the monthly reports and it was seconded by Council Member Jason Ayala. The motion passed with five ayes.
The next item on the agenda was to consider and take action on the November 2025 Expenses.
Council Member Ayala made the motion to approve the November 2025 expenses and it was seconded by Council Member Holmes. The motion passed with five ayes.
Item nine on the agenda was to consider and take action on the All-Ways-Towing Expenses. ” Council Member Ayala, made motion to approve the expenses and it was seconded by Mayor pro tempore Rucker. The motion passed with four ayes with Buddy Holmes abstaining from the vote.
The new order of business was to consider and take action on Djlar Machine Services Expenses. Council Member Ayala made motion to approve the expenses and it was seconded by Council Member Holmes. The motion passed with four ayes and Kenny Rucker abstaining from the vote.
The next item on the agenda was to consider and take action on the 2026 City Calendar. Council Member Holmes made motion to approve the 2026 City Calendar and it was seconded by Council Member Saenz. The motion passed with five ayes.
Item 12 on the agenda was to consider and take action on Appointment of City Manager, Ray Resendez as Director of the Littlefield Type B Economic Development Corporation.
Mayor pro tempore Rucker made motion to appoint City Manager, Ray Resendez, as the Director of the Littlefield Type B Economic Development Corporation and it was seconded by Council Member Ayala. The motion passed with five ayes.
The next item on the agenda was to consider and take action on Utility Project / Funding. City Manager Resendez provided an update on the utility project, reporting that the project is currently over budget. He discussed the need for a mixer to meet TCEQ requirements and presented cost comparisons for several utility-related projects, including the construction of a new water storage tank at the Sandhills site and proposed lift station upgrades.
Mayor Turpen suggested considering the issuance of a bond in the amount of approximately $1.8 million to address the additional project costs. He also recommended evaluating the option of upgrading the existing lift stations rather than replacing them and upgrading the SCADA monitoring system.
The Council discussed the condition of the existing Sandhills water storage tank and the possibility of upgrading it instead of constructing a new tank.
City Manager Resendez informed the Council that a company is scheduled to inspect and clean the Sandhills water storage tank in January 2026. The scope of work will include replacing the hatch and installing wiring for the water level monitoring system.
Mayor Turpen further suggested exploring the possibility of bonding up to $2 million to cover additional costs and system upgrades. The Council agreed to wait for further guidance from bond advisors regarding the bonding process.
The Council instructed the City Manager to move forward with upgrading the lift stations if the bonding company determines that change orders could reimburse cash already expended on the project.
No action was taken on this agenda item at this time.
Item 14 was Executive Session: Regarding Annual City Manager Evaluation. Under Texas Government Code 551.074, Personnel Matters the Council went into Executive Session at 6: 24 p. m. and resumed regular council meeting at 6:51 p.m.
The next order of business was to consider and take action Regarding Executive Session-Personnel Matters.
There was no action taken at this time on this agenda item.
The next item on the agenda was to consider and take action regarding amendments to the Certain Employment Agreements between the City of Littlefield and City Manager, Ray Resendez. Mayor Turpen informed the council that now that City Manager, Ray Resendez has been appointed as the EDC B Director that the Corporation Type B would continue to supplement the directors salary.
Mayor Turpen made a motion to approve the amendments to the Certain Employment Agreement between the City of Littlefield and City Manager and it was seconded by Mayor pro tempore Rucker. The motion passed with five ayes.
With no further business to discuss, Mayor Turpen declared the meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.