Amarillo City Council takeaways: Election results, public accusations, police chief search

Yahoo

09-07-2025

The Amarillo City Council on Tuesday, July 8 approved two resolutions affirming and clarifying the results of the May 3 and June 7 municipal elections, aiming to resolve lingering procedural concerns while drawing sharp criticism from a resident who contended the actions violated state law.
The council also voted to move forward with the city's search for a new police chief, approving a contract with a national recruitment firm specializing in public safety leadership.
Resolutions No. 07-08-25-2 and No. 07-08-25-3 attach previously omitted voting tabulations and certificates of election from the May 3 general election and the June 7 runoff. City officials said the documents had been part of the original canvassing process but were not included in the initial resolutions.
'These actions are consistent with state law and ensure completeness of the record and transparency for the public,' City Manager Grayson Path told council members. 'The results and outcomes remain unchanged.'
The resolutions passed unanimously among the three members present: Mayor Cole Stanley, Councilmember Les Simpson, and Councilmember David Prescott. Councilmembers Don Tipps and Tim Reid were absent.
Mayor Stanley said the city followed Texas Election Code and described the resolutions as 'an affirmation and clarification — not a re-canvass.'
'We simply received the tabulated results and fulfilled our duty under the law,' Stanley said. 'This doesn't change the election outcome, but it does complete the public record.'
He said any concerns about election procedures should be directed to the county election administrator, not the council, which hires the county to run city elections. Stanley acknowledged the need for clearer communication and said policy updates are likely.
During public comment, Amarillo resident Michael Ford challenged the legality of the city's actions. He argued the elections had not been lawfully canvassed and that the newly passed resolutions were an attempt to retroactively validate flawed procedures.
'All I've asked, and all the law requires, is that you hold a lawful canvass,' Ford said. 'Open the sealed returns, tabulate the votes by precinct, and include early voting — recorded in the minutes.'
He contended that the city's failure to perform a public canvass in accordance with Texas Election Code Section 67.004 rendered the certificates of election invalid. Ford warned that the council was knowingly adopting false records and cited several sections of state law outlining potential criminal penalties.
In a direct challenge, he questioned the legitimacy of newly seated Place 3 Councilmember David Prescott and others.
'You are not legally qualified to be here,' Ford said. 'Per the Secretary of State, no lawful canvass means no lawful certificate, no lawful oath, and no legal authority.'
Mayor Stanley did not directly respond to Ford's accusations during the meeting but emphasized afterward that 'everyone has a right to raise concerns' and that the council took an extra step 'to close the loop and provide transparency.'
The council also approved a contract with Public Sector Search & Consulting Inc., a California-based firm composed of former law enforcement executives who specialize in police and fire chief recruitments. The firm has conducted high-profile searches in cities like Dallas, Irving, Killeen, and Oklahoma City, and it has developed a national reputation for identifying community-oriented law enforcement leaders.
Deputy City Manager Andrew Freeman said the firm was selected from a competitive pool of 10 applicants. It stood out for its deep law enforcement knowledge and exclusive focus on public safety recruitment.
'They've built a strong national network of candidates and are constantly engaged with active and emerging police leaders through conferences and association events,' Freeman said. 'They understand what modern policing requires, and they know what Amarillo needs.'
The contract carries a base cost of $42,500 and is expected to exceed $50,000 with travel and logistical expenses. It will be paid for using salary savings from the currently vacant chief position.
Freeman said the process is already underway and includes stakeholder engagement, department input, and the creation of a recruitment brochure. Finalists — expected to number between three and five — will visit Amarillo for interviews and public forums.
'We're going to work with the firm to define the qualities we're looking for — someone with leadership strength, a commitment to transparency, and a strong sense of community connection,' he said.
The city hopes to have a new chief in place by November or December.
The council also authorized $3.8 million in funding for street preservation projects, including microsurfacing and cape seal work. The funds are part of a larger $11-12 million effort to address long-deferred infrastructure needs. Residents can track project locations through an online city map.
Stanley reaffirmed the city's opt-out policy on automated water meters and emphasized their benefits: real-time leak detection, accurate billing, and usage tracking.
He also addressed a shift in how public comments are managed during council meetings, including the return of a visible countdown timer to enforce speaking limits.
'Public meetings are about balance,' he said. 'We've made it easier for people to speak, but we also need to manage time to serve everyone.'
As the city addresses calls for greater transparency and prepares to select new public safety leadership, Stanley said the focus remains on public trust and progress.
'We're listening,' he said. 'And we're committed to doing the work to earn people's trust moving forward.'
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: City council votes on election affirmation, police chief search firm