[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6551741,"mediaKeyId","5329430-dcc4084eaf31856125adf1f224202122","parentId",5329430,"title","Citizens urge council to delay TIRZ No. 2 funding and seek accountability over taken campaign signs; council postponed action on TIRZ","audioSeconds",1808,"startMs",1037000,"endMs",2845000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5329430-dcc4084eaf31856125adf1f224202122&start=1037&end=2845","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5329430-dcc4084eaf31856125adf1f224202122/thumbnail_1037000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6551741/Midland/Midland-County/Texas/Citizens-urge-council-to-delay-TIRZ-No-2-funding-and-seek-accountability-over-taken-campaign-signs-council-postponed-action-on-TIRZ","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551741-68c3db3b0c6c7ab81c5a3a9f19699609/orig.mp4?Expires=1776030728&Signature=Vv3-4E4IfLF61caCI3YOl95Gpcu1NTc9jrp435uVDucPoqGip4DasmgNoYxW3PfD1XGqXH9jcC8xetCjpwS~GHBkBPDfUMNTAdXyEdnAa2HcbHJa1JYQ7xpGVr1~fwChNXIOOUJEgEhyh68B8GcwF3Ep0hV-sWyshkKf3cwHx2mgWrO6eskxi-sVxgbyuR1kzDTuySkahHqOyGYJg-lprwKMo82feYGoDw4bxxlQ-w2kahKa7vGeGYGylN27lmFQZCY88O16-EXNzWSKjYgEln6rQeOaM0GJCWVr-DaneMAmYK4veKqh14MjTo13zVzs2WLsZyyV6yT8QxBFtST6HQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Midland","date","2025-07-08T00:00:00Z","article","The city council read an ordinance to establish a project and financing plan for Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) No. 2 under chapter 311 of the Texas Tax Code and then heard public comment urging delay and further scrutiny. The council did not take action on the item at the meeting.

Jud Campbell, a resident, urged the council not to \"move forward with funding this\" and said TIRZ-style financing \"confines our resources\" and risks reducing funds available to citywide needs. \"It just puts handcuffs on our future city council,\" Campbell said, arguing that diverting citywide revenue to a TIRZ could create long-term fiscal constraints.

Robin Campbell, another citizen speaker, asked the council not to prioritize new developments funded through targeted districts while she said the city's general infrastructure and services face unmet needs. She also criticized the Midland Development Corporation for holding meetings at the Chamber of Commerce rather than in more transparent public facilities and urged more accessible meeting recordings.

Both speakers also raised a separate concern: the removal of campaign signs. Jud Campbell said earlier investigations had shown the city inappropriately removed campaign signs and that the public had not yet received a full account. \"This is a significant issue when the city is using its power to silence the speaking of our expression in an election,\" Campbell said.

Mayor Lori Blong read the ordinance language required for a TIRZ project and financing plan and noted the council would defer discussion and possible action at a future meeting. The mayor explicitly said no action would be taken on item 9 at this session and that the council would provide an opportunity for further public comment when the item returns.

Why it matters: A TIRZ/TIF-style financing plan can reallocate future incremental tax revenues to projects within the zone, which citizens warned could reduce general-purpose funds available citywide. Speakers also flagged perceived transparency and accountability issues tied to the Midland Development Corporation and alleged improper removal of campaign signs by city employees.

What happens next: The council deferred action; staff and council will address the TIRZ item at a later meeting. Citizens said they will continue to press the council for transparency and accountability on campaign-sign removal and on MDC meeting practices.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Midland - Council Meeting - Jul 08, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The city read an ordinance approving a project and financing plan for Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 2 under chapter 311 of the Texas Tax Code and then heard public objections; the council took no action and deferred the item for future consideration.","taxTitle","Midland, Midland County, Texas","taxId",25227,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6551745,"Council approves several alcohol-related zoning changes; defers one bar's special-use designation after compliance concerns",232,1245000,1477000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5329430-dcc4084eaf31856125adf1f224202122&start=1245&end=1477","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5329430-dcc4084eaf31856125adf1f224202122/thumbnail_1245000.jpg","/articles/6551745/Midland/Midland-County/Texas/Council-approves-several-alcohol-related-zoning-changes-defers-one-bars-special-use-designation-after-compliance-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551745-d3fb6408afcbd172409b35027d5cac91/orig.mp4?Expires=1776030728&Signature=OWBFFT9bKm8P~1LOBiapdGAHu65H~Oa~Cf7m9Jkd5SIXIKV8PtAlwqieNFfIQP2xNpEFXz9e95PAzLTwNkQhd4XUKlR4l4cvbHzqOt5GYAVmyE4PtZMfo~BOWzGzd~nQDEXowQoNA7K8DA8hqOwdtUMPU36uN39uY4dvZFGpIo9zGZC0G8dPSxQdm2RueqYh7zQnijMyso~t4c62Q~iFMdVk9r2sb7NqiC140YO5j7HySIuxKgk4mAmoyA-RhPoAZOn8R~WPhIaVIJPal1RsY34aHqMacYqlpv5VoubJ7Zl8is2t1RtZNIb9VCqLWmpr3jW~C0QOAR29fJLjFc-d1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Midland City Council voted to adopt multiple zoning-related ordinances permitting on-premises alcohol sales and to rezone a separate property to allow retail wine sales, and it deferred action for two weeks on a pending special-use designation for an existing bar after staff reported unresolved compliance concerns.

The council unanimously approved an ordinance to grant a specific-use designation allowing the sale of all alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption for a set of lots described as the North 65 feet of lots 11, 12, 10, 11, and 12, block 15 West End Addition (agenda item 7). The mayor announced the motion carried unanimously.

Separately, the council unanimously approved an ordinance to grant a specific-use designation with term for Lot 1 Block 10, Lindsay Neighborhood Section 2 to allow sale of all alcoholic beverages and a special event center for on-premises consumption (agenda item 8). The mayor announced the motion carried unanimously.

Council also approved a rezoning request to rezone Lot 14 Block 22, Westin Addition (1510 West Texas Avenue) from O-1 office district to LR local retail district to permit retail and on-premises sale of alcohol; staff said no objections were received and recommended approval (agenda item 13). A nearby applicant, Tyler Snelson, described plans for a retail wine and education business and identified himself as a certified sommelier.

Action was different on the Detour Bar application (agenda item 10), a special-use designation (SUD) request for an existing bar at 1708 Rankin Highway. City planning materials note the location has operated without an SUD since 2017; staff recommended deferral after receiving new information about incidents at the site. The council voted unanimously to defer the item for two weeks so staff can investigate and return with recommendations.

Council and staff discussed enforcement options. A city attorney identified in the meeting as Nicholas said, from a legal standpoint, \"they should not be operating and selling alcohol within the city limits without an SED. That's that's that's just what it is from a legal standpoint. Enforcement is is a different matter depending on the situation.\" Planning staff told the council the city lacks a mechanism to demand additional parking where a legal use's footprint is unchanged, and that any SUD conditions must be related to the consumption of alcohol.

Why it matters: The approvals allow new or continued on-premises alcohol uses at named properties and a wine retail use at 1510 West Texas Avenue; the Detour Bar deferral illustrates council and staff grappling with long-running compliance gaps and how the city enforces SUDs.

What happens next: Staff will investigate the incidents reported at the Detour Bar site and report back to council within two weeks. The approved ordinances will be published as provided in the ordinances and take effect according to city procedures.

","The Midland City Council adopted ordinances allowing on-premises alcohol sales at multiple properties and approved a rezoning to permit wine sales, while deferring action for two weeks on a separate bar application after staff reported long-running compliance questions.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6551749,"Midland Council affirms support for Midland Entrepreneurial Challenge; entrepreneurs describe local impact",504,498000,1002000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5329430-dcc4084eaf31856125adf1f224202122&start=498&end=1002","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5329430-dcc4084eaf31856125adf1f224202122/thumbnail_498000.jpg","/articles/6551749/Midland/Midland-County/Texas/Midland-Council-affirms-support-for-Midland-Entrepreneurial-Challenge-entrepreneurs-describe-local-impact","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551749-4aa31c12d1c7500c29a6ed6203e66e05/orig.mp4?Expires=1776030728&Signature=ObV4JWL1JWPWeXkM71vOUmOjamUTl3mjpNBr~TwlUHnhGjp3cNjqA-AQlVCVGJEty0DCIqSIMsANhK~TB9vfeZOKNxAb~m6Eh~Ykmit3a8jZTrLnACFS3GKa5qjpaE3RYajSbd5gOIr3cNHLUoxvMkoiBG6KiBegxqGCBI-Tba9u1hCd6h~iCzTUHo9C2EPFvQicyygMUsgLeAD9NfrxIVvugp8jxNCaXAmcT4dX9cYdRbHqW3zpqH051WF2anJCyismnVriil~U4RD70Ny6gqIeMkKzJKSUW8GEDvgnZtocbdvjGwzxaEEvZvkXJftB~abweSCmnMsESv3iIijmgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Midland City Council approved support for the Midland Entrepreneurial Challenge as part of the consent agenda and heard public comments from past winners and program partners describing business growth tied to the program.

The Midland Entrepreneurial Challenge (MEC) is a local competition run in partnership with the Midland Development Corporation and the University of Texas Permian Basin. Past participants told the council the program provides funding, coaching and connections that have helped businesses launch and scale in Midland.

\"Because of the support and resources provided through the MEC, we were able to expand our business in ways that have been truly life changing,\" Latoya Mayberry, owner of Toya's Precious Jewels Academy, told the council. Mayberry said the business added capacity to serve more than 50 additional families and employed 27 staff members after participating in the program.

Brian Shedd, executive director of the Office of Innovation and Commercialization at UT Permian Basin, told council staff and members the MEC has been run by the university for seven years and has produced durable outcomes: \"Over the years of the program, we've had 34 businesses that have won award money, since the program started in 2017. More than 80% of those businesses are still open.\" Shedd also said 200 businesses have competed in the last four years and that registrations were oversubscribed last year.

Laura Smith, business director at the Birth Center of Midland and a 2022 MEC winner, said the center used its award to equip its facility and has since delivered 385 babies and created 13 jobs, adding it is now on track to deliver 500 births in a year.

Council members who spoke after public comment noted the program’s nonfinancial benefits. \"It's not just the money,\" Mayor Lori Blong said, referencing coaching and networking the program provides. \"There's a lot of other tools that y'all get from that.\"

The council had already approved the related consent agenda item earlier in the meeting. The mayor announced the consent motion carried unanimously and said the MEC item would remain on record as approved.

Why it matters: Council approval keeps a locally run business-acceleration program in place that city officials and past participants say boosts small-business formation and retention. Speakers asked the city to continue supporting the MEC as one pathway to diversify and strengthen Midland’s local economy.

What happens next: The program will continue under the existing partnership structure between the Midland Development Corporation and UT Permian Basin unless future council action changes funding or oversight.

","The Midland City Council approved support for the Midland Entrepreneurial Challenge as part of its consent agenda. Local entrepreneurs and program partners told the council the program has helped launch and sustain businesses, create jobs and expand services in Midland.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Citizens urge council to delay TIRZ No. 2 funding and seek accountability over taken campaign signs; council postponed action on TIRZ

Council approves several alcohol-related zoning changes; defers one bar's special-use designation after compliance concerns

Midland Council affirms support for Midland Entrepreneurial Challenge; entrepreneurs describe local impact