Pecos council approves building-code updates, airport lighting, patrol vehicles and economic-incentive policy; approves raises in closed session

The Pecos City Council voted Feb. 27 to adopt an updated property-maintenance and energy code, replace aging PAPI lighting at the municipal airport, buy seven new patrol vehicles, reauthorize local economic-incentive guidelines under state law, and to approve pay increases in closed session.

The actions affect code enforcement and building standards, airport safety for night operations, police patrol capacity and the city—s approach to tax abatements and development incentives. The council voted on multiple ordinances and resolutions during the meeting—s formal business session and later approved personnel raises during an executive session.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 25-02-02: Second reading and adoption of updated property maintenance and energy provisions (move to 2021 IPMC and 2020 energy code). Motion approved (motion: Councilman Saldana; second: Councilwoman Seals). Tally: not specified in transcript. Note: this was the ordinance—s second reading and the council adopted the update.

- Ordinance 25-02-01: Second reading and repeal/replacement of the city—s dangerous building ordinance. Motion approved (motion: Councilwoman Seals; second: Councilman Saldana). Tally: not specified in transcript.

- Resolution 25-02-07: Authorize purchase and installation of a precision approach path indicator (PAPI) system at Pecos Municipal Airport, $53,232. Motion approved (mover/second recorded). Tally: not specified in transcript. Holly Jurocki, community services director, told council the current system dated to 1985 and that the upgrade will provide pilots correct night altitudes.

- Resolution 25-02-08: Authorize purchase agreement for seven patrol vehicles (Ford Explorers) at $381,500 as budgeted in capital fund. Motion approved (motion: Councilman Saldana; second: Councilman Graham). Tally: not specified in transcript. Police Chief Lisa Tarango said the vehicles were delivered and ready for outfitting.

- Resolution 25-02-09: Approve policies and procedures for economic development incentives and opt into tax-abatement authority under state law (example guidelines combining Chapter 380 and Chapter 312 options). Motion approved (motion: Councilman Graham; second: Councilwoman Perdue). Tally: not specified in transcript. Assistant City Manager Heather Ramirez said this packet combines prior incentive templates and must be renewed every two years for compliance with the tax code.

- Consent item: Resolution 25-02-06-R (consent) approving submission of a Texas Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application to the Texas Department of Agriculture for downtown revitalization (application amount: $1,000,000; local match from Pecos Economic Development Corporation: $250,000; total project: $1,250,000). Added on the consent agenda and approved by unanimous consent. Tally: not specified in transcript.

- Executive session (personnel): Council approved two pay actions in closed session: a 6% raise for the chief of police (effective Feb. 13) and a 6% raise for the city manager (effective Feb. 13). Both motions were moved and seconded in open meeting following the executive session; each motion carried (motions and seconds recorded; tallies not specified in the public record portion of the transcript).

Council members who made or seconded motions during the meeting included Councilwoman Seals, Councilman Saldana, Councilman Graham, Councilwoman Trujillo and Councilwoman Perdue. Staff presenters included Holly Jurocki (community services director), Lisa Tarango (chief of police) and Heather Ramirez (assistant city manager). The minutes record that the motions carried when the mayor called for voice votes.

Background and context

Holly Jurocki described the PAPI equipment as long past its useful life, saying the city has repaired capacitors individually and that replacement parts are increasingly difficult to source for the 1985-era units. She told the council the PAPI upgrade would meet current operational needs and integrate with other airport improvements.

Chief Tarango said the seven vehicles were ordered for 2025, arrived from the factory and were now at the outfitter. She said the vehicles are budgeted capital items and need payment to proceed to final outfitting.

Heather Ramirez told council the economic-incentive packet combines Chapter 380 (local incentives) and Chapter 312 (Property Redevelopment and Tax Abatement Act) templates and noted the city must readopt the tax-abatement guidelines every two years to remain eligible. Ramirez said individual abatements remain discretionary and will come back to council with specific application materials, public notice and hearings.

Ending

Council approved the measures by voice vote; individual roll-call tallies were not read into the public portion of the transcript. Several of the adopted measures (PAPI and the police vehicle purchases) are budgeted in the city—s capital funding plan and will move next to procurement and installation steps, while the adopted incentive policy establishes the procedure for future abatement requests.