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Lubbock City Council accepts Community Health Improvement Plan after wide public support
Summary
After hours of public comment from physicians, neighborhood leaders and residents, Lubbock City Council voted to accept the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) and the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), and scheduled a council work session to set priorities.
Lubbock — The City Council on Jan. 14 accepted the Community Health Improvement Plan and associated Community Health Needs Assessment, documents city officials say will guide longer-term public health priorities and improve the city’s competitiveness for grants.
The council vote followed more than two hours of public comment from physicians, nonprofit leaders and residents who urged the council to adopt the plan as a baseline for policy, outreach and grant applications. The measure passed the council by a recorded margin (six in favor, one opposed).
Why it matters: The CHIP and CHNA summarize community health gaps — such as access to primary care, chronic disease prevention and behavioral-health services — and recommend actions that public and private partners can pursue. City staff and public-health advocates told the council the studies also strengthen the health department’s ability to pursue outside grant funding and long-term accreditation.
Supporters said the report is a practical tool, not an immediate funding request. "Acceptance of the report does not commit the mayor and council to any action," said Sarah McLarty, a resident who addressed the council. "It provides you with a baseline for making policy." Dr. Drew Payne, speaking for the Lubbock County Medical Society, said the plan "captures the heart of what it means to care for our community" and urged adoption.
Public-health context: Several speakers highlighted Lubbock Public Health staff and singled out Catherine Wells for leadership during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. At least one commenter noted the CHNA and CHIP could help the department compete for grants and support the department’s move toward national accreditation, which awards points to jurisdictions with formal community assessments and plans.
Council direction: The motion the council approved called for formal acceptance of the documents and directed staff to schedule a council work session by March 25, 2025, "to review and discuss the council's priorities and policies relating to public health services for the City of Lubbock." Councilmember Collins seconded the motion.
What council members said: Supporters argued adoption would provide "guide rails" for future budgeting and grant work. Councilmember Glasheen said the plan offered a community roadmap and the ability to leverage more grant dollars; others warned that a needs assessment is not a promise to fund every recommended program and urged clear communication so residents do not expect immediate city-funded actions.
Next steps: Staff said acceptance does not obligate the city to fund specific programs; it makes the documents available for use by the city, Lubbock Public Health and community partners as they pursue grants and implementation. The council-set work session will be an opportunity to clarify which recommendations the city might prioritize and how staff will measure progress.
