The Midland City Council approved a series of appropriations, zoning changes, contract adjustments and bond-authorizing measures at its first January meeting, taking formal action on hotel-motel funding for sports tourism, major paving change orders, multiple rezoning requests and a plan to issue refunding general obligation bonds and certificates of obligation.

The approvals included a $300,000 appropriation from the Hotel-Motel Fund to Visit Midland’s Sports and Entertainment Program, change orders totaling roughly $1.05 million for the Garfield Street paving project, establishment of a dedicated project account for right-of-way license fees, acceptance of a $40,000 donation for police equipment, multiple zoning and specific-use ordinances, and authorization to proceed with general obligation refunding bonds and tax and limited-pledge revenue certificates of obligation.

Why it matters: The council’s actions directly affect how the city budgets for sports tourism and capital projects, moves forward on a long-running street reconstruction project, and manages debt and pension-related financing. The bond measures were presented as part of a broader plan to address the city’s fiscal needs while preserving bond ratings.

Votes and key actions at a glance

- Item 5 — Appropriation for sports tourism: Approved. The council authorized $300,000 from the Hotel-Motel Fund to the Visit Midland Sports and Entertainment Program to support events intended to attract out-of-town visitors. Troy Bridal, director of Visit Midland, told council the funding would help 15 events (including soccer, baseball, volleyball, swimming and an esports event) that are projected to generate hotel room nights and sales-tax revenue. Two council members recorded abstentions; the motion carried with five votes in favor and two abstentions. (Public comments and questions on eligibility and post-event reporting were recorded.)

- Item 6 — Garfield Street paving project, change orders 1 and 2: Approved. Council authorized Change Order No. 1 for $627,860 to add safety improvements (enhanced signage and illumination) and Change Order No. 2 for $419,079.03 to cover field adjustments and project overruns. Staff said utilities work is complete and the project schedule targets fall 2025 completion. The change orders were described as necessary because some safety items were inadvertently omitted from the bid documents when the larger project was re-phased. Motion carried unanimously.

- Item 15 — Right-of-way license fee project account: Approved unanimously. The council created a project account to receive fees for right-of-way licenses (excluding those that involve airport or utilities land) and earmarked those funds for right-of-way acquisitions for road projects.

- Item 18 — Police equipment donation: Approved unanimously. The council accepted a $40,000 donation from MEC Petroleum Corporation to the Police Technology and Equipment Fund to purchase protective equipment for the Midland Police Department.

Zoning and land-use items (second readings and specific-use designations): Approved unanimously unless noted below. The council passed a set of ordinances amending the zoning district map or granting specific-use designations for properties across the city, including items 20–31. Highlights included:
- Item 20: Specific use designation permitting automobile and motorized-vehicle sales and service at Lot 1, Block 1, Cavender Edition (northwest corner Arlington Road and Deauville Boulevard).
- Item 21: Specific use designation (with term) for a 4,500-square-foot portion near North Big Spring Street and West Scarborough Avenue to allow on-premise sale of all alcoholic beverages in a lounge area.
- Item 22: Franchise ordinance granting Encore Electric Delivery Company LLC an electric power franchise to use city rights-of-way.
- Item 26: Rezoning in West 191 Industrial Park from RR to C to allow office/warehouse/restaurant uses; staff and the planning commission recommended approval.
- Item 27: Plan Development District (PD) rezoning for a 17.18-acre Habitat for Humanity development to allow 103 single-family residences and a pocket park (staff recommended approval subject to conditions including adherence to the submitted site plan and reserving one site for a playground).
- Items 28–31: Additional rezonings and a specific-use designation for an approximately 5,750-square-foot alcohol service area at a restaurant (Philly’s Golf Club) were approved.

Debt and financing measures

- Item 32 — General obligation refunding bonds: Approved unanimously. Council authorized parameters for issuing City of Midland General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2025, as part of a plan that staff and the city’s municipal advisers said could realize about $1.6 million in present-value savings on a refunding structure. City staff and municipal advisers said the approach also supports a broader financing plan to replenish cash used temporarily to address the firefighter pension fund, and preserves the city’s high bond rating.

- Item 33 — Tax and limited-pledge revenue certificates of obligation (COs): Approved unanimously. Council authorized issuance of certificates to fund capital items discussed in the budget process, including street and park improvements.

Appointments and procedural items

- Item 34 — Mayor pro tem appointment: Robin Poole was nominated and confirmed by the council.
- Item 35 — Boards and commissions: Council filled vacancies and reappointments to the Midland Development Corporation and Planning & Zoning Commission. Appointees were named on the record.

Public hearings and comment

- Items 24–25 (oil and gas permits for Deep Rock Oil Company LLC): Both items were public hearings; no members of the public spoke for or against these permits during the meeting.
- Item 36 (general public comment): A resident raised concerns about a demolition permit and environmental remediation related to a school district property and referenced a City ordinance from 1988; the speaker said neighbors felt they were not contacted. The matter was public comment only; no council action followed at this meeting.

What councilors said

Council members and staff repeatedly emphasized fiscal stewardship, preservation of bond ratings and the intent to avoid future subsidies from the general fund to enterprise operations such as the airport and golf course. Staff said enterprise funds are trending toward self-supporting operation, which bond raters treat as a positive. Council members also praised Habitat for Humanity and city staff for collaboration on the planned 103-home neighborhood.

Next steps

Several items (notably the bond sale) will proceed through the city’s established sale and closing processes. The Habitat platting and site improvements will continue through planning and permitting. Staff said the Garfield Street paving project will be staged and roadways opened as paving is completed to minimize rework and disruptions.

Provenance: Each action and vote is recorded in the council transcript for the January meeting; specific agenda item discussions begin at the timestamps listed below under provenance.