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Council discusses 'sunset' committee to review outdated local codes and streamline permitting
Summary
Councilman Simpson proposed a citizen task force to review and recommend removal or update of obsolete local codes and standards; council asked staff to compile board‑chair lists and to bring the proposal back for additional discussion and possible resolution.
Councilman Simpson proposed forming a temporary citizen advisory committee — described as a "sunset committee" or codes-and-standards task force — to review Amarillo’s local codes, remove out-of-date provisions and recommend streamlining measures designed to make permitting and inspections easier for residents and businesses.
Simpson said the committee could operate as a one-year pilot composed of board chairs, experienced industry professionals and subject-matter volunteers who could identify ordinances and processes that impose unnecessary burdens while safeguarding life-safety standards. He suggested the committee focus on targeted subjects — for example, building/permitting rules, energy-code impacts, environmental/erosion requirements or other overlapping technical codes — and provide focused recommendations rather than attempt to rewrite the complete codebook.
Council reaction and intended process Several council members supported the concept in principle but urged careful scoping. Council asked staff to compile a list of current board chairs and standing commissions that might be sources of nominees and to return with a second discussion item. Simpson said he preferred a first work session to refine priorities before council creates a formal resolution establishing the committee. Staff agreed to return with options for the committee’s charge and membership and to identify likely subject areas for early review.
Rationale and limits Simpson and other councilors stressed they were not seeking to compromise life-safety codes, but rather to remove obsolete or duplicative rules that create delay and complexity for small businesses and homeowners. Staff cautioned that some code changes could be constrained by state or federal law and promised to flag areas where local authority is limited.
Next steps Deputy staff will circulate a list of boards and chairs, and council will hold a second discussion to refine the committee’s scope and candidate pool; council agreed not to finalize an ordinance creating the task force until after that follow-up discussion.
