Odessa focus group recommends new police facility and a 3.08¢ sales-tax question for voters

A City of Odessa focus group on police facilities concluded that the group will recommend construction of a new police facility on city‑owned property and asked that the Board of Aldermen place a $3.08 public‑safety sales‑tax question on the ballot to fund the project.

The group’s draft letter, which will go to the Board of Aldermen, recommends new construction on the city parcel identified in the draft as 104 East Bridal at the corner of Dryden and First Street, directly across from the Odessa post office. Committee members and consultants discussed building size, staffing and financing before agreeing to drop a fixed $4.9 million figure from the letter and instead recommend the 3.08¢ tax as the funding mechanism.

Why it matters: The recommendation steers the city toward asking voters to approve a dedicated local sales tax to pay for a public‑safety facility that committee members said must balance officer safety, citizen access and cost effectiveness. The group emphasized clear public outreach, an oversight mechanism to monitor tax dollars and flexibility for future expansion.

Committee discussion focused on three practical questions: what size facility to propose, how many officers the space should accommodate and how to present costs to voters. Members debated removing phrases such as "generations to come" in favor of "foreseeable growth" and discussed prior designs that ranged from roughly 6,000 to more than 12,000 square feet. The group’s working target included a usable suite around 6,000 square feet with an overall building footprint discussed in the 6,000–8,000 sq ft range; members described 6,000 sq ft as a "bare minimum" for current operations and programming.

The chief, speaking to staffing and program needs, said the department currently has 16 employees (four assigned to schools) and that, by standard officer‑to‑population ratios cited in the needs assessment, the department would ultimately need more officers to meet projected service levels. "I could do a lot of good in this community with five more officers," the chief said, arguing that a smaller building could be made to function but would reduce programming space.

On financing, the focus group debated whether to include an estimated total project cost in the draft. Industry professionals had previously estimated a total project cost in "today’s dollars" near $4.9 million including construction and soft costs, but members said those numbers are volatile and recommended leaving firm cost figures to the Board of Aldermen and later ballot materials. The group agreed instead to recommend placing a $3.08 public‑safety sales‑tax question on the ballot over a 25–30 year repayment assumption. The draft notes that the tax would be dedicated to the facility and any associated maintenance costs.

The group also recommended the Board of Aldermen consider establishing an oversight board to monitor use of public safety‑tax dollars and advised active public engagement—mailers, newspaper ads, social media and open houses—to explain the proposal to voters. Committee members discussed timing and preferred placing the question in a municipal election year (they suggested 2026) to avoid higher costs and to maximize focused turnout.

Next steps: the focus group will finalize the written recommendation, print and sign the letter, and present it to the Board of Aldermen. Committee members volunteered to attend the aldermen meeting to answer questions; the draft will be posted on the focus‑group page and used for public information and outreach.

The meeting ended with thanks to volunteers and presenters; the group adjourned after confirming the draft and next steps.