Tuesday night’s Amarillo City Council candidate forum at First Family Church Auditorium provided voters with a clear view of where each contender stands on key issues. With the May municipal election approaching, candidates for Places 1 through 4 tackled pressing topics such as city infrastructure, government transparency, and economic development. Their responses revealed differing approaches to problem-solving, yet a shared commitment to making Amarillo a better place to live and work.
Here’s a breakdown of the major themes from the debate and what voters need to know before heading to the polls.
Beyond Roads, Taxes, and Crime: What Else Matters?
While infrastructure, crime reduction, and low taxes remain major talking points, candidates were asked to highlight three additional priorities shaping their campaigns.
Key Issues Raised:
Public Safety & Community Investment
Incumbent Tom Scherlen (Place 3) emphasized ongoing efforts to enhance public safety and fund underserved neighborhoods, pointing to investments in a regional crime center and North Heights community services.
Fiscal Responsibility & Budgeting Reforms
Tim Reid (Place 1) and Patrick Miller (Place 1) both stressed the need for more disciplined city spending. Reid, citing his experience managing a $65 million FBI budget, proposed zero-based budgeting, while Miller argued that past financial missteps have hurt the city’s ability to fund critical services.
Transparency & Public Engagement
Don Tipps (Place 2) and Leif Kertis (Place 4) both called for clearer financial oversight, with Tipps citing the council’s discovery of $2 million in overcharges that ultimately funded first responder pay raises.
Homelessness & Social Services
David Prescott (Place 3) and Tim Reid (Place 1) made a case for stronger homelessness initiatives, with Prescott drawing from personal experience assisting a homeless family member.
Investing in Amarillo’s Future
Nune Perez (Place 3) advocated for youth sports facilities to keep local talent engaged, while Les Simpson (Place 4) pushed for strategic budgeting to ensure core city services remain well-funded.
Takeaway for Voters: Candidates generally agreed that Amarillo needs to plan for growth responsibly but differed on how to balance spending with taxpayer accountability.
Cutting Red Tape: Fixing Amarillo’s Permit & Inspection Process
Amarillo’s business and development community often struggle with bureaucratic delays. Candidates were asked how they would streamline permits and inspections while keeping safety intact.
Proposed Solutions:
Modernization & Digital Efficiency
Les Simpson (Place 4) suggested directing the city manager to update outdated processes, emphasizing that a more business-friendly Amarillo means more local revenue.
Don Tipps (Place 2) pointed to existing improvements, such as tech-driven scheduling and merit-based pay for inspectors.
Removing Outdated Regulations
Leif Kertis (Place 4) proposed a “cause analysis” approach—if a regulation no longer serves a purpose, it should be eliminated.
Tim Reid (Place 1) and Patrick Miller (Place 1) called for comprehensive code audits to remove obsolete ordinances.
Empowering Experienced Staff
David Prescott (Place 3) argued that the city’s long-time professionals already know what works and should be given more autonomy.
Addressing Business Relocation Hurdles
Nune Perez (Place 3) highlighted the difficulty businesses face when moving from out of state, calling for fewer redundant local audits.
Takeaway for Voters: There is strong momentum for reducing regulatory barriers, but candidates differ on the best method—whether through digital modernization, deregulation, or staff empowerment.
The Role of the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC)
The final major topic centered on the AEDC’s role in growing Amarillo’s economy. Should it remain under city council oversight, or should it operate independently?
Candidate Positions:
Maintain City Council Oversight
Leif Kertis (Place 4) and Tom Scherlen (Place 3) both argued that taxpayer dollars require strict accountability, with Kertis calling for transparent, measurable outcomes.
Don Tipps (Place 2) noted that changes are already underway, including updated bylaws and a new board appointment process.
Clarify and Strengthen the AEDC’s Mission
Tim Reid (Place 1) stressed that the AEDC is crucial for attracting business but needs a well-defined scope.
Patrick Miller (Place 1) cautioned against blindly copying other cities’ economic development models, urging a focus on manufacturing and stable job creation.
Competitiveness & Transparency
David Prescott (Place 3) reminded voters that Amarillo is competing with hundreds of other Texas cities for economic opportunities.
Nune Perez (Place 3) called for clear, quantifiable goals so residents can see where their tax dollars are going.
Takeaway for Voters: While candidates recognize the AEDC’s importance, they debate how much control the city council should have over its decision-making.
Final Thoughts: What This Means for Amarillo
The City Council debate provided valuable insights into where each candidate stands on Amarillo’s future. While they shared common goals—economic growth, responsible budgeting, and efficient governance—their strategies varied:
Fiscal conservatives like Tipps, Simpson, and Kertis champion strict oversight and cost-cutting.
Community-focused candidates like Prescott and Perez push for social investments and equitable development.
Reformers like Reid and Miller advocate for major policy shifts, particularly in budgeting and economic incentives.
As Amarillo voters prepare to cast their ballots in May, they should consider which vision aligns most with their priorities. Early voting is set to begin this month, and the deadline to register is Thursday, April 3.
