The Amarillo City Council on Tuesday, July 22 set a special meeting for Aug. 7 to appoint a new member to the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation board — a move aimed at restoring momentum and ensuring full participation at the board’s upcoming Aug. 12 meeting.
The vacancy follows the sudden resignation of AEDC board chair Alex Fairly, who gave no public explanation for stepping down. Council members and AEDC staff said they were caught off guard by his departure, which left the board with just four voting members at a time when major decisions — including the hiring of a new CEO — remain unresolved.
Council eyes experience to stabilize AEDC
After initial discussion focused on qualifications for the open seat — such as business experience and prior AEDC involvement — Councilmember David Prescott pivoted the conversation by naming two candidates: Will Miller, an executive with FirstBank Southwest, and Brian Bruckner, a former AEDC board member and president of Bruckner’s Truck Sales.
“We’ve had a season of confusion, and we can’t afford to wait any longer,” Prescott said. “We need people with institutional knowledge, business expertise and no political agenda.”
Prescott emphasized that the appointment should not be driven by ideology or factional support.
“This cannot be about loyalty to any one group or person,” he said. “This has to be about the mission and ensuring AEDC gets back on track.”
Councilmember Les Simpson backed Bruckner’s nomination, citing his prior role on two AEDC executive search committees and his familiarity with the agency’s operations.
“At this point, we need someone with a proven understanding of the AEDC’s history and structure,” Simpson said.
Mayor Cole Stanley praised Fairly’s past leadership but said it was time for the council to commit to long-term stability.
“You can love him or hate him, but you can’t deny what he’s done for this community,” Stanley said. “He stepped up when others wouldn’t. But now, we need to assemble a team that can lead this city’s economic development efforts into the next decade.”
Stanley said holding the appointment on Aug. 7 would ensure the new board member is seated in time for the AEDC’s Aug. 12 meeting and “not be too far behind” on upcoming issues.
The AEDC has been without a permanent president since Kevin Carter was removed in late January. More than six months later, no executive search firm has been hired to begin the process of finding a replacement — further compounding concerns about the organization’s direction.
Council seeks clearer public data on incentives
Interim AEDC CEO Doug Nelson told the council that project volume had dropped to about half of normal in recent months but is starting to rebound. Council members raised concerns about Amarillo’s ability to stay competitive without a full board and permanent executive leadership.
Prescott said he plans to request economic impact reports for all AEDC-backed projects so that the public can better understand what outcomes are being generated from public investments.
“These are public dollars,” Prescott said. “If we want trust, we need to be able to show the public what they’re getting in return — whether it’s a large campus, a job training initiative, or anything else the AEDC is backing. without a political agenda.”
He also asked for an impact report on the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine to compare against claims made by Fairly during past discussions.
Council unanimously approves aerospace incentives
Council members unanimously approved an incentive package for International Aerospace Coatings (IAC), which plans to build $27 million in new facilities at the Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport.
The deal includes a 50-year lease agreement that authorizes construction of a wide-body aircraft paint hangar and additional storage space. IAC will pay $42,893 in annual rent, rising to $47,431 in July 2027.
The AEDC previously approved a job creation incentive of up to $700,000, based on $10,000 per job for up to 70 new positions over five years.
The city’s contribution includes an 80% property tax abatement on new improvements in year one, decreasing by 10% annually over the eight-year term of the agreement.
Fire Station 14 project moves forward
The council also approved a $7.5 million construction contract for Fire Station 14, to be built near Helium Road in Amarillo’s fast-growing northwest medical district.
“This is about life safety,” said Jerry Danforth, managing director of capital projects. “Response times in that area will be dramatically reduced.”
The new station will house two fire companies and include dedicated space for firefighter training. Construction is expected to begin within 30 days and finish in about 14 months.
“This will be a signature station — modern, efficient, and built with Amarillo’s future in mind,” Danforth said.
Mayor Stanley said the project was critical for public safety as the city continues to expand.
Park upgrades approved for John Stiff Memorial
The council approved $563,580 in parking lot improvements at John Stiff Memorial Park, funded through the general fund and previous bond proceeds.
In addition, a change order was authorized to extend the park’s lighting project. New LED lighting and control systems will now also cover the park’s new parking areas and proposed connector road. The amendment added $226,060 in costs, bringing the total lighting project to over $7.5 million.
City staff said the upgrades will enhance safety and access for families using the skate park, volleyball courts and other amenities.
What’s next
The AEDC board appointment will be made during the Aug. 7 special meeting. If approved, the new member will be seated for the Aug. 12 AEDC board session.
Council members also indicated they plan to revisit Amarillo’s infrastructure priorities, including check register transparency, wastewater upgrades, and further governance reforms in upcoming meetings.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo council takeaways: Members set AEDC vote, approve aerospace and safety projects
Reporting by Michael Cuviello, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
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