Government & Development
Expenses rising higher than expected revenue has city looking at challenging budget for fiscal 2026-27
City officials say specialized expenses—such as emergency vehicles, road materials and public-safety facilities—are increasing much faster than tax and fee collections Lubbock officials are preparing for a difficult 2026-27 budget process as modest revenue growth collides with rapidly increasing costs for vehicles, construction materials, employee compensation and other municipal needs. City Manager Jarrett Atkinson and members of the Lubbock City…
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Why Lubbock Constantly Needs Residents to Serve on Boards and Commissions
Lubbock’s city government depends on hundreds of residents who volunteer their time to help shape decisions involving transportation, public health, zoning, utilities, parks, housing and economic development. Because the city operates dozens of boards and commissions—each with multiple positions, fixed terms and different membership requirements—recruiting qualified volunteers is a continuous…
Texas Tech Looked to Proposition 5 for Research Growth—and a Boost to Lubbock’s Economy
Editor’s note: This article reflects the Proposition 5 debate in October 2023 and includes the measure’s eventual outcome. Texas Tech University stood to receive millions of dollars for research under a proposed state endowment that supporters said could also strengthen Lubbock’s broader economy. Texas voters considered the proposal—listed as Proposition…
Lubbock’s Marijuana Initiative Raised a Bigger Question: Could the City Override Texas Law?
LUBBOCK, Texas — Lubbock residents earned the opportunity to vote on a proposal limiting arrests and citations for misdemeanor marijuana possession, but city leaders warned that voter approval might not make the policy legally enforceable. The proposal, called the Freedom Act Lubbock, would have directed Lubbock Police Department officers not…