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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Wesley Houck Made Leadership Central to His Campaign for Lubbock County Judge
The Wolfforth council member cited his move from Oregon, business experience and concerns about discord in county government as reasons for challenging incumbent Curtis Parrish. Wesley “Wes” Houck entered the 2026 race for Lubbock County judge with an unusual political résumé: a longtime Oregon resident who moved his family to…
Oncor Sues Lubbock and LP&L Over Ownership of West Loop Transmission Station
The lawsuit does not challenge every part of the proposed reliability project. It asks a court to decide whether LP&L may own the 345-kilovolt facilities needed for a fourth connection to ERCOT. Oncor Electric Delivery Company has sued the City of Lubbock and Lubbock Power & Light over who would…
Lubbock County Commissioners Advance $67 Million Expo Center Plan Over Judge’s Objections
The 4-1 vote authorized a new design and continued financial planning, but commissioners retained the ability to reject the project before construction begins. Lubbock County commissioners advanced a revised plan for the proposed Expo Center in January, approving its next development steps despite strong objections from County Judge Curtis Parrish.…
Lubbock ISD Adopts New Framework for Future School Closures and Consolidations
The district’s new process uses enrollment, building utilization and per-student spending to identify campuses for review while giving families earlier access to the data. The Lubbock Independent School District has adopted a formal process for evaluating future school closures and consolidations, an effort trustees say should give families more notice…
Blowing Grass Clippings or Leaves Into Lubbock Streets Is Illegal—Yet It Remains Common
LUBBOCK, Texas — Blowing grass clippings or fallen leaves into the street may appear to be a harmless way to finish yardwork. In Lubbock, however, it violates city ordinance—and can create drainage and water-quality problems long after the lawn crew has left. The city’s stormwater ordinance prohibits intentionally disposing of…
Lubbock’s Citywide Rezoning Begins With Dispute Over East Fourth Street Land
Planning officials proposed correcting zoning on nearly 1,000 parcels, but industrial zoning for a tract beside Leprino Foods prompted objections from North and East Lubbock residents. Lubbock’s effort to update zoning across the city began with a dispute over approximately 111 acres in northeast Lubbock, where residents and an economic…