Latest news with #Odessans
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Why oil wealth hasn't fueled West Texas prosperity
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – Beneath the dirt roads and pumpjacks, lies one of the richest oil producing regions in the world. With all that wealth underneath, many residents have wondered why more money hasn't been poured back into Odessa. The Permian Paradox is a three-part series that examines the reality of life in West Texas from historical identity to infrastructure gaps to commercial stagnation. In Part I, Odessa Mayor Cal Hendrick explained Odessa's deep roots in cattle ranching and hard work. Hendrick, a fifth-generation Odessan, described the city as one originally built by ranchers and not developers. Furthermore, he said that legacy of self-sufficiency still shapes the city's culture and policies. '100 years ago, Odessans were cattlemen, and they wanted the town to reflect that. Which was good for then but it has cost us now,' said Hendrick. The independence helped Odessa thrive during oil booms but without long term planning, it left infrastructure behind. Roads, water systems and zoning laws to this day continues to have lingering issues. In Part 2, City Council At Large, Craig Stoker, spoke about the food desert and inconsistent infrastructure. Basic needs require a commute; some drive more than 20 miles to reach a full-service grocery store, and Councilman Stoker, who formally worked with the food bank, pointed to Odessa's outdated infrastructure as a key obstacle to development. 'We're out here on an island,' said Stoker. 'Most development happens along the I-35, I-45 corridors. Trucks don't come here daily like they do in places where there is real estate for it.' Stoker mentioned that the closest cold storage facility is in Lubbock, which makes it a 'nightmare' for retailers and grocery store chains. Stoker said, national brands like H-E-B are focused on metro expansion and not West Texas growth which forces residents to rely on smaller chains or even drive to Midland for weekly necessities. Meanwhile, Odessa's Development Corporation focuses on attracting manufacturing and industrial warehousing, not neighborhood amenities. Some have argued that while those investments bring jobs, they don't always improve residents' day-to-day quality of life. Part 3, addressed where the money is going. Despite Odessa's wealth in oil, many new developments are popping up in Midland County, instead. According to Kevin Dawson, a local development tracker and Founder of Maybe in Midland/Odessa, most of the area's commercial growth is funded by private investors and families who already live in the region. 'Development here is local,' said Dawson. 'Its about who's within a 1-3-5 mile radius. Daily traffic, income levels, population, and its not just oil production that drives whats built.' This means areas with higher population density like parts of Midland, get more attention from developers. Meanwhile many Odessans continue to wait for the basics. There is hope. The mayor says long term projects like a new sports complex and much improved water infrastructure are in the works Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
OUR VIEW: Richard Morton deserves thanks from Odessa
May 27—To say things were not good when Richard Morton stepped into former Odessa City Manager John Beckmeyer's shoes on Dec. 2 is a massive understatement. Deputy City Manager Agapito Bernal was being investigated by an outside law firm, Equipment Service Director Chris Adams had just been fired after questions arose about his spending habits and Parks and Recreation Director Max Reyes was on paid leave after being charged with official oppression and indecent assault. Cyber attackers had just struck, impacting the ability of every city department to function. Morale amongst city employees was in the crapper. Hundreds of years of institutional knowledge had walked out the door in the last two years thanks to an unemployed mayor who spent his days micromanaging at City Hall and berating staff at city council meetings. And then we had the issues Odessans care most about — trash, water lines and the wastewater treatment plant. Oh, and let's not forget the city had yet to figure out how to pay for the new sports complex without having bond ratings. Richard Morton was the right guy for the job of interim city manager at the right time. Not only did he have a reputation for being able to right flailing ships. He was intimately familiar with Odessa having worked for the city for 19 years, including 15 years as city manager. Now nearly six months later, Morton is saying goodbye and David Vela, Sweetwater's former city manager, is stepping in. Bernal, Adams and Reyes are long gone. We have enough trash trucks to resume twice-a-week service once more drivers are hired, we've recovered from the cyberattack, water lines are being repaired and replaced and designs are being drawn for the Bob Derrington Wastewater Treatment Plant. Morton, the city council and their financial advisors have also figured out a way to pay for the new $130 million sports complex, too. During a recent interview Morton said he is happy with where the city is now, but declined to take any credit for it. "Anything I've done council deserves credit for ... I mean, take the mayor's first 100 Days and add a few things to it, and we're there. So like I said, it's, really, council should get credit for any positive changes," Morton said. Pushed a little bit harder, Morton conceded he did have some impact on City Hall. "I think with my entrance and being a known factor, I believe I had a calming impact on the organization and I think that was good. The culture and the organization was not the best," Morton said. "I think there was a lot of individuals looking out for themselves rather than being part of the team and that's a culture change that I can't change overnight, but I think we're started in the right direction." Morton said during his time with the city he has stressed over and over again they are in the customer service business. "We exist to serve the citizens and the businesses in town and while the customer is not always right, they're always important and they need to be treated as such," Morton said. "Does that mean we're going to be perfect? No, we're still going to make mistakes and when we make mistakes, we get them corrected and we own up to them." Re-read that last sentence. "We own up to them." When was the last time you heard those words from anyone at City Hall? Yes, Mr. Morton. You will most definitely be missed. Still, while Morton's modesty is a breath of fresh air, we think his contributions to the city's well-being go far, far beyond being a nice, professional guy. For Pete's sake, we've all been under the impression Odessa has been in the middle of a five-alarm fire for the past couple of years with no money in the kitty for water line breaks and with the Derrington Plant ready to fail at any moment. Morton found a whopping $500 million laying around! He found enough money to back fill positions the old council had gutted, $90 million for the sports complex, money to build a new north side water tower, a little extra money to put toward the $2 billion we need in new water and sewer pipes and at least $16 million for the Derrington Plant. While not nearly enough to meet all of the city's needs, we think you'd agree, it certainly isn't some small sum. Asked how on earth this money could have gone unnoticed, Morton said, "I just don't think the right questions were asked." Gee, do you think the fact most of the city's financial department fled during former Mayor Javier Joven's regime had anything to do with that? During our interview with Morton, we also learned some bad news. Bad news we think can also directly be linked to Joven's regime and the exodus of the finance department. Remember the raises council members Denise Swanner, Mark Matta and Joven insisted on giving to first responders using ARPA money? The raises the smart people in the room wondered about sustaining once the COVID money went away? Well, Morton said that in order to sustain those raises and to help out other city employees, the city council will be asked to adopt the max tax rate this year, which will probably mean a two cent tax increase. He'll also be asking for a solid waste increase, but said water rates will likely remain the same. The loss of the ARPA funds, Morton said, created a $5 million hole in the budget. None of that is great news, but doesn't it make you wonder what sort of shape we'd be in by 2028 had Joven, Swanner, Matta been re-elected? Especially since we're pretty sure Beckmeyer, who had zero municipal management experience, would still be in place. So to get back to the point, we're thrilled we've had Morton over the last six months. He found the $500 million and under his watch, the 2023 and 2024 audits are finally getting closer to completion. He predicts the '23 audit will go to the council June 10 and the '24 audit will be completed sometime before November. He's also been thinking about Odessa and it's well-being long after he hits the road. For example, he's going to suggest the city council ask voters to make changes to the Odessa Development Corporation — changes that would allow the city more access to their share of sales tax revenue. He's already spent some time with Vela getting him up to speed and Assistant City Manager Aaron Smith will be able to help him out, too, as he's been involved in most of the major projects, too, Morton said. "Ultimately, the city manager's job is to develop the budget with his team, the finance people and the department heads and then present that budget to the council," Morton said. "It's the council's responsibility to change or alter that in any way that they think as a group. David is very aware of that and I think his management style is very similar to mine and he's been very successful where he's been." Fingers crossed.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Odessans asked for new courthouse input
May 14—The general consensus of a Wednesday public meeting to guide the look and amenities of the coming courthouse seems to be creating a space that the next generation will find was a good investment. Members of the Butler-Cohen design-build team met with a variety of Odessans from those who work at the courthouse to elected officials to folks who are just interested in the project. A new courthouse is coming and is funded by $325 million in certificates of obligation issued by county commissioners last November. The certificates will also fund an overhaul of the Ector County Juvenile Justice Center. Since that time it's been a bit of a roller coaster of land purchases and a current state of uncertainty of where the courthouse will be built. The preferred plan is to build it at the site of the current downtown U.S. Post Office. The county purchased that land for $4.7 million last year. What is holding things up is an agreement with the USPS to abandon that office and relocate as they still have a lease on the space despite the sale of the land. Originally the county was going to assist the USPS in finding a new location but that has been abandoned as the amount the USPS pays to lease the downtown location and the needs of the USPS for what that new office will entail have been problematic, per County Judge Dustin Fawcett. Fawcett has said the county now hopes to get the USPS to sign on the dotted line to leave their current spot and move into the bottom floor of the planned parking garage that will sit near the new courthouse. That agreement, Fawcett said, should have some answer in the next 30 days or so. If a deal cannot be reached the new courthouse will have to be relocated. Commissioner Samantha Russell has pitched locating the new courthouse at the site of the current health department. That plan, Fawcett said, was looked at about 18 months ago by the court prior to Russell taking office. On Tuesday members of the committee created to look at building a new library admonished the court telling them that health department land was promised to the group for a new library build. The library group did not walk away Tuesday with the deed to the land but did get a promised $10 million in county funds moved into an account that can be used as the new library moves forward. They were asked to be patient until word from USPS and their plans are decided. On Tuesday the commissioners court also agreed to allow Butler-Cohen the use of the old Henderson Drug building as a construction office for the life of the courthouse project. The Butler-Cohen reps led the Wednesday meeting and said other meetings as well as a website and a QR code will be used to keep the public informed and to solicit suggestions from Odessans about what they called a project that will change the face of downtown Odessa. Participants asked for a new courthouse that is cost efficient, taxpayer friendly, easy to maintain and accessible to all. Parking was a major concern that came up over and over. Russell had pitched not building a parking garage in a previous commissioners meeting but that idea seemed to be overwhelmingly panned Wednesday by those who work downtown and use the courthouse daily. Some said courthouse staff can have to walk several blocks just to get to the office and that a parking garage is important. Butler-Cohen reps said there is value in having these meetings for the collaboration and to end up with a system that is user friendly and what the community needs. Other ideas thrown out included an outdoor area that is secure for employees to use as well as color coordinated signage and drive through or walk up windows for those doing business at the court. On June 23 the group will meet stakeholders for operational discussions. The new courthouse will be funded by $325 million in certificates of obligation issued by county commissioners in November. The debt will increase property taxes for Ector County residents. Owners of a $210,000 home in Ector County will pay about $17 more a month in property taxes. A $210,000 home has a $170,000 taxable value. The certificates will also fund an overhaul of the Ector County Juvenile Justice Center.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
County to canvass votes, discuss library
May 12—Ector County Commissioners this week will canvass vote totals and take action on the creation of Emergency Services Districts 1 and 2 created by the recent election as well as discuss the library. The meeting is scheduled at 10 a.m. Tuesday for the commissioners court at the Courthouse Annex, 1010 E. Eighth St. The court will canvass votes on Wednesday. Ector County Judge Dustin Fawcett said the court will write an order to create Emergency Service Districts 1 and 2 Wednesday and send that to the Ector County Appraisal District. A meeting on May 27 will be held for the court to appoint a board to govern the districts. He said about 10 people have applied for the volunteer governing slots and applications are still being accepted for those wanting to serve on the board that will eventually be elected. He said qualified people will live in the county, must be 18 and a qualified voter. The court will also assess what the nature of the interest of applicants is and appoint the five members. The appointed board will govern both districts. Commissioners will also hear from the Ector County Library Foundation about a new library construction project. In November 2024 the court voted unanimously to earmark $10 million for the new library, which is scheduled to sit at the site of the current Ector County Health Department. Fawcett said the Foundation is in a capital campaign for the project and must raise more than half of the projected cost. On Tuesday, they are being asked to approve the $10 million county portion of the build. In other business Fawcett will ask the court to vote for a resolution to freeze property tax rates for senior citizens over 65 and the disabled. He said the county currently has an exemption of $25,000 for seniors and $3,000 for the disabled but this proposal will put a ceiling or a freeze on what those groups currently pay. "It will be frozen at the 2025 number and won't ever go up but can go down," he said adding that as Odessans reach age 65 their rates will also be frozen. "Lots of people live on a fixed income and ... I would rather freeze it for them ... That is better policy," Fawcett added. The agenda details the court will also discuss videoconferencing for the court. Currently, elected court members can video conference in to meetings but cannot vote. They must be in person to vote, something Fawcett said he believes is important. He said the county would likely have to purchase new technology and software to allow all members to be visible on the screen during a meeting where someone is dialing in remote. "I am not in favor of getting new technology when we just upgraded ... not a good use of tax dollars. I know sometimes we all have unforeseen circumstances and have to miss, but the meetings are the only requirement and are just twice a month, not including budget hearings or special meetings." Commissioners will go into executive session for discussions about legal matters and the hiring of an HR leader. Following that executive session commissioners will begin public meetings about the new courthouse as it heads into the design-build phase. Fawcett said citizens who want to speak at the workshop will need to fill out a participation form at the beginning of the regular meeting. The workshop, he said, will likely take the rest of the day and re-convene on Wednesday.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mitchell will apologize today
May 6—Odessa City Councilman Eddie Mitchell said he plans to apologize during his 11 a.m. news conference at City Hall to the citizens of Odessa. Mitchell said he will not take questions because of the racial overtones that have occurred on the Facebook page of Odessa Headlines. "I want to apologize for things I said and I want people to know that I will make the motion to table this ordinance change that has caused all of this." Mitchell is referring to a recent letter from the Planning and Zoning department that went out to citizens that may have led some to think their mobile homes would not be allowed in Odessa. City council voted to send the matter to the zoning board, which voted it down after a packed room came out to urge them to vote no. Mitchell had a number of back and forths on social media with Odessans about the ordinance. "I do apologize for language I have used and this is not what I intended. I am passionate about my neighborhood and the city of Odessa." He said he will make a motion at the next city council meeting on Tuesday and he will urge other councilmembers to vote to table the item. "We need to have town halls and let the people of Odessa have their say. People are upset that letter went out and I don't want people to be mad at me because I'm passionate and I love Odessa and I'm too loud but I am always available to talk to anyone. Come talk to me. Let's work on change together." He said the fake news site Odessa Headlines has stirred up racial tension over the matter. Last night a comment on the site called Mitchell the N word. "There won't be any questions today because Odessa Headlines has turned this into a racial problem. It shouldn't be like this in Odessa," Mitchell said. He said he looks forward to working with his District 1 neighbors and all Odessans to come up with positive solutions to zoning issues.
