Council to consider spending plans for sports complex

Photo credit: City of Midland

What to watch: The Midland City Council will meet Tuesday, Nov. 17, to decide how two special tax districts will spend the money they collect over the next 30 years. In the tax district around the Scharbauer Sports Complex, about $1 million a year (about half of all the TIRZ No. 4 funds) would go toward running and maintaining facilities such as the complex.  In 2026 the city budgeted about $1.6 million of tax dollars to support running the Sports complex which had an annual budget of $3.7 million.

Council will also consider expanding that zone to include Beal Park, accepting an $8.7 million federal grant for Lamesa Road safety improvements, approving $7.2 million for the Sinclair Avenue extension and an 83-lot subdivision outside city limits that staff recommends denying.

Key points:

• Sports complex tax zone: Council will consider the final project and financing plan for TIRZ No. 4, created in December 2024 around the Scharbauer Sports Complex. The Sports complex was built and maintained with a 4B sales tax that ended in 2018. A TIRZ redirects a portion of new tax generated within its boundaries toward projects in the zone rather than the city’s and county’s general budgets. The plan projects $66 million in collectable new taxes through 2054 in the TIRZ.  The city would collect and contribute up to $37.4 million and $18.5 million of new property tax sales tax and Midland County would collect and contribute up to $10.2 million of property tax . Earlier this month, the county appointed Commissioner Charles Hall to the zone’s board, which must recommend the plan before council votes.

• Beal Park expansion: Council will hold a separate public hearing on adding Beal Park to the tax increment reinvestment zone around the Scharbauer Sports Complex, known as TIRZ No. 4. Only the city’s share of the zone’s revenue could be spent on Beal Park. County contributions would remain restricted to projects in the original Sports Complex area. In June, council approved a $20.7 million contract for Phase 2 of the park’s renovation.

• SH 191 tax zone: Council will consider the final spending plan for TIRZ No. 3, which covers about 1,800 acres along the State Highway 191 corridor, including the Costco area. The plan projects $14 million in eligible costs for roads, intersections, utilities and drainage improvements. The city would contribute up to about $10.2 million and the county$3.8 million. The zone generated $24,895 in fiscal year 2026, with $135,201 projected for fiscal year 2027. Commissioner Dianne Anderson represents the county on the zone’s board. City staff previously said the Sinclair Avenue extension would support development in TIRZ No. 3.

• Lamesa Road safety improvements: Council will consider accepting an $8.7 million federal Safe Streets and Roads for All grant for improvements along about 1.4 miles of Lamesa Road, from Business I-20 to Gist Avenue, and citywide traffic signal timing. The project includes new traffic signals, sidewalks, crosswalks, lighting and measures to slow traffic. The city must provide a $2.2 million local match and cover any cost overruns. Because the federal grant reimburses the city after expenses are paid, staff proposes transferring $8.7 million from unspent general fund reserves to cover the federal portion upfront.

• Sinclair Avenue extension: Council will consider a $6 million contract plus $1.2 million in contingencies for Phase III of Sinclair Avenue, now named Diane & Jose Cuevas Boulevard, and a Loop 250 deceleration lane. In August, council approved $7.5 million in certificates of obligation to extend Sinclair west from Kirkland Drive to County Road 1250. The certificates are a form of debt issued by the city in 2025.

• 83-lot subdivision: Permian Development Group is requesting approval to divide 87.92 acres north of East County Road 130, about 1,290 feet east of FM 1213, into 83 residential lots. Staff recommends denial because city engineers rejected the drainage report. County Road 130 does not meet city standards and no sewer service exists along the property. The land is in Midland’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), an area outside city limits where the city has limited authority over land development. Texas law does not require cities to maintain these areas, and property owners can petition to leave them.

• Animal sanctuary rezoning: Council will hold a public hearing on rezoning 24.76 acres about 650 feet north of East Cynthia Drive to agricultural estate for the Lone Star Sanctuary for Animals’ new location. On Nov. 2, the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved the sanctuary’s preliminary plat. Staff recommended approval provided council first approves the rezoning. Staff says the request aligns with the comprehensive plan’s park and open space designation.

• Fire equipment: Council will consider purchasing a fire pumper truck for $1,998,000 and two ambulances for $837,725 through cooperative purchasing contracts. The pumper would cost $108,000 more than its $1.9 million budget, while the ambulances would cost about $122,000 less than their $960,000 budget.

• Pipeline license: Council will consider allowing Eiger Express Pipeline to bury a 42-inch pipeline across city-owned property. Staff says the pipeline would be buried at least 36 inches deep and would not interfere with Sprayberry Farm operations. The city would receive $905,025 for the right-of-way license.

• Golf carts: Council will consider a $720,000 lease for 130 electric golf carts. Staff says replacing the carts every 36 months would avoid additional battery replacement costs and expired warranties.