What to watch: Midland City Council will meet Tuesday, Oct. 27, to consider a $12.6 million project to prepare Midland Airpark for privately built hangars and a $332,188 emergency phone system at Midland International Air & Space Port that could eliminate about $1.74 million in annual phone charges.

Council will also consider buying 42 police vehicles for $3.4 million, pipeline agreements that would bring in about $3.1 million and final votes on the horse-grazing rezoning, new road costs for developers and an Occidental Parkway apartment complex.

Key points:

  • Airpark hangar project: Council will consider an $8.4 million contract to build taxiway access, extend utilities and prepare Midland Airpark for future private hangars.

The project would include engineering, utility installation and a 20% contingency and will cost about $12.6 million from the Airport Operating Fund’s unappropriated fund balance.

Midland’s top stories. One quick email. Free, every Friday.
Get Midland Wrapped, our free weekly email for busy Midland residents. Each Friday, we break down the week’s most important local stories — what happened, why it matters, and what to watch next — so you can stay informed without the noise.

Private investors would build and maintain their own hangars under long-term ground leases. Staff said this would allow the airport to expand aircraft storage and collect lease revenue “without using public funds to construct individual hangars.”

The city received three bids, all below the engineer’s estimate. Construction is expected to begin in early 2027.

  • Airport emergency phones: Council will consider a $332,188 contract to replace the airport’s aging analog emergency phone system. The system connects the FAA control tower, airport firefighters and airport operations during aircraft emergencies.

Staff said AT&T has “dramatically increased” charges for the existing lines. The airport’s most recent monthly bill was about $145,000, or $1.74 million a year.

The proposed internet-based system is used at more than 60 commercial airports, according to staff.

  • Police vehicles: Council will consider buying 42 fully equipped police vehicles from The Sewell Family of Companies for $3,366,369.17, below the $3.66 million budgeted.

The purchase includes 32 Chevrolet Tahoes, seven Ford Explorers for detectives, two Ford Mustang GTs for undercover work and one Ford F-150. Staff said the vehicles would replace units that have exceeded their useful life.

  • Pipeline licenses: Council will consider seven agreements allowing oil, gas and water pipelines to cross city-owned land, including Sprayberry Farm and T-Bar Ranch.

Six agreements would bring in about $3.1 million in upfront payments covering 10 years. The seventh would amend an existing Diamondback agreement that has already been paid.

The largest agreement involves a 24-inch ONEOK gas pipeline across T-Bar Ranch in Loving and Winkler counties. It would pay the city about $2.24 million and automatically renew every 10 years.

The city owns groundwater rights at the T-Bar Ranch wellfield, which draws water from the Pecos Valley Aquifer, The Permian Press previously reported.

  • Jadan Kate subdivision: Council will consider dividing 36.72 acres at the southwest corner of Jadan Kate Road and Elkins Road into six lots.

Last week, the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved the preliminary plat after city staff reversed its earlier recommendation to deny the request.

The developer of nearby Timberwolf Estates opposed the subdivision over concerns about future development and property values.

A representative for the property owner said there are no current development plans and the owner wants to divide and sell the land.

Preliminary plats covering 25 acres or more require City Council approval before a final plat.

  • Horse-grazing rezoning: Council will hold a final vote on rezoning about nine acres near Breckenridge Drive and Woodland Park Avenue from single-family residential to agricultural estate.

Council unanimously approved the first reading Oct. 13 to allow the owners to fence the vacant property and graze horses from the nearby polo club.

  • Developers pay more for roads: Council will hold a final vote on requiring residential developers to pay half the cost of major roads along new subdivisions instead of one-third.

The city would pay the remaining half instead of two-thirds. Developers would still pay the full cost of smaller neighborhood roads, The Permian Press reported.

  • Occidental Parkway apartments: Council will hold a final vote on rezoning property at 1201 Occidental Parkway for a 207-unit, single-story apartment development. Council approved the first reading 6-1.
  • Walmart expansion: Council will hold a final vote on a proposed Walmart expansion at 4517 N. Midland Drive.

During the first reading, Councilman John Burkholder described traffic entering from Loop 250 as “absolutely horrendous.” The company’s engineer agreed to study adding a rear entrance before the final vote, The Permian Press reported.

  • Restaurant alcohol permits: Council will hold public hearings on requests to serve alcohol at Pitaya Mexican Restaurant, 800 S. Terrell St., and Fujiyama Sushi N More, 4410 N. Midkiff Road.

P&Z recommended approving both. Council will also hold a final vote on an alcohol permit for Reyna’s Mexican Restaurant at 3701 W. Wall St.

  • Bus service: Council will consider paying $860,000 to the Midland-Odessa Urban Transit District, which operates EZ-Rider, as the city’s share of funding for 2027.

That is a $40,000, or 4.9%, increase. Staff attributed the increase to higher fuel costs, more riders and driver pay raises needed to compete with Midland ISD.