What to watch: The Midland City Council will meet July 22 at 10 a.m.

Why it matters: The council will consider long-term water access with the Colorado River Municipal Water District (CRMWD), plats for the new Legacy and Midland High Schools, and a $16.2 million budget for the Midland Development Corporation (MDC).

MDC budget: Council will receive the MDC’s approved $16.2 million budget for FY 2025–26. Revenues, largely from sales tax and leases, rose 8%. Spending increases include a 5% bump in administration for a new staff position. There is also a 9% increase in economic development spending tied to existing commitments.

High school plats: Preliminary plats for both new high schools are up for review. The future Legacy High School will sit on 116.7 acres at Tradewinds Boulevard and Thomason Drive. The future Midland High School will sit on 113.8 acres at N. Fairgrounds Road and E. Wadley Avenue.

Live Oak permits: The Venue at Live Oak is requesting a new Specific Use Designation (SUD) to expand its alcohol service area and extend its Temporary Land Use permit to continue hosting outdoor concerts Thursdays through Saturdays from 5 p.m. to midnight. The city received two objection letters for the SUD, citing noise and drunk driving concerns. No objections were submitted for the outdoor concert request.

RockHounds HVAC: Council will revisit a deferred resolution to award a $289,905 contract to First Service Air Conditioning, Inc. to replace the HVAC system in the RockHounds clubhouse. This is the second time the city solicited over 1,000 vendors and received only one bid. Staff recommends proceeding with the sole bid.

CRMWD contract: Council will vote on a 30-year raw water purchase agreement with CRMWD. If approved, the new  contract will take effect October 1, 2030, immediately after the city’s existing 1966 agreement expires. The contract guarantees Midland access to 10 million gallons of untreated water per day, separate from its current supply under the Ivie Reservoir System.

Pricing will be tied to the highest per-thousand-gallon rate paid by the City of Odessa, plus a customer risk premium. The 30-year agreement includes a potential 10-year extension and outlines responsibilities for infrastructure at delivery points, compliance with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality rules, and participation in water conservation and drought contingency planning.