What to watch: The Midland City Council will meet on May 27 at 10 a.m.

Why it matters: The council will vote to formally adopt the firefighter pension reform plan, lease an airport hangar to a company relocating to Midland, and consider imposing restrictions on a second bar’s request for an alcohol permit renewal.

Key points:

  • Firefighter pension plan: Council will consider adopting the Funding Soundness Restoration Plan for the Midland Firemen’s Relief and Retirement Fund. As of December 31, 2023, the fund carries an unfunded liability of $120.9 million. The city will contribute $54 million to the fund, with further benefit changes approved by fund members. The fund will include an actuarially determined contribution rate going forward.

    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.

  • Starfighters International: Council will vote on a one-year lease with Starfighters International for a vacant hangar at Midland International Airport. This lease supports the company’s expansion from Cape Canaveral and aligns with an incentive agreement with the Midland Development Corporation (MDC). The city will receive a $222,420 annual lease payment for the hangar while paying $95,000 in initial repairs. The city is not responsible for ongoing maintenance or utilities. The contract includes an option for four one-year renewals.

  • Flour Child: Council will also consider amending the MDC’s agreement with Flour Child Baked Goods LLC. The change allows the company to expand or relocate anywhere within Midland city limits. The original agreement includes a $50,000 interest-free forgivable loan by the MDC. The agreement requires Flour Child to create 11 full-time jobs with payroll reaching $520,000 by the end of 2030 and invest a minimum of $222,998 in the company. The MDC will disburse funds once the company invests its first $50,000.

  • Kent Distributors: A second reading will be held on Kent Distributors’ request to rezone 5.57 acres for an auto service garage near Big Spring Street and Solomon Lane. Fifteen nearby property owners objected over concerns about traffic and pedestrian safety, triggering a supermajority vote requirement. Councilman Jack Ladd voted against the item in its first reading. City staff notes that the intersection will likely require a future traffic signal.

  • Double Bar Saloon: Council will vote on renewing Double Bar Saloon’s Specific Use Designation (SUD) for alcohol sales, adding conditions that the business is required to have two peace officers on-site Friday and Saturday nights due to a high volume of police calls at the bar. Council will review the SUD in seven months to assess compliance. These conditions mirror those placed on Hot Shots bar, which received 186 calls for service since 2020. By comparison, Double Bar has had 340 calls.

  • Wildcatter Trail: Council will authorize advertising a request for qualifications for engineering and architectural design services for the Wildcatter Trail, a planned 19-mile multimodal path connecting Midland to Odessa. The city and UTPB secured $10 million in grant funding in 2023 to support the project’s early phases.

  • Northeast sewer: Council will review over $4 million in change orders with Belt Construction for the northeast sewer line project.

  • Public comments: City staff will present updates in response to public concerns raised on May 13, including political signs removed from private property, an assumed water line break, and rising city debt and infrastructure costs.