A public hearing for the City of Odessa’s 2021-22 operating budget will be held on Tuesday. Council is being asked to approve a $239,327,076 budget, which will include giving all city staff a 4 percent cost-of-living pay increase for 2021-22.
City Manager Michael Marrero noted that due to COVID-19 and financial unpredictably the pandemic posed, no raises were given in 2020. Normally, employees receive an annual 3 percent raise.
Council has also indicated it will support several proposed budgets, including $1,182,078 for general operations of the Emergency Communication District of Ector County.
The Emergency Communication District of Ector County provides 911 telephone and dispatch services cities of Odessa and Goldsmith and Ector County, which receive these services. Odessa, Goldsmith and the county must all approve the proposed budget.
A proposed budget submitted by the Odessa Development Corporation budget for 2021-22, is also expected to receive council support. The ODC’s projected total revenues are $7,904,068; projected expenditures $1,547,729.
Council is expected to support a request to authorize the nomination of Odessa Regional Medical Center as a Texas State Enterprise Zone – a designation that will allow the hospital to apply for state funds for their capital expenditure project.
The designation will help ORMC acquire state funds that will help the hospital proceed with a $10 million capital improvement project to expand its facilities and services.
Proposed improvements over the next five years include spending $7.5 million for building expansion renovation projects dedicated to women and maternity care, a letter sent to the city by William Stokes, Steward Health Care’s senior vice president of tax, recently detailed.
Council will also consider an invitation to participate in the formation of a joint task force committee to address redistricting issues following the 2020 U.S. Census, according to the council’s work session agenda.
The joint committee will include representatives from the city, Ector County Independent School District, Ector County Hospital District, Odessa Junior College District and Ector County. City Manager Michael Marrero would serve as the city’s representative, Attorney Natasha Brooks said during council’s work session last week.
Council is likely to approve a recommendation to award a $2,351,000 bid to Cooper Construction for the rehabilitation of the city-owned building at 307 N. Lee Street. The building will house Community Development, Code Enforcement and the Fire Marshal’s Office.
The rehab, which includes a roof replacement and the purchase of office furnishings, will be paid from 2019 Certificates of Obligation funds.
