Place 2 Council Member· 2023-2027
Don Tipps
Amarillo
About
Don Tipps is seeking reelection to the Amarillo City Council, emphasizing his commitment to public safety and fiscal discipline. He intends to leverage his background in insurance to engage in necessary and potentially difficult discussions for the betterment of the city.
Campaign promises (3)
- public-safetyPrioritizing public safety.
- taxesMaintaining fiscal discipline.
- transparencyUsing his experience in insurance to have tough conversations for the city.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 28
- Total speaking time
- 5:45:08
- Avg per meeting
- 12:20
- Segments
- 5421
Want every word Tipps has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Tipps said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (12)(Budget)
Proposed 2026/2027 Fiscal Year Tax Rate
Affects all property owners in Amarillo through ad valorem tax rates and utility fee adjustments.
Hospital District Budgeting
Determines the annual operational expenditures and financial planning for the hospital district.
FY 2026-27 TIRZ #3 Annual Budget and Financial Oversight
Determines the allocation and management of tax increment funds for infrastructure projects within the East Gateway zone.
Animal Services Cost Recovery
Details municipal cost recovery and potential fee adjustments for animal services.
property tax increase
Your wallet is going to feel a little lighter soon thanks to higher property taxes.
Property Tax Relief
Adopting the no-new-revenue rate would reduce projected general fund revenue by about $700,000.
affordable housing funding
It's a small but significant investment that could help one family achieve the dream of homeownership.
Landfill Management and Fire Safety
The city is investing in new surveillance technology and fire suppression infrastructure.
Contract Renewals
Could include administrative costs for dedicated oversight staff funded through towing fees.
budget debate
Your property taxes and local spending are on the line, depending on what the council decides to fund.
Arden Road Bridge and Loop 335 Signal Projects
Funding details for these projects were not specified in the agenda, but they represent investments in local infrastructure.
Street Maintenance and Reconstruction Bond Program
Funded through a combination of annual street maintenance bond allocations and a multi-million dollar operating budget.
Moved or seconded (2)
Motions Tipps personally put forward or seconded. Attribution comes from the minutes; where the minutes name somebody we cannot match to the roster we leave it out rather than guess, so this is a floor, not a total.
- secondedpassed2026-03-25
Jason Fenton made a motion to pass the adoption of the plan; Don Tipps seconded.
- secondedpassed2026-03-25
Phyllis Golden made a motion to approve the minutes; Don Tipps seconded.
Decisions during term (25)
Recorded while Tipps was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Water Utilities Capital Project Budget Transfer for VFD Replacement
Water Utilities Capital Project Budget Transfer for Lift Station 19
Adoption of FY 2026/2027 Budget (Ordinance No. 8270)
Ratification of Tax Rate and Budget
Approval of South Gateway TIRZ No. 3 Operating Budget (Resolution No. 09-22-26-2)
Approval of Amarillo-Potter Events Venue District Operating Budget (Resolution No. 09-22-26-3)
Adoption of Ordinance No. 8270 (FY 2026/2027 Budget)
Adoption of Resolution No. 09-22-26-2 (South Gateway TIRZ #3 Budget)
Adoption of Resolution No. 09-22-26-3 (Amarillo-Potter Events Venue District Budget)
Approval of Police Department Capital Project Budget Transfer
Approval of Drainage Utility Capital Project Budget Transfer
Approval of PID Budgets and Service Plans (Ordinances No. 8259 through 8268)
Approval of Amarillo Economic Development Corporation Budget
Approval of Amarillo Hospital District Budget
Approval of TIRS No. 1 Budget
Approval of TIRS No. 2 Budget
Police Department Capital Project Budget Transfer
Airport Capital Project Budget Transfer
Adoption of Resolution No. 08-11-26-1 (CVB Hotel Occupancy Tax Budget)
Approval of Water Utilities Capital Project Budget Transfer (Item 7.8)
Voting record (9)(Budget)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.