News

As it begins budget- and tax-rate planning for fiscal year 2020-21, the City of Canadian is grappling with sharp declines in property values, sales tax revenues, and hotel occupancy tax revenues—all of which will impact an already bare-bones budget.

Less than a year ago, the city of Canadian paid contractor Howard Drilling $41,964 to replace a damaged water-well pump motor at the municipal golf course. On May 1 of this year, the new pump failed.

Councilwoman Wendie Cook proposed drafting a “clear and concise” policy that could guide the city’s decision-making process for Hotel Occupancy Tax fund requests. City Manager Joe Jarosek acknowledged that the city has no policy now, other than information regarding the disposition of HOT revenues that is included in ordinances.

Hemphill County Hospital District reported its second positive COVID-19 test late last week, bringing the total of positive cases to two countywide. Hospital officials reported last week that the patient was in isolation at home.

Early voting for the July 14 primary runoff elections will begin on Monday, June 29. On March 20, Gov. Greg Abbott postponed the primary runoff election—originally slated for May 26—until July 14 to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. In May, he also ordered a one-week extension of early voting in the primary runoff, announcing that it would begin on Monday, June 29, rather than July 6.

Most of the Panhandle is now experiencing moderate to severe drought, while extreme drought conditions have begun to appear in the north and northwest Panhandle.

The familiar sight of TxDOT’s safety orange cones and piles of gravel strategically located near the intersection of Cheyenne and Main Monday morning signaled the start of a two-day sealcoating project on Main Street, from Sixth to Cheyenne, and from Cheyenne to Kingman Street. The project briefly reduced access to some side streets along the route, but the convoy of TxDOT trucks efficiently finished the project and moved on. Facing falling appraisal values and a troubled local economy, city and county officials are evaluating whether or not to budget for their annual sealcoating projects, and if so, what else they will cut to pay for it. Depending on what they choose, it may be a while before other city and county roads get the same treatment.