City Council Meeting - September 1, 2026

The City Council of Lubbock held a special meeting on September 1, 2026, primarily focused on approving meet and confer agreements with the Lubbock Professional Police Association and the Lubbock Professional Firefighters Association. The council ratified a one-year police agreement that includes a 5% raise for sworn personnel and the addition of 10 new officers, with a total fiscal impact of approximately $4.79 million. They also approved a six-year firefighters' agreement that transitions to a 42-hour average workweek, adds 22 personnel annually, and includes various benefits such as physical fitness programs and mental health leave, with a phased fiscal impact starting at $1.5 million in the first year. The meeting included detailed budget discussions, adjustments to revenue projections, and a proposal to set the property tax rate to fund these agreements, resulting in a tax rate increase to support public safety funding. The council debated minor budget amendments, including a proposed but rejected reduction in funding for Market Lubbock, an economic development organization. Ultimately, the council unanimously approved the budget and tax rate to support the new agreements and public safety priorities.