Don Tipps
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
- 26
- Total speaking time
- 5:09:26
- Avg per meeting
- 11:54
- Segments
- 4996
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 (20)
Proposed 2026/2027 Fiscal Year Tax Rate
Maintains the tax rate at $0.43070 per $100 valuation, generating $2,063,963 in additional revenue driven largely by $1,295,675 in new property additions.
City Manager Evaluation and Personnel Review
Direct financial impacts depend on executive contract terms discussed in confidence.
Hotel Market Study
The study provides data to guide future investment decisions in the district.
Water Infrastructure and Drought Management
Potential future utility rate adjustments and capital bonding to fund hundreds of millions in necessary water and sewer projects.
Departmental Operations and Updates
The vendor selection for BVB 416-26 directly impacts how PID assessment funds are spent.
Hospital District Budgeting
This budget will determine the allocation of district funds for the upcoming fiscal year.
Addressing Substandard Structures and Public Nuisances
Costs for city-ordered demolitions or cleanups may be assessed to property owners or placed as liens on properties.
FY 2026-27 TIRZ #3 Annual Budget and Financial Oversight
Involves management and allocation of tax increment revenue for district projects and administrative operations.
Personnel Actions Review
The full request for 27 new positions is estimated at $2.4 million, but the city is currently managing overtime through existing budget savings.
Airport Infrastructure Modernization
These projects represent significant capital investments in airport infrastructure.
Clearview AI Privacy Concerns
Ongoing operational costs for camera subscriptions and data management are absorbed within the police department budget.
Amarillo City Transit Coordinated Plan
Will shape federal and state funding allocations for regional transportation infrastructure over the next two decades.
Utility Billing Accuracy
Potential financial impacts tied to water production demand and customer billing reviews.
Sex Offender Residency Ordinance Review
No immediate fiscal impact was reported.
Alley Vacation
Your commute might take longer, costing you time and maybe a bit of gas.
Board Meeting Streaming
Potential costs associated with setting up and maintaining streaming services for board meetings.
property tax increase
Your wallet is going to feel a little lighter soon thanks to higher property taxes.
Regional Transportation Priorities and 10-Year Plan
Determines the allocation of millions in state and federal transportation funding for regional projects.
Public Health District Funding
The funding model determines the budget available for all public health programs in the area.
Firefighters' Pension Fund Investments
Total fund market value stands at $275,459,326.84 with ongoing employer and employee contributions.
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 (482)
Recorded while Tipps was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Approval of September 9, 2026 Meeting Minutes
Approval of September 21, 2026 Meeting Minutes
Plat 2026-217-P Tradewind Square Unit No. 8B
Plat 2026-218-P Heritage Hills Unit No. 22A
Plat 2026-231-P Town Square Unit No. 21
Rezoning 2026-223-Z (Vineyards Amarillo LLC)
Rezoning 2026-228-Z (Fairlane Acres Unit No. 2)
Adjourn
Approval of Minutes
Approval of Minutes
Resolution-Calling a Public Hearing for December 17, 2026
Resolution - Public Hearing: 1301 N Harrison Street
Resolution - Public Hearing: 1600 S Lincoln Street
Resolution - Public Hearing: 1800 N Arthur Street
Resolution - Public Hearing: 400 S Birmingham Street
Resolution - Public Hearing: 402 S Birmingham Street
Resolution - Public Hearing: 1508 S Buchanan Street
Resolution - Public Hearing: 1303 La Mesa Avenue
Resolution - Public Hearing: 314 S Marrs Street
Resolution - Public Hearing: 1009 N Roosevelt Street
Voting record (101)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.