Midland County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Midland County, TX public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Sheriff's Office Budgeting
Some Sheriff's Office employees were left out of the 2% fiscal year increase and the 2% evaluation increase. The court will consider correcting that oversight.
GPS Tracking of County Vehicles
The court will consider putting GPS trackers on all county vehicles, with narcotics vehicles exempt. It could improve accountability and fleet efficiency, but may raise questions from county employees about monitoring.
Emergency Management and Environmental Cleanup
The court will decide whether to lift the 90-day burn ban covering Midland County. If lifted, outdoor burning becomes legal again — which matters to rural residents and anyone worried about wildfire risk.
Juvenile Justice Center Construction Contract
Two task work orders with Magrym Consulting for materials testing and inspection services at the new Juvenile Justice Center, plus a master service agreement for materials testing firms. These keep the construction project moving.
Master Transportation Plan Phase 2
Midland County is moving forward with Phase 2 of its Master Transportation Plan to address significant population and traffic growth over recent years.
Courthouse Operational Upgrades
The county approved building automation and HVAC control upgrades at both the Sheriff's Office and Courthouse to improve energy efficiency and replace aging control systems.
Emergency Equipment and Fleet Purchases
The county is purchasing numerous replacement vehicles across multiple departments while reviewing fleet repair costs after past spending exceeded caps.
Centennial Library Circulation Desk Replacement
The county approved $45,000 to replace the outdated circulation desk at Centennial Library with a new unit from Library Interiors of Texas.
Concrete Supply Contract
Midland just approved a $500,000 contract for ready-mix concrete to fix up local roads and drainage. The catch? Only two companies bothered to bid, so city officials are actively trying to drum up more competition to keep future costs in check.
Surveillance Camera Contract
Midland just canceled its contract with Flock Safety, ditching all 73 automated license plate readers due to privacy worries. This decision keeps over $225,000 in upcoming fees in the city's pocket.
Surveillance Camera Contract Termination
Midland just dumped its Flock surveillance camera contract over serious privacy worries, meaning 72 city-owned cameras are coming down in the next two months. City leaders decided the transparency issues and snooping risks just weren't worth keeping the tech around.
Building Demolition
Midland is tearing down three sketchy, run-down buildings to clean up the neighborhood and keep people safe. It's a routine move by local officials to deal with properties that have become a public nuisance.
Canine Officer Pavlov Retirement and Adoption
The Commissioners Court will consider medically retiring Canine Officer Pavlov and allowing Canine Corporal James Stotts to purchase him. This ensures the retiring dog finds a good home with his handler.
Jail Medical Staffing Costs and Invoices
The county delayed paying CorrHealth's extra staffing invoices until the auditor can thoroughly check the itemized bills.
Subdivision Plats and Infrastructure Improvements
Several subdivision plats—including Silver Spur Estates, Pathfinder Addition, and Comanche Crossing Section 2—are up for approval and filing. Additionally, the court will review safety improvements on SCR 1232 and drainage work with the City of Odessa.
County Road 1232 Drainage and Road Expansion
The county awarded a nearly $2.9 million contract to Reece Albert to improve safety on SCR 1232.
OIME Playa Tract Drainage Improvements
Public Works was given the green light to work with Odessa on acquiring 54 acres of land for future drainage projects.
Tyler Technologies Software Upgrade for Justice and Constable Offices
The county is investing $1.75 million in new software for justices of the peace and constables to modernize record-keeping and data migration.
IT Department Audit Implementation and Consulting Services
The county approved a three-year contract with OpenGov, Inc. to replace current asset management software with a system offering better GIS integration and online permitting. Officials highlighted improved efficiency for field crews and better financial tracking.
Precinct 3 Road Inventory
Dunaway Associates will evaluate and inventory roads in Precinct 3 to help plan future infrastructure maintenance and construction.
Zoning Change
That vacant Wendy's on Andrews Highway could soon be replaced with a brand-new drive-thru restaurant if the City Council gives the green light to a local developer's zoning change request. It's a routine upgrade that'll shake up a familiar corner of town.
Meeting Schedule
Midland City Council locked in their 2027 meeting dates, keeping their usual spot on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at City Hall. It's a handy schedule to keep track of if you want to stay in the loop on local neighborhood decisions.
Wayfinding Signs
Midland is installing 49 new custom wayfinding signs to help folks navigate downtown parking, museums, and local hotspots. The best part? It's fully funded by hotel-motel taxes and partner contributions, meaning your local property taxes are completely off the hook.
Airport Funding
Midland just snagged a $12.6 million federal grant to upgrade local airports, and the best part is that Washington is footing 90% of the bill. That means major infrastructure upgrades with barely a scratch on our local taxpayer wallets.
Retiree Health Insurance and GLP-1 Weight Loss Coverage Changes
The court voted to require 4 years of cumulative service for retiree health insurance eligibility and transitioned GLP-1 weight-loss drug coverage to a structured weight management program.
FY2026-2027 County Budget and Tax Rate
The Commissioners Court finalized and adopted the county budget and tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year, balancing various departmental funding requests, salary adjustments, and contingency allocations.
South Draw Flood Mitigation Land Acquisition
Public Works is collaborating with the City of Odessa to acquire the 54-acre OIME Playa tract for future regional drainage improvements to mitigate flooding.
County Leadership Vacancy
Midland County needed to fill leadership duties following the suspension of County Judge Terry Johnson. Commissioners appointed Jay Marquez to step in as Acting County Judge.
County Leadership Vacancy
Midland City Councilman Dan Corrales has passed away, leaving an open seat that the city now needs to fill. This vacancy will trigger a formal process to select a new representative for the district.
Sinclair Avenue and CR 1250 Road Extension ILA
The county approved a $3 million Interlocal Agreement with the City of Midland to help fund the extension of Sinclair Avenue to improve regional traffic flow.
Budgetary Adjustments
The county is balancing a tight budget while trying to fund essential services and employee raises.
Library Wi-Fi Hotspot Expansion
The county library system is expanding digital access by circulating 15 grant-purchased Wi-Fi hotspots to the public under a newly adopted policy.
Elected Official Salary Setting
The court initiated discussions on setting elected officials' salaries prior to employee compensation reviews, balancing cost-of-living realities against fiscal responsibility.
Building Permits
Midland is currently in the middle of a major construction boom, with new homes and renovations popping up all over the place. You can check the latest permit list to see exactly what your neighbors are building and how it might change your street.
Public Safety Emergency
A major shooting near Wall Street has shut down local roads and triggered a massive police presence. If you usually commute through that area, you'll need to find a different route for the next few days.
Public Safety Investigation
State investigators are asking anyone who was near West Wall Street during the recent shooting to hand over their dashcam or security footage. Your video could be the missing piece they need to solve the case and get justice for the community.
Public Safety and Emergency Response
Midland is reeling after a tragic mass shooting left two people dead and several others injured. City officials are currently investigating the motive while the community grapples with the aftermath of this violence.
Horseshoe Alcohol Service Management
The county is moving toward a single-source alcohol vendor at the Horseshoe events center to reduce liability and improve revenue tracking.
Road Construction Standards
Midland just dropped an interactive map that lets you peek at the city's future growth plans. It’s a quick way to see if your neighborhood is slated for new developments or zoning changes down the road.
Library Policy Updates
The library is updating its meeting room, study room, and notary policies to improve clarity and consistency. Some policies, like the notary policy, were tabled for further legal review regarding what documents can be notarized.
Waste Management
Midland County is hosting a free trash drop-off day on April 11, giving you a chance to clear out your garage or storage unit for free. It’s a great opportunity to get rid of bulky junk without the usual dump fees.
FY2025 Financial Audit Results
External auditors reviewed Midland County's finances for fiscal year 2025, delivering a clean audit report. The county brought in more revenue than anticipated and spent less than budgeted.
Midland Health Community Initiative
Midland County health officials just found St. Louis encephalitis in local mosquitoes, so you'll want to grab the bug spray and clear out any standing water in your yard. It’s a quick way to keep yourself and your neighbors from getting sick.
Local Government Conduct
Things got heated at the latest Midland County Commissioners Court meeting, with a public argument between officials and residents caught on camera. It’s a stark reminder that local government meetings are becoming increasingly volatile.
County Property Management
The county planned to consider selling a property on North Fort Worth Street, but skipped the item during this meeting.
Proposed Juneteenth County Holiday
Sheriff Criner proposed making Juneteenth a paid county holiday to honor its historical significance and align with other governments. Commissioners discussed the estimated $250,000 daily cost of shutting down county operations and ultimately tabled action to gather more employee feedback.
Child Protection Court Attorney Fee Budget Shortfall
Child Protection Court Judge Ellen Griffith requested an additional $200,000 due to underestimating attorney fees and increased litigation complexity. The court unanimously approved transferring the funds from contingency.
Legal Litigation
Four Trinity administrators are taking the City of Midland and the County to court, which could end up costing taxpayers a bundle or forcing a major shake-up in local policy. It’s a high-stakes legal battle that might change how our local government operates behind the scenes.
Election Administration
If you live in western Midland County, double-check your polling place before heading out because locations have shifted. Don't get caught off guard—look up your new spot now to make sure your vote actually counts.
County Road Signage and Safety Improvements
The court approved new blue county-sealed street signs for county-maintained roads to differentiate them from private roads, alongside stop signs, speed limit reductions, and parking restrictions on various county roads.