Levelland Council Advances $11M Bond Plan, Eyes Pay Raises

In a meeting Monday evening, the Levelland City Council unanimously approved a resolution signaling its intent to issue up to $11 million in certificates of obligation to fund critical infrastructure projects, including $7 million for the city’s long-delayed wastewater treatment plant improvements.

The action does not finalize any borrowing but sets the stage for a potential bond issuance later this summer. Council members emphasized the need for transparency, creativity, and community engagement as they work to finalize the financing plan by the August 25 vote.

City Manager James Fisher laid out a preliminary funding breakdown: $7 million will go toward the wastewater treatment plant, while $4 million is earmarked for a new animal services facility.

Fisher warned the council of likely increases to both the wastewater improvement fee and the city’s debt service tax rate but said staff are exploring all available options to minimize the impact on residents.

“We’re going to try to be not just creative, but genius about how we make this work,” Mayor Breann Buxkemper said.

Council members acknowledged the financial strain of taking on additional debt but agreed that investment in critical infrastructure is overdue.

“We’ve got to push forward and make Levelland the preferred community of choice in the South Plains,” Buxkemper said.

Alongside infrastructure planning, council members reaffirmed their commitment to supporting city employees, with ongoing efforts to include a 3% pay raise in the upcoming fiscal year budget. City Manager James Fisher noted that while rising costs and capital projects present budgetary challenges, city leadership remains united in prioritizing staff compensation.

“The real work is done on the street level,” Fisher said, referencing the value of patrol officers, firefighters, public works crews, and other frontline employees.

At the start of the meeting, council recognized police and fire personnel, debuted new equipment including thermal imaging fire masks, and approved the upcoming budget calendar.

No public comments were made during the meeting. The city will continue discussions over the coming months before making a final decision on the certificate issuance in August.