Odessa, Texas/February 24, 2022-On Tuesday, February 21st a historic work session between the Odessa Development Corporation, Ector County Commissioners Court and the Odessa City Council was held at the Saulsbury Conference Center inside the Science Technology Building at Odessa College. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and gather information on several interlocal agreements that affect the City of Odessa and Ector County. The three governmental agencies discussed: Economic development, acquisition of property taxes and sales tax on commercial and residential development.
(Dustin Fawcett, Ector County Judge-Ector County Commissioners Court/Odessa, Texas)
During the last City Council Administration under Mayor David Turner, some parts of the industrial areas near I-20 in South Ector County, Pct. 4 were annexed into the city. It is reasoned, if a company in Ector County wants city services, the business entity can request to be annexed.
(Javier Joven, Mayor-City of Odessa, Texas)
Odessa Fire Rescue provides emergency services to Ector County. During the meeting it was revealed that the City of Odessa has not been compensated in 2021 and 2022 for those emergency services rendered.
(Javier Joven, Mayor-City of Odessa, Texas)
One of the interlocal agreements discussed is services provided by Odessa Fire Rescue. People that plan to move to Ector County need to be educated in the services the county can and can’t provide, as in Odessa Fire Rescue emergency services. Ector County Judge Dustin Fawcett acknowledges that the City of Odessa needs to be compensated for those emergency services provided, especially in West Odessa in West Ector County.
(Dustin Fawcett, Ector County Judge-Ector County Commissioners Court/Odessa, Texas)
The work session between the ODC, Odessa City Council and the Ector County Commissioners was to acquire information in hopes of moving the City and County forward. The next work session meeting will be announced for early spring or sometime in mid-summer.
For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera.
