City of Panhandle hold regular session on July 9

The Panhandle City Council met in regular session on Thursday, July 9, at Panhandle City Hall, with the following items on the agenda for consideration and action and the following members present: Mayor Pro Tem Dusty Sloan and Council Members Brad Fields, Dustin Copenhaver and Tim Roberts. Absent were Mayor Doyle Robinson and Council Member Mike Brandvik.

Staff Members present were City Manager Javier Perez, City Secretary Veronica Willburn, Utility Clerk Shannon Rojo and Chief of Police Sace Hardman.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Sloan.

The invocation was led by Council Member Copenhaver followed by the pledges led by Chief Hardman.

There were no citizen comments.

During citizen’s comments, Council Member Roberts commented on the Fire Department being over budget by 140 percent.

City Manager Javier Perez commented on the fire department budget being over due to the new fence and garage doors and openers for the new building.

Council Member Dustin Copenhaver commented on City Manager Perez’s position with public works and if it was filled or how they are managing public works.

City Manager Perez commented that the position has not been filled, but they are managing okay. They are all stepping up and getting the work done. Some days they could use another hand. Shawn Watson does a good job in keeping everyone busy and getting the work done. They had a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) inspection at the landfill today and had no violations. They will be working on streets next week.

He told council that he was asked by Panhandle Regional Planning Commission (PRPC) to serve on the Regional Emergency Management Board.

Consent Items were reviewed that included accounts payable, police, EMS, public works, fire, work orders/pumpage, recycling center, municipal court, building permits, animal control, city financials. Action was required.

A motion was made by Council Member Roberts and seconded by Council Member Copenhaver to approve the consent agenda items. With all members voting aye, the motion passed.

Minutes of the last meeting were submitted for review, and action was required.

A motion was made by Council Member Copenhaver and seconded by Council Member Fields to approve the minutes of the June 25, 2026 council meeting. With all members voting aye, the motion passed.

Executive session was called per Personnel (Texas Govt. Code Sec 551.074, in regard to the city secretary to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation and duties of the city secretary.

Executive Session was called by Mayor Pro Tem Sloan and the open meeting was closed at 7:07 p.m.

Executive Session was closed by Mayor Pro Tem Sloan at 7:37 p.m. and returned to open meeting.

After the council reconvened in open session, they discussed the city secretary position. A motion was made to approve the rate discussed for the new city secretary by Council Member Fields and seconded by Council Member Roberts. With all members voting aye, the motion passed.

Council Member Fields and council members thanked City Secretary Veronica Willburn for training the new city secretary, Shannon Rojo, and for the many years of service that Ms. Willburn gave to the city of Panhandle.

Ms. Willburn thanked council and expressed her gratitude to the city and stated that she has enjoyed working with the mayor and council and will miss it upon retirement.
The next meeting of the city council is today, Thursday July 23, 2026.

The next quarterly Texas Municipal League meeting will be held on July 16. Perryton is sponsoring the meeting at the Civic Center.

With no further business to discuss, a motion was made by Council Member Copenhaver and seconded by Council Member Roberts to adjourn the meeting. With all members voting aye, the meeting adjourned.

Disclaimer: The above details of the city council may be corrected after review at the next meeting.