During a recent Amarillo City Council workshop, discussions highlighted the significant growth of the My Amarillo operation, which is set to expand its workforce to better serve the community. The department is requesting an increase of 14 new employees, raising its total staff from 18 to approximately 32. This expansion is part of a broader strategy to enhance services across multiple departments, including utilities, solid waste, public works, and animal management.

The proposed budget reflects this growth, aiming to improve the efficiency of the call center by offloading non-emergency calls from the 911 system. City officials noted that the current call volume has stretched existing staff thin, necessitating the addition of new team members to ensure quality service delivery.

This move is seen as a proactive step to address the increasing demands on city services, particularly as the My Amarillo operation plans to take on more responsibilities in the coming year. The council emphasized the importance of adequately staffing the department to maintain effective communication and support for residents.

In addition to the staffing request, the workshop covered various operational updates, but the focus remained on the My Amarillo expansion and its implications for community service. As the city continues to grow, these changes aim to enhance the overall efficiency and responsiveness of local government services, ultimately benefiting Amarillo residents.