Amarillo Mayor Cole Stanley is pressing city staff for answers after what he described as one of the most confusing budget presentations in the city’s history, saying the council still hasn’t received key financial data to justify a reported $15 million shortfall.

Stanley said last week’s budget workshop lacked clarity and left major questions unanswered, including the fund balances for departmental accounts and the actual revenue and spending totals for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. The information, he said, is essential before council members decide on funding priorities.

“How do you go from the best budget Amarillo has seen in decades last year — with record pay increases for police and fire — to a $15 million shortfall in one year without going over budget?” Stanley said. “Until I ge

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