Turns out Lubbock’s big spender habit has run into a little snag: sales tax revenue is down about 4.5%, leaving the city with a $5 million hole in its general fund. That’s the fund that covers small, unimportant things like police, fire, parks, and street maintenance.
City Manager Jarrett Atkinson insists this isn’t “damage control,” it’s “being proactive.” Translation: nobody panic, but we can’t afford to fix a fountain or hire staff unless you happen to be a cop, firefighter, or animal control officer. Everyone else? Congrats, you’re frozen—like the fountain we can’t repair.
The hiring freeze and delayed projects are supposed to save millions, but Atkinson swears it’s all under control. No layoffs, no slashing of “essential services,” just a whole lot of crossed fingers and monitoring “monthly sales tax reports” like they’re lottery numbers.
If Lubbock’s “proactive” strategy is just waiting to see if people shop more, maybe the real budget plan is hoping for a new Hobby Lobby.
