Midland Mayor Lori Blong has announced that the city council and municipal staff have initiated the review of next year's budget. She emphasized, "it's important that we take care of immediate needs as well as planning for future needs." In addition, Blong assured that the process would be conducted in a "prudent and conservative" manner with respect to citizens' tax dollars.
"It's important that we take care of immediate needs as well as planning for future needs, all while being prudent and conservative with your tax dollars," said Blong, according to Facebook.
According to her Facebook post dated May 14, Blong outlined a five-fold vision for the city. The city administration hopes to expand and retain public safety resources, construct superior parks in the Permian Basin, uphold financial transparency, provide sound governance and fiscal management, and strategize and monitor city growth.
Blong also shared a link to the 2024 budget presentation at https://www.loriblong.com/budget-update-april-23-2024.
The review of the budget by the city council coincides with its recent expansion. Eric Davidson joined the council following his victory in the special election held on May 4. He succeeded Dan Corrales who passed away earlier.
Mayor Blong is a native Midlander who owns a small business and has previously served on the Midland City Council.
She made history in November 2022 when she emerged victorious over former mayor Jimmy Morales in a three-way race, becoming Midland's first female mayor.