Boyd Goodloe, a longtime resident of Lubbock, is running for the District 4 City Council seat in the upcoming special election. As a homeowner and taxpayer, Goodloe’s number-one priority is to ensure the City Council uses financial discipline to adopt a budget that does not involve a tax rate increase.

Low Taxes and Fiscal Discipline

Goodloe explained that taxes are going up due to increasing valuations, resulting in more revenue for the city. However, he believes the city should not raise taxes and instead focus on maintaining a balanced budget. He cited the example of last year’s property tax rate reduction, which did not bring the rate down to the no-new-revenue rate.

Goodloe also mentioned the importance of road repair, citing the example of the crumbling lanes on 50th and Indiana to the South Loop on Indiana. He emphasized the need for the city to get a handle on maintenance and infrastructure to avoid major expenses in the future.

Data Centers and Public Input

Goodloe expressed concerns about the proposed data centers in Lubbock, stating that there has been no forum for citizens to share their concerns. He believes the City Council owes it to the people to study the issue, gather facts, and hold public meetings to discuss the matter. Goodloe thinks the city should not offer permits to data center projects for the rest of 2026 and 2027 and that any tax abatement should be limited.

Goodloe also discussed public safety, praising the city’s fire and police departments. He believes the city should help people understand the importance of conserving water, citing the example of businesses allowing water from sprinklers to run off into the street.

Goodloe’s background includes 18 years in youth ministry, working as a professional minister in church work. He has also worked in sales, HR, and capital expenditures for an energy company. Currently, he is the local director of a rental equipment business in Wolfforth.

Original reporting: Lubbock Lights — read the source article.