Lubbock County will only borrow money for a new expo center as part of a public/private partnership if certain conditions are met, according to details in a resolution approved Wednesday by the county’s Local Government Corporation (LGC).
The LGC acts as an oversight committee for the proposed Lubbock County Expo Center. The resolution still needs final approval by county commissioners on March 23.
The county’s non-profit private partner, Lubbock County Expo Center Inc. (LCEC), must have private donations or a loan agreement in hand (to cover any temporary shortfall in donations) before the county borrows money through a 30-year bond. The county’s bond debt and any LCEC bank loan must be separate.
The total project at North Loop and North University Avenue is estimated to cost $67 million, with the county chipping in roughly $32 million.
The resolution also:
Reaffirms the county’s intention to lease the expo center to the LCEC – with LCEC then overseeing daily operations.
Allows leftover hotel tax and car rental tax to cover any operating deficit at the expo center.
Calls for the county keep $5 million set aside in case of unexpected problems.
LCEC will pay the upfront cost ($375,000) for architectural work by Parkhill. Then, LCEC will pay the entire Parkhill contract unless the county cannot or does not issue bonds, in which case the county pledges hotel/car rental tax collections to make sure Parkhill gets paid.
It has impacted us, and not in a positive way. So, we really are here to advocate for this expo.
rachel elbert, ceo lubbock boys and girls club
Rachel Elbert, CEO of the Lubbock Boys and Girls Club, addressed the LGC board in support of a resolution for the Expo Center Credit: Staff photo.
Before the vote, Rachel Elbert, CEO of the Lubbock Boys and Girls Club, pleaded with the LGC to move forward with the resolution. The lack of an expo center is a big deal for the club, which provides after-school programs, mentorship and activities for kids.
“It has impacted us, and not in a positive way. So, we really are here to advocate for this expo,” Elbert said.
The Boys and Girls Club relied on the Lubbock Municipal Coliseum until it was torn down in 2019. It had been the home of the ABC Pro Rodeo (which is now held in Levelland at the Mallet Event Center).
“This expo – it’s been a long time coming, especially for the Boys and Girls Club. We only have three big fundraisers that we’re able to put on. One of them is the ABC Pro Rodeo and the decline of the funding that has come since the Coliseum is not here anymore has been significant,” Elbert said.
Eddie McBride, former president of the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, spoke in favor of the Expo Center resolution. Credit: Staff photo.
Eddie McBride, former president of the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, also spoke to the LGC in favor of the resolution.
“Right now, what you all have the opportunity to do today is extremely important – both for this project, of course, as well as for the community,” McBride said.
The Chamber was involved in both elections in 2018 – one to tear down the Coliseum and one to charge hotel and car rental taxes for an expo center, McBride said. Both passed.
“The community really appreciates what you have done. I appreciate what you do. So, keep doing a good job. That’s one of the reasons I’m here today,” McBride told the LGC.
For years, I hadn’t been given the information that I had requested, and now they are forthcoming and given me that information.
kathy williams, county auditor
During the meeting, officials indicated it will take a few months to negotiate a lease agreement between the county and LCEC.
LCEC’s consultant told officials during the meeting that costs seem to be on track for a $67 million budget with everything so far coming within 1 percent of that total.
When asked about her concerns, County Auditor Kathy Williams said she still needs to see yearly audits of LCEC, but communication and access to financial information were greatly improved in the last few months. Some of those audits are still behind and not yet ready.
“For years, I hadn’t been given the information that I had requested, and now they are forthcoming and given me that information,” Williams said.
She described the line of communication between her office and LCEC as, “More open than it has ever been.”
Only one LGC member voted “no” on the resolution – Carl Isett.
Gary Boren had previously voted against going forward with the project. But he said Wednesday based on improvements Williams noticed, he would vote “yes.”
Proposed resolution for the Expo Center
Resolution pertaining to the advancement of the Lubbock County Expo Center venue project.
WHEREAS, Lubbock County entered into a Development Agreement (“the Agreement”) with Lubbock County Expo Center, Inc. (“LCEC”) on November 14, 2019, to plan, acquire, establish, develop, and construct the Lubbock County Expo Center Venue Project as authorized by Chapter 334 of the Texas Local Government Code; and
WHEREAS, under the Agreement, LCEC assumed responsibility for the development and construction of the Venue Project; and the funds needed to develop and construct the Venue Project either have been or will be acquired by private funding raised by LCEC, proceeds from the collection of Venue Project Taxes, and/or by and through the issuance of bond financing by Lubbock County; and
WHEREAS, the Commissioners Court approved a Resolution on January 26, 2026, supporting LCEC’s pursuit of an alternative design of the Venue Project, the letter agreement between LCEC and Parkhill to create the design, and the expenditure of $375,000.00 by LCEC as payment for the new design; and the Court agreed to engage Bond Counsel to commence work on the Venue Project based on the new alternative design and preliminary, proposed budget; and
WHEREAS, under the Agreement, the final approval of the Bonds by the County Commissioners Court is subject to the Commissioners Court being satisfied that LCEC has raised, or will be able to raise, the additional funds needed to develop and construct the Venue Project. LCEC will be responsible for the development and construction costs of the Venue Project in excess of the County Contribution.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF LUBBOCK COUNTY, TEXAS:
That the Court approves of the preliminary development budget of the Venue Project based on the Parkhill schematic design and prepared by Lee Lewis Construction, Inc., in addition to the construction manager-at-risk agreement between Lubbock County and Lee Lewis Construction, Inc. with Parkhill named as the Architect; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Court does hereby recognize and support the fully executed agreement between LCEC and Parkhill to complete the design and construction phase services, and that LCEC will make any and all payments to Parkhill under their agreements; and
However, if a new Bond Order is not obtained and approved of by the Court authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds to further fund the County’s costs of the Venue Project, then the Court agrees that proceeds from the collection of Venue Project Taxes will make any and all payments to Parkhill; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Court will not issue a new Bond Order until LCEC has secured both private donations and a finalized, closed loan with an accredited financial institution which operates as an open line of credit in a combined total amount sufficient to fund LCEC’s costs of the Venue Project in excess of the County Contribution. Also, as a consideration to effectuate financing, it is the intention of the Commissioners Court to lease the Lubbock County Expo Center Venue Project to LCEC; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Lubbock County Commissioners Court agrees to amend Section 3.8 of the Agreement according to Section 334.042(d) of the Texas Local Government Code, which defines the costs that the collected Venue Project Taxes may be used to pay; additionally, the remaining total venue tax revenues, after payment of debt service, are targeted not to fall below $5,000,000.00 during the course of the Venue Project.
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