July 2026 - Odessa Insider by CityofOdessa1

Paying Tribute to OFR Lieutenant

Isaí Huerta

HEALTH AND BENEFITS

Employee Resource Center

July Health Eating Challenge

Inspired to Inspire Jathan Escontrias

Firecracker Fandango

Your Monthly Dose of City Employee Positivity and Helpful Information

PAYING TRIBUTE TO Lieutenant Isaí Huerta

END OF WATCH

JUNE 14 2026

If you ever met Isaí Huerta, chances are you left with a story. Lt. Isaí Huerta, beloved husband, father, son, brother, firefighter, paramedic, and friend, died in the line of duty on June 14, 2026. Born and raised in Odessa, Texas, Isaí graduated from Odessa High School in 2015 and later earned an Associate of Applied Science degree from Odessa College in 2023

HIS JOURNEY

HejoinedOdessaFireRescueon April10,2017,beginningacareer definedbyservice,courage,andan unwaveringloveforhisfirefamily IsaíproudlyservedatStations3,4, 6,and7,holdingaspecialplacein hisheartforStations4and7.

Whetherfightingfires,running calls,drivingtheengine,cooking forthecrew,mentoringyounger firefighters,orpullingaprankon someonewhoprobablydeserved it,Isaímadeeveryshiftmemorable odessa-tx.gov/rememberinghuerta

Lt. Isaí Huerta Remembering

Away from work, Isaí Huerta loved golfing, traveling, tattoos, birds, plants, hunting, home projects, and spending time with those he loved most. He was known for his quick wit, endless stories, ridiculous sense of humor, and ability to make any situation lighter If you knew Isaí, chances are you have a story that still makes you laugh.

gov/rememberinghuerta

Saluting a Hero

Many of those stories involved a prank, a questionable decision, or an unfortunate lack of clothing. The family apologizes for none of them, because Isaí certainly wouldn't.

Above all else, Isaí loved his family. He is survived by his wife, Mariah Huerta; his daughter, Feliciapottamus; his parents, Ramiro and Elvira Huerta; his siblings, Hilda Granados, Octavio Huerta, Jacob Granados, and Michael Bara; his loyal companion Randy-Poo; and countless friends, coworkers, and members of his fire family.

Isaí would want to be remembered not with sadness, but with stories, especially the funny ones. When you think of him, tell the story, share the laugh, and remember the joy he brought to everyone fortunate enough to know him

PAYING TRIBUTE TO

Lieutenant Isaí Huerta

SPECIAL TRIBUTE TRIBUTE

HONORING LT ISAÍ HUERTA

An honor escort was held for fallen firefighter Lt. Isaí Huerta as he was brought home from Lubbock to Odessa. The procession accompanied him to Sunset Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home, where family, friends, fellow firefighters, and community members gathered to pay their respects.

bailey martin Remembering

This weekend marks one year since the devastating July 4, 2025, Texas Hill Country floods. As we remember all those affected, Odessa also honors one of its own, Officer Bailey James Martin. This week, a memorial was placed inside the Odessa Police Department, serving as a lasting tribute to the 23year-old whose life and service left an unforgettable impact.

Saluting a Hero

Bailey never sought the spotlight. He quietly served with integrity, compassion, and humility, earning the respect of everyone who knew him. He was a devoted son, brother, grandson, fiancé, and friend. The flood that claimed Bailey's life also took his father, Bobby Martin, his stepmother, Amanda Martin, and his fiancée, Jayda Floyd, forever changing the lives of those left behind.

When Bailey returned home, thousands lined the streets to honor him, a powerful reminder of how deeply he was loved. One year later, his memory continues to live on. Though his watch has ended, his legacy of service, kindness, and quiet strength will forever be part of Odessa

Odessa Police Department

INSPIRED TO INSPIRE

Paying It Forward

Reflecting on the past 15 years of his career, Jathan Escontrias credits much of his success to the people who saw potential in him before he saw it in himself.

“I don’t think I was ever fully ready for each step,” Escontrias said. “I kept being asked to take on new opportunities, and I’m grateful I said yes each time Someone else believed in me and told me I’d be good at it.”

In April, Escontrias was promoted to Solid Waste Division Manager. Now in a leadership role, he strives to pay that confidence forward

“Where I am today, I can see that same potential in employees and supervisors,” he said. “I want to help them grow and succeed. Because others saw it in me, I’ve learned how to recognize when someone is ready for greater responsibility, even before they realize it themselves.”

Escontrias will celebrate 16 years with the City of Odessa in December.

FIRECRACKER FIRECRACKER FANDANGO

29 Annual Firecracker Fandango

July 4, 2026 | Starts at 6:00 p.m. | Fireworks at 10:00 p.m.

Live music by ZZ Nation and Caleb Young

Want text reminders before and during the event? Sign up here.

Explore Firecracker Fandango with our new “Explore Firecracker Fandango Passport” game experience: Sign up here

Firecracker Fandango is right around the corner, and this year we're bringing you more ways than ever to make the most of the celebration!

For the first time, Firecracker Fandango has its very own website: firecrackerfandango.com. Your one-stop destination for everything you need to know about the event.

We're also excited to introduce several new features, including the “Explore Firecracker Fandango Passport” Experience, an official event logo, and a text message alert system.

Sign up to receive updates before and during the event so you can stay informed, discover activities, and make sure you don't miss a moment of the fun.

This year marks the first time Firecracker Fandango has featured two official logos, each created with a unique purpose. The first logo honored the event's tradition and Odessa's strong community roots, reflecting the history that has made Firecracker Fandango a local favorite for nearly 30 years.

As the celebration approached, a second commemorative logo was introduced to recognize America's 250th anniversary, combining the pride of our nation's founding with the excitement of this year's celebration. Each logo was intentionally designed to celebrate both the event's legacy and this historic moment in American history.

ANNUAL PICNIC for City Employees and their Loved Ones

CityofOdessa Employee Appreciation

It was a special day dedicated to the people who help keep Odessa running! The City of Odessa recently celebrated its annual Employee Picnic as a way to thank our employees for their hard work and dedication throughout the year.

Hosted at the Sherwood Family Aquatic Center, the event brought together hundreds of employees and their families for a day filled with fun, food, and time together.

To every City of Odessa employee, thank you for everything you do to serve our community each and every day. We appreciate you!

C E L E B R A T I N G C E L E B R A T I N G

Our annual City Picnic was filled with smiles, laughter, and plenty of fun and we captured it all in this special video!

From delicious food and family-friendly games to the dunk tank, swimming, and activities for all ages, there was something for everyone to enjoy More importantly, it was a chance to thank the incredible employees who keep the City of Odessa running every day and to celebrate with the people who support them most their families.

In this video, you'll hear from one of our employees, a new father, as he shares what it meant to bring his 4month-old son to his very first City Picnic. You'll also hear from Mayor Cal Hendrick about why recognizing our employees is so important, along with an employee from our Billing and Collection Department who explains why this event means so much to City staff

Take a look at some of the highlights from a great day of fun, appreciation, and community!

T e a m O d e s s a

CityofOdessa Annual Picnic

QUALITY SERVICE AWARDS

“Daisy Samaniego has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, professionalism and a positive attitude in serving the organization and the public. She regularly exceeds expectations in a busy office environment, willingly stepping in to manage the office independently when needed while maintaining efficiency, knowledge and professionalism. Her work ethic, teamwork, and welcoming demeanor make her a valuable asset and a positive example to coworkers and the community alike.” - Nominated by Jaime Rodriguez

Award-Winning Communication

The awards and counties innovation, a especially competitive, attracting a record-tying 711 entries from municipalities across the state.

Among the department’s achievements were two First Place awards in Crisis Communication and Social Media Unplanned Campaigns. The team also received recognition for its 2026-2027 Strategic Communications Plan, Best New Logo, Father-Daughter Dance promotional flyer, Christmas Marketing Plan, and photography produced for Odessa Animal Services.

The Communications Department’s success did not stop there The team also earned two Bronze Telly Awards for video productions The Telly Awards are among the world’s premier competitions honoring excellence in video and television across all screens

Earning these awards requires more than strong visuals or creative messaging Judges evaluate the strategy behind each project, including how ideas are developed, implemented, and measured for success Applicants must demonstrate the impact of their work and the results achieved for the communities they serve

FINANCIAL Comeback City of Odessa

When people think about City services, they often picture roads, parks, public safety, and utilities. However, behind every project and every service is a team working to keep Odessa’s financial foundation strong.

Over the last two years, the Finance Department has made significant strides in strengthening the City’s financial reporting processes and restoring confidence in Odessa’s financial position.

Since November 2023, the department has successfully completed audits for fiscal years 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 Most notably, the Fiscal Year 2025 audit was completed on time which is a major milestone that demonstrates the team’s commitment to accountability and excellence.

Their efforts helped the City of Odessa regain its Aa2 bond rating from Moody’s, marking a significant improvement and the first rating at that level since 2017-2018 Moody’s cited the City’s conservative budget practices, growing revenues, and manageable long-term liabilities as key factors in the rating.

Mayor Cal Hendrick recognized the Finance Department for its dedication and hard work in bringing Odessa’s financial reporting and ratings back on track

While much of their work happens behind the scenes, the Finance Department’s commitment to excellence continues to have a lasting impact on the City of Odessa and the community it serves.

Community Blood Drive

The City of Odessa partnered with Vitalant to host a community blood drive, encouraging residents and employees to donate blood and help save lives.

For Scott Anderson, Director of Building Services, blood donation has become a regular way to give back to the community. Anderson has been donating blood for the past three years and said the process is straightforward and rewarding.

“I would encourage anyone within the City organization who wants to give blood to reach out to those of us who donate,” Anderson said. “We can talk with you about it, walk you through the process, and help calm some of those fears.”

A regular donor for the past four years, Dispatcher Marina Rodriguez said she began donating because she understands that anyone could one day need blood. She encourages first-time donors not to let fear keep them from participating, noting that the donation process is simple and typically takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish.

“I encourage everybody to donate if you can,” Rodriguez said. “Especially if you have a rare blood type that is in high demand. A small amount of your time can have a big impact on someone else's life.”

The City of Odessa appreciates everyone who participated in the event, including donors, volunteers, and the Vitalant staff members who helped make the blood drive a success.

EMPLOYEE RESOURCE CORNER

Learn More about Your Benefits

Working for the City of Odessa comes with more than just a rewarding career! It comes with great benefits, too! We are committed to supporting our employees through a variety of programs and services that promote health, financial security, work-life balance, and professional growth. Whether you're planning for the future, caring for your family, or focusing on your personal well-being, the City offers benefits designed to help you succeed every step of the way.

Helping You with Your Medications

Did you know there's a free and confidential benefit offered to you by the City of Odessa health insurance? It’s called Tria Health Insurance.

Tria Health is a free and confidential benefit available to those on City of Odessa's health insurance Plus, employees can earn up to $150 free money by participating in the program. Tria Health offers one-on-one phone consultations with a pharmacist to help ensure your medications are working, answer health questions, coordinate with your doctor, and save you money!

Additional Support

Access additional support through the Blue Cross Blue Shield Mental Health Hub, (under My Health tab, Wellness) in your Blue Access for Members (BAM) dashboard or mobile app.

To create a BAM account, use the member ID number on your BCBS ID card and visit bcbstx.com or text BCBSTXAPP to 33633 to download the mobile app.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Mental Health Resources

We know the recent loss of one of our first responders has deeply impacted our team.

During this difficult time, please give yourself space to grieve and seek support when needed.

Through your City of Odessa-sponsored Lyra Health benefit, you and your eligible family members have access to six free, confidential sessions each year with a licensed therapist or certified coach, available virtually or in person. Lyra also offers helpful resources, including:

Grief After the Loss of a Loved One Understanding Grief and Grief Triggers Grieving with Mindful Awareness

If you need assistance accessing these resources or would like additional support please contact your supervisor or the Benefits team.

If you have not yet activated your Lyra benefit, visit odessa-tx.lyrahealth.com or download the Lyra app.

July Healthy Eating Challenge

Join us as we explore the building blocks of a balanced whole-food nutrition plan and learn how to fuel our bodies for energy, health, and long-term success

What You'll Learn Each Week:

WEEK 1 - HYDRATION

The power of water, tips for staying hydrated and energized

WEEK 2 - HEALTHY FATS

Why fats matter, smart choices for heart and brain health.

WEEK 3 - PROTEIN

Building and maintaning muscle, protein packed meal ideas

WEEK 4 - HEALTHY CARBS

Understanding healthy carbs, choosing foods that provide lasting energy

REGISTRATION

Join a team (up to 8 people) or participate solo. For details or to register, contact Kathy Grywusiewicz, Health and Wellness Coordinator, at 308 N Lee Street, 432-335-4801 or KGrywusiewicz@odessatx gov

WHY PARTICIPATE?

Learn practical nutrition fundamentals Build healthier eating habits, increase energy and wellness, receive motivation and support, and put your knowledge into action.

JULY21