Joy not seeking re-election to Lubbock council

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - Lubbock city councilwoman Latrelle Joy announced Wednesday she is not seeking a fourth term.

“The charter for the City of Lubbock has no term limits for elected officials, but I do,” Joy said in a statement. “Twelve years serving District 6 has been a privilege and a pleasure. I have always said that I have the best district!”

Joy was first elected to represent the northwest Lubbock district in 2012. One of her top priorities has been advocating on behalf of the homeless population, having been first appointed to the committee by the council in 2011.

“From 2016 through 2022, our councils accomplished so much for public safety including new facilities for Police and Fire and set in motion plans for Lake 7 and further sources of water,” Joy said in the written statement. She also said she’s proud of the growth and development of the City-County health department under Katherine Wells’ leadership.

Joy also highlighted the “City’s efforts in assisting with the diversion center to be completed in 2025, a facility to give homeless and drug misdemeanor violators a choice of receiving help or to spend time in the Detention Center.”

She said the city must continue to be fiscally sound and mindful of citizens’ needs, from potholes to public safety. Joy said she will miss city and staff, “who work so very hard and not always in the best of circumstances. Please be kind to them as they work for all of us.”

As a practicing attorney, her biography on the city website states she served on the State Bar of Texas Family Law Council, the Collaborative Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, and as a member and trustee of the Collaborative Law Institute of Texas. Joy currently serves as the president of the Rotary Club of Lubbock.

Businessman Tim Collins has announced his intention to run for the District 6 seat. The city election is May 4.