City Council OKs purchase of Event Center equipment

city-hall

During Tuesday morning’s meeting, the Brownwood City Council approved the purchase of various equipment for the Brownwood Event Center Complex subject to procurement rules and regulations of $190,635 to be paid from City reserves.

As the Brownwood Event Center Complex nears completion, there is a need for the purchase of various equipment for operations of the new complex.

The needed types of equipment include the following:

  • IT Screens: $39,600.00
  • Operations Equipment (partial list): $75,868.00
  • IT Network Equipment: $66,089.00
  • 5% for shipping and contingency: $9,078.00
  • Total this request: $190,635.00

Staff requested funding from City reserves and authority to purchase these items in accordance to City procurement rules and regulations – any single purchase over $5,000 will require 3 quotes and any purchase over $50,000 will require additional Council approval either through the bidding process or a purchasing co-op contract. Staff will make every effort to purchase items locally, when possible.

Staff requested from reserves a dollar amount for these purchases that is 5% over estimated costs to cover any possible shipping and contingency. The City currently has 142 days in reserve – including funds generated from surplus sale tax revenue from the last several years. This approval represents less than 2 days of reserves.

Additional purchase request will be coming in the near future for security cameras, wifi access points, signage, art, additional operations equipment, additional kitchen equipment and additional parking development.

Also Tuesday, the Brownwood City Council approved the purchase of kitchen equipment for the Brownwood Event Center Complex from Ben E. Keith through Sourcewell purchasing co-op for $62,618.86 to be paid from City reserves.

Ben E. Keith provided a quote for purchase of equipment for the catering kitchen at the Event Center Complex. This equipment will help facilitate food and beverage service at the complex for catered events, as designed in the plans.

This purchase would be through the purchasing co-op Sourcewell for a total of $62,618.86, which includes items such as refrigerators, coolers, warmers, prep tables, ice maker, sinks, freezers, and other catering kitchen equipment.

Ben E. Keith will service the equipment after purchase. Estimated delivery time is 6-8 weeks from the date of order.

The City currently has 142 days in reserve – including funds generated from surplus sale tax revenue from the last several years. This approval represents less than 1 day of reserves.

Also Tuesday, the City Council approved a a resolution regarding the annual review of the City’s investment policy

The Public Funds Investment Act requires a review and re-adoption of the Investment Policy at least once per calendar year. The current investment policy was amended on January 10, 2023 and the City is not recommending any changes to it at this time.