After almost two and a half hours of a presentation and spirited discussion, the Brown County Commissioners on Monday night approved by a 3-1 vote entering a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between YMCA of Abilene, the City of Early and Brown County regarding the Brown County Family YMCA. Then, by a 4-0 vote, commissioners approved an order calling for a bond election for May 4.

Well over 100 residents attended the meeting at the district courtroom in the Brown County Courthouse, where Early City Administrator Tony Aaron, Abilene YMCA CEO David Hendricks, SSARCO Architect Founder Scott Sower and Hilltop Securities Managing Director Erick Macha guided those in attendance through a detailed presentation of the proposed two-story, 38,000 square feet facility to be located in the Early Town Center Project.

Construction cost of the facility is expected to be between $15 million and $20 million. A $20 million bond to be paid over 15 years was proposed, which would add $0.0412 to the county tax rate. The median tax value of property in Brown County comes out to a $148,938, which translates to a $61.37 increase in taxes per year.

A total of 1,174 people have filled out a survey on the City of Early’s website regarding what they would like to see in a potential YMCA. Also among the questions were ‘would those filling out the survey support a bond to pay for the project.’ and 81.5% that filled out the survey said they would. On the survey, 41 percent live in Brownwood, 27 percent within the county, 22 percent in Early, and 4 percent outside the county.

County commissioner Joel Kelton pointed out the bond would pay for the creation of the YMCA, but after a certain amount of time the fiscal responsibility would fall on the county in terms of upkeep and upgrades, which could lead to future tax hikes.

After the first five years of the arrangement, Aaron told commissioners that the MOU in years 6-10 covers negotiating a subsidy and capping the subsidy at a maximum of 20 percent of the operation costs.

The operational cost of the Brown County Family YMCA is expected to be approximately $900,000 a year which will be generated solely on memberships. Monthly membership dues are expected to be $65 for a family, $60 for a couple, $55 for a one adult family or a senior couple, $35 for a single, $30 for a single senior (60+), $25 for a young adult (18-26) and $20 for a teen (13-17). Hendricks added that scholarship money would be available for those in financial need to help pay for some memberships, and that the money would be generated through sponsorships within the community.

Among the highlights of the YMCA itself, the 26,770 foot ground floor would feature a gymnasium with enough room for a full size basketball court or three pickleball courts; a natatorium with a therapy pool as well as lap lanes; the reception area; child watch; lounge; the wellness (weight/cardio) room; a playground; and locker rooms and restrooms.

The second story features an indoor track, another wellness room, and group exercise rooms that can be repurposed for a variety of uses at any time.

The property where the YMCA sits would be given to the county by the City of Early, Aaron said, and the City of Early would maintain the property in terms of mowing, etc.

Following the presentation, Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes voiced his support for a YMCA in Brown County, but also expressed concerns.

Haynes mentioned the perceived support the Brown County Commissioners had shown toward allowing a YMCA bond to be voted on by the public, which Haynes stated hadn’t existed from the county with similar type projects such as a new library and rodeo grounds in Brownwood. Haynes asked if the commissioners were now willing to entertain a bond election, could the election be delayed to add other projects.

Haynes stated the bond could be constructed like the May 2023 Brownwood ISD bond election in which voters could choose one, two, three, or no options. Haynes also mentioned with Brownwood residents currently paying for the BISD bond, approving another bond – at least among the Brownwood voters in the county – could be difficult.

While there appeared to be thought given to allowing for more items to be added to the bond, Aaron reiterated that the YMCA project was almost two years in the making and was ready to take the next steps. Kelton then reiterated the time it took Early to get its YMCA presentation together and questioned whether addition projects could be developed and finalized between now and November.

Haynes also voiced concerns about the YMCA threatening gyms in Brownwood and potentially putting them out of business. He also suggested a “neutral site” for the YMCA and mentioned the population difference between Brownwood and Early.

Several of those in attendance mentioned that, to them, it didn’t matter where the YMCA was located within the county because it was for the entire county, and why must there be a longer wait when the project is ready to move forward.

Ultimately, the commissioners voted on the MOU with Gary Worley being the only no, as he earlier mentioned adding all potential items into one bond would be prudent. Once the MOU passed, however, Worley joined Kelton, Wayne Shaw and Larry Traweek in calling for the bond election.

More information on the Brown County Family YMCA can be found on the City of Early website at https://www.earlytx.net/.