During Tuesday afternoon’s meeting, the Brownwood Municipal Development District Board of Directors approved the 2024-25 fiscal year budget, which will next be presented to the Brownwood City Council for final approval.
Among the highlights, $400,000 has been marked for parks and recreation projects, an increase over recent years as the BMDD has more money at its disposal with the Brownwood Event Center and other projects paid off.
A total of $125,000 is committed to Allcorn Park for the new playground equipment that is being installed. Another possible use for the money could go toward resurfacing three basketball courts at Coggin Park, BMDD Executive Director Ray Tipton told the Board.
Also during Tuesday’s meeting, the BMDD approved pursuing a sponsorship not to exceed $20,000 for the Feels Like Home Festival set for Oct. 19 at the Brownwood Event Center.
Tipton told the Board the Feels Like Home Festival will be the largest event in downtown Brownwood in nine years, since the departure of the Brownwood Reunion. Tipton stated with the sponsorship the BMDD could negotiate foregoing advertising and marketing in favor of more general admission and VIP tickets for potential developers.
Members of the Board asked Tipton to allow other local businesses the opportunity to purchase sponsorships ahead of the BMDD, but to eventually pursue a sponsorship opportunity “in a few weeks.”
Along with the musical acts lined up for Feels Like Home, Tipton also stated there will be a celebrity barbecue cook-off component to the festival, and one of the barbecuers currently has a show on Netflix.
Tipton also shared that the former CVS site at at 100 E. Commerce is vacant and for sale. There was a contract on the building, but it recently fell through. Tipton mentioned a short-term tenant could be occupying the property for the holiday season.
Following the conclusion of an executive session Tuesday, the BMDD Board approved a Building Improvement Incentive Grant not to exceed $14,400 for a property at 1503 Austin Avenue owned by JGAL Properties.