During Tuesday morning’s meeting, the Brownwood City Council unanimously approved on third and final reading an ordinance approving the 2024-25 fiscal year budget of $45,791,394.

The final budget features a slight bump from the original proposed budget of $45,615,217 revealed in early July, and an 8.17% percent increase over the current budget of $42,334,148.

City Manager Emily Crawford said of the budget, “The primary increase is due to anticipated engineering costs for infrastructure improvements to downtown Brownwood for streets, sidewalks and public improvements, as well as engineering costs for some public works projects including a new lift station at the wastewater treatment plant.”

The Council also approved on first reading Tuesday a property tax rate of $.6938 per $100 valuation, which is effectively a 9.15 percent increase, for the 204-25 fiscal year.

The No-New-Revenue tax rate is $.64275 per $100 valuation. The proposed tax rate is $.69380 per $100 valuation which exceeds the No-New-Revenue tax rate by 7.94%. The proposed tax rate is an increase from last year of $.02790 or 4.19%.

A final vote on the tax rate will take place at the next City Council meeting.

Also Tuesday, the City Council approved what turned out to be $6,334.03 for renovations to the exterior of the soon to be new Brownwood/Brown County Health Department located at 305 Booker.

Prior to the meeting, a change order of $78,013 was going to be sought, but City staff obtained grant and program funding in the amount of $65,344.94. After grant funding is applied, the remaining balance of the change order is $12,668.06. The County will also be asked to provide $6,334.03 as well.

“We originally did not have a scope of improvements for the exterior of the building out of cost savings measures,” Crawford said. “We have since received a quote from our contractor to do some exterior improvements that would finish out that construction project. Our heath department director Lisa Dick has identified funding through grants that would cover most of the exterior improvements. We think that could be reduced further should we find additional grant funds. The construction project on the interior is almost complete and we should see that facility populated by the Brownwood/Brown County Health Department in the next month.”

In other items on the agenda, Council:

• Approved a Crown forklift at a cost of $51,561.90 for the Fleet Department through a year-end budget amendment. Though the Crown forklift was the most expensive of five options, Public Works Department Director Henry Wied told the Council the Crown forklift is the best purchase option because it is made in America, parts are more readily available, and it has a Kohler engine.
• Authorized DeLa Express the right to enter and survey a portion of city property located off of FM 45 known as the Container Repair yard. In April of 2024, the City was notified of a proposed 690-mile natural gas pipeline extending from the Permian Basin to Lake Charles, Louisiana. A portion of the line is planned to go through Brown County and would cross a City owned tract of land located off of FM 45, which is used for the Sanitation container repair yard and also leased for hunting.
• Ratified BMDD board action to approve a Building Improvement Incentive Program (BIIP) grant not to exceed $14,400 to JGal Properties and Precision Austin Hail Repair, located at 1503 Austin Ave.  The scope of the project includes installation of new HVAC units, electrical upgrades, new insulation, exterior paint, roof repairs, and construction of interior walls. The anticipated total cost of renovations will be $32,000. This project qualifies for the Building Improvement Incentive Program grant not to exceed $14,400.
• Approved a resolution for a negotiated settlement between Atmos Cities Steering Committee (ACSC) and Atmos Energy Corporation, Mid-Tex Division regarding the Company’s 2024 Rate Review Mechanism.
• Approved a $5,000 unrestricted monetary donation from David Fields to go toward the airport. Staff is recommending that the donation be used to purchase needed items for the airport including tools, fixtures, equipment, furniture, outside services, and employee appreciation efforts
• Ratified mayoral appointments of Paul Coghlan to the Animal Shelter Board, Ed McMillian to the Brown County Appraisal District, and Vincent Ornelas and Rita Hairston to the Brownwood Housing Authority Board. McMillian, Ornelas and Hairston are all re-appointments.
• Approved the Brownwood Municipal Development District budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year.

The Brownwood Fire Department also unveiled to those in attendance a remote-controlled mini-engine that will be used as part of their fire prevention seminars conducted at local elementary schools.