The Brownwood City Council, during Tuesday morning’s meeting, voted unanimously to increase to the low cost spay and neuter voucher co-pay and to provide additional funding for the program for the rest of the 2024-25 fiscal year.
“We made some changes in that program in that the cost for the voucher will go up by $10 for cats and $20 for dogs, and the reason for that is the increase in veterinary costs since the inception of the program,” said City Manager Emily Crawford. “The Council also authorized $20,000 to be provided for the voucher program because the shelter has exceeded or run out of funds available, so this will continue to allow us to issue vouchers. In the future, we’re looking at some additional changes, but at this point in time those are the only changes being made.”
The co-pay for cats is increasing from $45 to $55, for dogs under 60 pounds from $55 to $75, and for dogs over 60 pounds from $75 to $95.
Currently, the City’s portion of the average cost of vet bills is 64%. With the administration fee to the Corinne T. Smith Animal Shelter ($15), the City’s portion of the whole program is 67%. With the increase in the co-pay, the City’s portion of the average cost of vet bills would be 53%. With the administration fee to the Shelter ($15), the City’s portion of the whole program would be 58%.
Also Tuesday, the Council authorized the remaining American Rescue Plan Funding Allocation (ARPA) to be expensed for Riverside Park and a TPWD grant match to close out ARPA funding.
The City of Brownwood has completed all American Rescue Plan projects as allocated, except for Riverside Park Phase I that is in the process of being finalized. The City of Brownwood completed projects designated by the City Council in the following five categories: Infrastructure Improvements, Public Utilities, Public Health & Safety, General Government Services, Grant Match.
The City of Brownwood was required to obligate all the funds by December 31, 2024, and to expend all the funds by December 31, 2026. To close out ARPA funding, staff is requesting the Council to authorize remaining funds after the contract close out with Sullivan Construction to be expensed for Riverside Park furnishings, signage, security cameras, installation costs, grant match and/or other required costs.
Deputy City Manager Marshal McIntosh told Council an estimated $70,000 remains in ARPA funding.
The Council also adopted a resolution authorizing the submission of a Texas Community Development Block Grant program application to the Texas Department of Agriculture for the Downtown Revitalization Program.
In January 2025, the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) opened a new round of Downtown Revitalization Program grant applications. The “Community Application” is due on April 3, 2025. The maximum grant request is $1,000,000 and requires a $50,000 match to be most competitive. If awarded, the City can complete sidewalks, lighting, and street improvements in its Downtown area.
Council also approved a Building Improvement Incentive Program (BIIP) grant not to exceed $25,000 to R & R Cards & Games for a property located at 403 Fisk Street.
Mickel Perkins, who owns CDC Games near the courthouse square, recently purchased the former Brown County Appraisal District building located at 403 Fisk St. He plans to fully remodel the building as a new retail space and relocate his current business once it is complete. He will rebrand the business to be called R & R Cards & Games once he makes the move. Renovations include interior demo (walls and ceiling), new flooring, new storefront doors and windows, interior buildout, interior paint, updated electrical and lighting. The expected total cost of renovations will be $67,000.