The Brownwood City Council during Tuesday’s meeting approved a lease with the Pecan Valley Regional Domestic Violence Shelter, Inc., better known as The Ark
The City of Brownwood and Brown County own the property and building, along with a vacant lot across the street for parking, that it has been leasing to the Ark since 2004. The lease was a 10-year lease with a 10-year renewal and that lease is expiring at the end of this year.
The Ark asked the City to renew the lease for another 10 years on the same terms and conditions as the previous lease—on an “As-Is” basis, must use the property for shelter purposes, does not have to pay a lease payment, but is obligated to maintain the property in a good habitable condition.
In other items of business Tuesday:
The Council approved a resolution to enter into an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) to replace the existing Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) at the airport utilizing City reserves.
The City has an opportunity to replace the AWOS with a new grant opportunity from TXDOT at a 90/10 match. This resolution is basically the start of the application process which will require approval from TXDOT. Once approved, the City will be required to solicit bids, award a contract, pay for all costs upfront, and then seek reimbursement for funds. The total cost of the project is approximately $125,000 with the actual cost to the City of $12,500.
The City Council also approved the following appointments
Airport Board (2-year terms)
Has served since: 1992 Brad Locker (12/31/25)
Has served since: 1996 Carter Sharpe
Has served since: 2011 Sam Stewardson
Animal Shelter Board
One vacant position
Audit Committee 3-year terms
Has served since: 2011 Tim Espinoza (12/31/26)
Brownwood Municipal Development District (2-year terms – can only serve 4 consecutive terms)
Has served since: 2017 Daniel Hutson
Ashley Jaynes in replacement of Mark Bessent’s unexpired term – 10/1/24
Building and Standards Commission (2-year terms)
Has served since: 2013 Fred Kelly (12/31/25)
Has served since: 2016 Glenn Williamson
Has served since: 2020 Alternate Member Robert Snyder
Civil Service Commission (3-year terms)
Has served since: 2014 Marisha Stidom
Firemen’s Relief and Retirement Fund (2-year terms)
Has served since: 2018 Robert Myers (12/31/25)
Library Board (3-year terms)
2020 Carrie Harding (12/31/26)
Will need two replacements – Mary Allice Reagan resigned and Christopher Munson does not want to continue serving.
Parks Advisory Committee (3-year terms)
Has served since: 2012 Albert Gomez (12/31/26)
Has served since: 2019 Mitch Moore
Planning and Zoning Commission (3-year terms)
Has served since: 2020 Charles Lockwood (12/31/26)
Has served since: 2011 Liz Brown
Unified Appeals Board (5-year terms)
Has served since: 2012 Construction Codie Smith (12/31/28)
Has served since: 2012 Alt. Construction Rick Biessener
Zoning Board of Adjustments (3-year terms)
Has served since: 2021 Matt Williams (12/31/26)
Alternate Member, Nancy Jo Humfeld – no longer wishes to serve. Need a replacement.
The City Council also heard a report on the $300,000 budgeted by the Street Department for street rehab in the 2024 calendar year.