A balanced budget will be given to city council members at next Monday’s budget workshop according to Brownwood City Manager Bobby Rountree during his report to city council on Tuesday morning.
Rountree promised that the City of Brownwood is working to balance the budget without any increases to citizens of taxes or fees.
“I will present a balanced budget with no tax increases or fee increases,” said Rountree. “All city services remain intact.”
Walter Middleton, the city’s director of finance, explained that the only possibility of a fee increase would come if the Brown County Water District was to increase their charge for the price of water sold to the city. The Brown County Water Improvement District has not announced their wholesale rates to the city yet pending their budget workshop. Another variable is the certified tax roll which has not yet been received from the Brown County Appraisal District.
Rountree also discussed the TYC job fair held last week, stating that it was a success. 14 companies and 80 employees participated in the event.
“A few jobs were offered on site and accepted by attendees and several more were accepted later as a result of the job fair,” confirmed BEDC Director Emily Crawford.
The FEMA requirements to finish the elevation study for the city of Brownwood have all been met according to Rountree. The southeast quadrant of the city was not included in the original study which showed how water flows and runs off from FM 2126 through Lori Lane to Oak Park and then into the Canyon Creek area.
Rountree has been in discussions with a private management company, Texas Aviation, who is considering applying for the Brownwood Regional Airport management position. Rountree explained that the company would have a 60-90 day review of the airport to see if their management would be a good opportunity for both the company and the city. The airport was originally a federal airport and Texas Aviation is also looking at the deed to see how this may affect how they could manage the airport if an agreement is reached in the future.
In other matters on the council agenda:
*Approval was given to Mayor Stephen Haynes to sign an agricultural lease at $9.01/acre, total lease amount per year is $2099.33 for the 233 acre parcel. Approval was also given for the mayor to sign a hunting lease at $27/acre, total lease amount for the 214.9 acre parcel is $5802.32 per year. Both leases will require insurance and were awarded to the highest bidders on a 3 year term standard lease agreement.
*Council approved replacing one of the 5 air conditioning units at the Adams Street Community Center which services the kitchen and room C. A 4 ton unit which stopped working is being replaced by a new 5 ton unit. This is the last of the original units installed in 1977. The new unit will use gas instead of electricity for heating and will be more efficient. The total estimated cost will be $9500 which is not included in the current fiscal budget. An amendment will be presented to the council at the end of the fiscal year.
*A resolution was approved by the council to authorize the mayor to execute an agreement with TxDOT and KSA Engineering to develop plans and specifications for the rehabilitation of airport runway 17-35. According to information presented at the council meeting, this runway is approximately 840,000 sq. feet, 150 feet wide and 5600 in length. Much of the pavement is experiencing “alligator cracking particularly in the intersection of the two runways. An engineering study to determine options and estimated costs will be performed which will cost the city $21,500 and the rehabilitation will be split between the city and TxDOT. A grant from TxDOT will cover 90% of the cost leaving the city to pay 10% of the construction cost. According to Rountree, this type of repair is not included in each year’s fiscal budget because it is “too difficult to budget in regular budgeting each year”.
Mayor Haynes and Rountree recognized all the behind the scenes work that city employees did to make the funeral and procession flawless for the family of Lieutenant Stone Monday. Departments specifically named were Brownwood Police, streets crews, and Parks and recreation who worked to make everything go smoothly for the family. Mayor Haynes stated that every city department played a role in the day’s success.
Many hours were spent in the logistics in planning the funeral, stated Haynes of the police department, “As far as I know there was not a hiccup in the entire route of the entire procession and so you did a great job and we very much appreciate that.”
Mayor Haynes thanked the citizens for the way they lined the streets, stating that he was proud of the way the community turned out. He noted how many residents expressed on their facebook pages how they were proud of the way the community turned out to support Lt. Stone and his family.
“I share that great pride in what they did and how we recognize great men,” stated Haynes.
Other cities that came to participate in the funeral, their time, effort and money to make sure that this went off well. Calls from across the state and nation came into the city expressing their condolences.
The fire department was also recognized for their work during this time; Mayor Haynes mentioned the leadership of Fire Marshal Buddy Preston and Assistant Fire Chief Grady Shuey as well as Fire Chief Del Albright.
“Brownwood Fire Department, these men, lost a great friend and brother in arms and then worked the next 72 hours. They did not get to stop and grieve like we got to stop and grieve,” stated Haynes. “they went into overtime basically and I know having known the stories, they made sure the fire continued to run and that the funeral had all the tradition that they knew Lt. Stone desired. They also were at Lt. Stone’s home supporting Cooper and supporting Jenny.”
