Tourism is alive and well in Brownwood according to Brownwood Chamber of Commerce Tourism Manager Sunni Modawell with an increased impact on the county in 2012 despite challenges of the economy and drought effects.
Modawell addressed the Brownwood City Council at their Tuesday morning meeting with encouraging numbers that show Brown County is ranked 85th in tourism out of 254 counties statewide.
The 2012 economic impact numbers related to tourism in Brown County showed $50.4 million in direct visitor spending, up from $49 million in 2011. Local tax receipts related to tourism was $1,005,800 which is up from $950,000 in 2011. Travel industry jobs numbered 600 and produced $14.4 million in earnings. These numbers were provided by the State of Texas Office of the Governor, Economic Development and Tourism.
“We are pleased to announce those numbers, they are strong and good,” said Modawell. “We are happy to see that.”
There were 15 events promoted by the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce during the months of April, May and June. Some of these included the Brown County Rodeo Parade and Western Week, Heartland Rod Run, Brown County Museum of History Event, Brownwood Bass Club’s open tournament, the Brownwood Lyric theatres summer series, Buckmasters Heart of Texas Chapter’s annual banquet, Brownwood Soccer Club 3V3 Tournament, Legends Junior Tour Bluebonnet Championship, Fellowship of Christian Athletes Tournament and for the first time ever, the Don Harding Texas Bowl – Texas 6 Man All Star Tournament.
The Convention and Visitor’s Bureau has goals of development of Brownwood on the State of Texas’ birding map, developing an open paddling trail, recruiting more religious conferences, making geocaching in Brownwood more prominent, develop rock climbing areas and activities for rock hounds, developing tourism around the history of Camp Bowie, and more according to Modawell. Leadership Brownwood had their tourism segment recently, and had the chance to tour attractions in the area.
Modawell stated that the Chamber also advertised in the Texas Rangers Yearbook and has done some new rack cards that will be placed at hotels that feature a general Brownwood brochure as well as dining, museums and outdoor activities.
In other matters on Tuesday’s agenda:
*Council approved an ordinance on second and third/final readings approving revisions to the Drought Contingency Plan.
*Council approved amendments to the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services Contracts, Title XX 2012/2013, Title XX 2013/2014, Title XIX 2013/2014 and authorized the mayor to sign the 2013/2014 vendor’s agreement for Home Delivered Meals with the Texas Department of Aging and Disability.
*Council approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an agreement with TxDOT to close various streets and intersections for the Brownwood Reunion activities.
*Council approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an agreement with TxDOT for temporary closure of FM 2524 (Austin Avenue) from Fisk Avenue to Center Avenue for the Howard Payne Homecoming Parade on October 5, 2013.
*Amendments to the Meet and Confer Agreement between the City of Brownwood and the Brownwood Municipal Police Association (BMPA) were approved. According to City Manager Bobby Rountree, changes allow for: (1) more time (30 days rather than 10) to get background checks of eligible candidates for hiring once test results were posted for the written exam and (2) changes the requirement of assignment to the positions of detective and field training officer from a minimum of 2 years of experience with the Brownwood Police Department to open it up to all officers of BPD who have a minimum of just 2 years experience as a peace officer and have completed the field training program, (even if it is with another agency) if there are no other qualified officers who have at least 2 years experience with BPD.
*Council approved a contract with Brasher and Company for Kohler’s solid waste disposal According to City Manager Bobby Rountree, Kohler disposed of 22,078 tons of solid waste at the Brownwood Landfill. Customers with over 2,000 tons must enter into a contract to received preferred pricing at a discount rate of 82.4% of the gate rate.
*Council approved the sale of 3.54 acres of land located on FM 45 to the Brownwood Economic Development Corporation. This land will be resold to Progressive Waste Company, or IESI, which is a waste disposal company that services area communities such as Coleman, Bangs, Santa Anna, Deleon, and Gustine. IESI is planning on moving their headquarters from Blanket to Brownwood to be closer to the landfill.
*Rountree and Brownwood Chief of Police Mike Corley gave a reminder of the Drug Awareness program which will take place at the Brownwood Coliseum at 9:00 a.m. on August 30th. The guest speaker for the event is Tiffany Eis who has a powerful testimony regarding how her life changed after methamphetamine and prescription drug addiction. School students along with their families are encouraged to attend this free event.
*Brownwood City Council approved a settlement agreement between the city and Verizon after discussion in executive session. The agreement calls for Verizon to pay the city $80,366.97. This is the final payment to the city from Verizon after charges were discovered by a consulting company audited bills on behalf of the city and discovered charges that “were not supported by records.” These charges occurred over a 10 year period according to city attorney Pat Chesser.
