The City of Brownwood adopted the fiscal year 2011/2012 budget Tuesday, September 27 along with finishing up business such as setting utility rates and deposits and fees for rentals, license, and permits.
The $29,935,811 fiscal year budget was approved and adopted Tuesday by the Brownwood Council. The budget is an increase of 1.07% from the prior year, but city officials said that the budget was created with no increase in the tax rate or increase in utility rates. The new budget also included a 6% pay raise for city firefighters and police as well as a 3% pay increase for other city employees.
Council also adopted a property tax rate of 0.7452 per $100 valuation which is the same rate as last year, but will generate 1.5% more revenue for the city due to an overall increase in assessed values. This rate was proposed and public hearings were held on September 6th and 13th, then an ordinance on first reading was passed on September 20th. Second, third and final readings and a vote by council adopted the tax rate on Tuesday.
A miscellaneous fee ordinance was approved setting fees for all city services not addressed in the utility rate ordinance which was also passed. No increases were noted in city utilities or fees. A copy of the detailed budget is available on the City of Brownwood website, in the City Secretary’s office and at the Brownwood Public Library. The city’s new fiscal year will begin October 1, 2011.
In other matters on the city council agenda:
*Council approved the $1,419,733 Brownwood Economic Development Corporations 2011/2012 Budget which was unanimously approved by the BEDC Board of Directors on September 20, 2011.
*A public hearing was held and an ordinance was approved on first reading to amend the zoning classification for 2001 Calvert Road, the property which was previously Woodcreek Baptist Church. The existing church has been sold and is being renovated to be converted into an adult day care service. Surrounding property owners have expressed concern about the potential client base of the daycare, which has not been clarified, according to City Manager Bobby Rountree. Residents also expressed concern to officials that if the property was zoned C1 commercial and the business failed or the property was sold, it could be turned into a convenience store or other commercial business that might affect the value and desirability of their properties or even the safety in the neighborhood. After an executive session, the council voted to allow a change of zoning to R-1, which is a more restrictive zoning than commercial according to Rountree. With the R-1 classification, the owner will have to go before the Zoning Board of Adjustments to obtain a special use permit for the operation of the facility.
*Council conducted a public hearing and considered on first reading to amend the zoning classification of a portion of the Turtle Rock addition, known as 3619 Golding Road and 3622 Milam Drive from C-2 general business district to MH-manufactured home/mobile home district.
Property owner, Luzanne Coburn of Round Rock, Texas stated that her family has tried to sell the property as commercial with no success and now feels the only way to sell the property is to convey it to a buyer who has expressed an interest in the property being zoned for mobile homes. Due to wording on the agenda, a vote could not be taken Tuesday; however will be reposted on a later agenda.
*Council confirmed City Manager Bobby Rountree’s appointment of Bobby Burks as manager of the Brownwood Regional Airport. 49 applications were received for the position; however according to Rountree, Burks did an “outstanding job as interim manager, starting at the bottom and has worked his way up to this position.”
Privatization of the airport was considered with a company out of San Marcus who analyzed their potential to operate the airport; however, the company did not opt to move forward due to their concerns of growing too fast and the need to focus their efforts on their business in San Marcus.
