Written by Ben Cox – It’s time to recognize the people that make our lives easier, to shine a spotlight on the men and women of our community that work for us, even if we never know it. We present to you “Civic Spotlight.”
This week, we talk to a man whose job title certainly does not begin to fully encompass his efforts for our area.
Tim Murray is the Director of Development Services for the city of Brownwood, a job that defines the phrase “Jack of all Trades”. “Under that title I wear quite a few hats” says Murray. In his job he oversees code enforcement officers, building inspectors, facility maintenance which is responsible for city owned buildings and projects, as well as a property maintenance department group that mows city owned properties, right of ways, and so on.
Murray is also overseeing the rehabilitation of the Depot, as crews refresh the paint and replace damaged wood in the historic facility. Murray is also on the Zoning Board of Adjustments, the group that residents apply to in order build carports, make changes to existing structures and so forth.
Murray says a large portion of his job has to do with code enforcement, which much like his job title does not give much indication to the nature of position. Murray says many Brownwood residents would be “surprised about the living conditions that exist here in Brownwood. Some of the houses that we go in and enforce on don’t have running water, they don’t have electricity, a working toilet or sink and you find people living in these conditions.”
“We work very hard to clean up those areas and make sure that it doesn’t make an impact on everyone’s lives. Our job is to keep that managed to a point that it doesn’t affect everybody within the city.”
Sometimes the conditions are so bad the residents are relocated. “We try to contact Adult Protective Services and get them some help that way. We will contact Family Services, in some situations we call CPS if we find children in bad situations.” However, there are legal limitations on what Murray and his workers can do.
“If you have filth and trash in your yard that’s visible from the right of way or your neighbors yard we can impact that. If you choose to live in filth and unsanitary conditions inside your house there’s limits. But if we see children being forced to live in these conditions that’s different and we get CPS or Family Services involved.”
As you would expect, Murray looks forward to his down time, and is as serious about leisure as he is about work. A fan of all things rodeo, Murray’s office is lined with photos of himself and family members roping, riding and the like. “I don’t do it so much anymore, my age is catching up to me!”
Murray is also a travel buff, taking trips every year with family friends like Sherri Speck and her family. A recent trip to Cabo San Lucas flooded his Facebook feed with pictures of sandy beaches and colorful shirts.
Thank you for everything you do, Tim Murray. You and your officers truly deserve this moment in the Civic Spotlight.
