Brownwood News – The Brownwood City Council met Tuesday morning, September 17, a meeting that lasted only 10 minutes.  The Council passed four Ordinances to include first readings on the proposed city budget, the city tax rate, utility rates and fees for city facilities.  All ordinances passed unanimously.

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The proposed budget passed is for $36,280,868, an increase of 2.66% from the prior year.

The proposed tax rate passed is .7869 per $100 valuation.  This tax rate exceeds the effective tax rate of .7602 per $100 valuation by 3.4%.

The Ordinance setting rates for water, sewer, sanitation and landfill services reflects rate increases over the previous budget cycle.

The water base rate is being increased by $3.00 per month for a ¾” residential meter with proportionate increases for larger meters. The consumption water rate will be unchanged.

The sewer rate is being increased by 3%. The monthly minimum will increase from $26.88 to $27.68, an increase of 80¢ per month.

The sanitation rate is being increased by 3%. The monthly residential rate will increase from $21.74 to $22.39, an increase of 65¢ per month. Commercial rates will also increase by 3%.

The landfill gate rate will increase by $2.00 per ton, from $42.00 per ton to $44.00.

The pickup and trailer load disposal fee at the Citizens Convenience Center will increase from $7.00 to $10.00. Rates for roll-off container rentals, hotshots, tire disposal and dumpster cleaning fees will also increase slightly.

Utility account deposits will increase to cover the increased fees described above.

Rental fees for almost all City facilities have increased, many by as much as 25%. These include the Brownwood Coliseum, Depot, Transportation Museum, Adams Street Community Center, Coliseum Annex, Bennie Houston Recreation Center, Camp Bowie Gymnasium, the various park pavilions, the Aquatic Center and airport hangars and offices. Some service fees have also increased.  Most of these fees have not increased for almost ten years.