During Tuesday morning’s meeting, the Brownwood City Council on second and third/final reading approved the 2023-24 fiscal year budget.

The budget will be for $42,334,148, an increase of 6.89% from the prior year. BrownwoodNews.com previously published a story on the budget highlights, which can be found at the following link here

Council held budget workshops on July 18 and July 20 and the proposed budget was published on July 28. A public hearing on the budget was held on Aug. 29 to receive input from the public.

The 2023-24 budget is also available at the City of Brownwood website, in the City Secretary’s office, and at the Brownwood Public Library.

Also Tuesday, the City Council approved on first reading a tax rate for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

The No-New-Revenue tax rate is $.64092 per $100 valuation. The proposed tax rate is $.66590 per $100 valuation which exceeds the No-New-Revenue tax rate by 3.9%. The proposed tax rate is a reduction from last year of $.02050 or 2.99%. This will increase total tax revenues from properties on the tax roll by 5.35%. The maintenance and operating portion is $0.57860 and the interest and sinking portion is $0.08730 for the total tax rate of $.66590. The City stated this will mark the fourth year for a decrease in the tax rate and the lowest tax rate since 1994.

The Council also approved an ordinance on first reading setting charges, fees, rates, and deposits for customers on the Brownwood water, sewer, and sanitation system for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

The Utility Rate Ordinance sets rates for water, sewer, sanitation, and landfill services. The water consumption rate is being increased $.09 from $2.76 to $2.85 per 100 cubic feet. Outside city limits consumption rate is being increased from $3.58 to $3.76. There is a 5% increase applied to the water base rate, average residential customer would go from $29.50 to $30.98.

There is an 8% increase in the sewer rate from $3.62 to $3.91 per 100 cubic feet. There is a 5% increase on the sanitation rate, average residential customer would go from $23.40 to $24.57.

Landfill gate rate for customers outside the city limits increased from $46 to $49. City of Brownwood residents will receive a discounted rate of $44 at the landfill if proof of residency is provided. A $15 fee has been added for the disposal of commercial mattresses.

A new fee of $35 has been added for meter data collection services provided. A new fee structure has been added for the use of fire hydrant meters.

Commercial brush and debris pick up has been changed to free of charge instead of $150 for customers with a sanitation account that have a nominal load. The fee of $150 will be charged for excessive loads or to those who do not have a sanitation account. The fee structure for the recycling center has been updated to provide more clarification.

The Council also approved an ordinance on first reading setting charges for fees, rentals, licenses, and permits for the City of Brownwood for the fiscal year.

Discussion was held by the City Council regarding a number of fees, including those at the Bert Massey Sports Complex regarding practices for certain baseball and softball teams. Currently the plan is to charge traveling teams to practice while recreational/city league teams can use the facility free of charge. The reasoning, according to the Council, is not because of the money the rates generate but to aid and assist with scheduling and upkeep. Also mentioned was the potential in the future to increase the entry fees for teams competing in weekend tournaments.

There was also talk regarding the rental prices for the Events Center, which is slated to be completed by the end of the 2023 calendar year.

Also, a deposit is currently required for rental of the Bennie Houston Recreational Center due to the fact that no city staff is usually on scene during events held there, but that could be modified prior to the next meeting.

Amendments to the proposed City facility rates will be presented at a future City Council meeting, where the 2023-24 tax rate and Utility Rate Ordinance will also be approved on second and third/final readings.