The Brownwood City Council on Tuesday adopted a resolution directing publication and posting of notice of intention to issue certificates of obligation in the amount not to exceed $18,000,000 in regard to the Downtown Master Plan.

City Manager Emily Crawford explained, “The City Council began the Downtown Master Plan process in 2022 and that was a long term plan funded through ARPA funds which was a federal grant, so that is when this process began. Since then the Council adopted the plan in 2024 and instructed staff to take the appropriate measures to move forward in seeing what our first projects would be. Those projects were identified as new streets for Baker and Fisk, which include new sidewalks, underground utilities, as well as landscaping and lighting. In addition there are two green spaces, or park spaces, one located on Fisk and one located at the silos in the Event Center Complex. Today, Council took the first step in approving a resolution with an intent to issue Certificates of Obligation in a maximum amount of $18 million for those four projects.”

Crawford further stated the Certificates of Obligation will have no bearing on the tax rate.

“The City was forecasting this potential project as early as two years ago and there will be no increase in the tax rate to fund these Certificates of Obligation,” Crawford said. “It has been part of our budgeting plan for the last two years, so we are prepared as a City to issue these COs without increasing the tax rate.”

Prior to voting, Council member Draco Miller Jr. said, “This is something that many citizens, groups, organizations, businesses downtown and not downtown, had the opportunity to see, comment, give feedback, and it is my understanding there was a large majority that was in favor of this project.”

Council member Ed McMillian added, “Over the years there wasn’t a whole lot done with the City of Brownwood. Some of the older residents weren’t interested in it. But look at the Event Center, look at downtown, look at Riverside Park. There are people moving back here to live. We’re making improvements to the City of Brownwood so there is something for people to do. This money is investment not only an investment in the City of Brownwood, but our young people. I think it’s our job as Council to invest in our community.”