At Tuesday’s meeting of the Board of Directors of the Brown County Water Improvement District, approval was given to a new budget for 2026/2027.  The total of the new budget will be $4,901,500, an increase of 3.96% over the current budget.  The water rate for treated water will be $2.2528 per thousand gallons, up 2.97% from the current rate.  The price for untreated water ($1.1533 per thousand gallons) and commercial water ($1.0547) will not change.

Water District General Manager John Allen explained that the treated water rate is calculated based on the most recent five-year average of water sales, which changes from year-to-year.  So far this year the high amount of rain received in Brown County has reduced the amount of water purchased from the District, which could affect the rate adopted next year.

The new budget also includes a cost-of-living adjustment to employee salaries.  Also two additional employees are included in the budget, one for the water treatment plant and one for the Lake Patrol.  The 2026/2027 budget goes into effect on September 1, 2026.

In other action:

*** The Board voted to sell one-half of a jetty at Lake Brownwood, adjacent to Wild Duck Marina, to Rickey Brooks for $5000.00.  The sale is contingent upon Mr. Brooks being able to purchase the other half of the jetty from a private party.

*** The Board voted to award the lease for Flat Rock Park to James Stovall.  Mr. Stovall holds the current lease through September 30.  The new lease will take effect on October 1, 2026.

*** General Manager Allen reported that the elevation of Lake Brownwood is currently 1,421.87 feet, 3.1 feet below full, and 84.9% of capacity.  Last month the lake was at 81.9% capacity.  The statewide average of lake capacities is 76.5%