Brownwood City Council approved the Meet and Confer Agreement between the City of Brownwood and the Brownwood Professional Firefighters Association (BPFFA) during Tuesday’s meeting of the council.

According to officials, this agreement is for a one-year term, October 1, 2016-September 30, 2017, and includes changes regarding raises in base salary and other pay for firefighters of 2.46%, drivers 5% , lieutenants 3%, captains 1% and assistant fire chief 1%; certification pay for EMT intermediates increased to $100 per month; residency requirements for first responders (30 mile distance from city limits); and maintaining certifications for firefighters who have obtained an EMT intermediate certification as paid for by the city.

The City of Brownwood is also in the process of negotiating with the Brownwood Municipal Police Association to come to an agreement on a Meet and Confer agreement for the city’s law enforcement officers.  It is hoped that an agreement will soon be reached, City Manager Emily Crawford stated until a new agreement is reached, that the city and BMPA will operate under the current contract.

In other matters on Tuesday’s agenda:

*A public hearing on the proposal to increase total tax revenues from properties on the tax roll by 5.4% by adopting the proposed tax rate of $0.7463 per $100 valuation.  This maintains the current tax rate, with no increase in the rate itself.  Council is set to adopt the increase in tax revenues during first reading at the September 20, 2016 meeting and then on second, third and final readings at their September 27, 2016 meeting.

*Council voted unanimously for Mayor Haynes to continue serving as a member of the TML MultiState Intergovernment Employee Benefits Pool of Region 6.

*Council approved repairs of up to $12,000 on the air conditioning system in the Brownwood Coliseum, authorizing the funds to come from reserves with a budget amendment at the end of the fiscal year.  These repairs were considered after comparing the replacement cost of approximately $124,000 to purchase a replacement unit.  Four local companies were contacted for proposals and only two submitted bids.  The bid was awarded to 1Source for the amount not to exceed $12,000 for the repairs.

*Council authorized Mayor Haynes to sign the Senior Nutrition Program Contractor Funding Contract for 2016/2017 Congregate Meals and Home Delivery Meals with West Central Texas Area Agency on Aging.

*City officials remind the public that September is Emergency Preparedness Month, stating that Governor Abbott had signed a proclamation designating September as Emergency Preparedness Month in the state of Texas.  Citizens are encouraged to sign up for Code Red alerts, to practice emergency plans and to have emergency supplies ready.