CITY COUNCIL APPROVES TAX PHASE-IN FOR DOWNTOWN BUSINESS

Mark Whitehead December 7, 2017

Brenham City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance establishing tax phase-in for a downtown property. Moser Community Media is seeking a tax phase-in for their property located at 101 East Main Street. The company has purchased the old Bode and Tonn building and is remodeling it for their offices. Moser Community Media operates 33 newspapers in Texas and their headquarters is currently located in the Atrium building in Brenham. President Jim Moser said they will have 9 employees working in the building and plan on remodeling it to look more like the original building did.

In other action, the council voted to keep the same requirements for granting a tax phase-in inside the city limits. They also adopted the design guidelines for the Brenham Downtown Historic District Incentive Grant Program. The program provides grants to building owners downtown who make improvements to their buildings that meet the historical guidelines.

Council also made several budget amendments to the 2016-2017 budget. The amendments adjust to the actual income and expenses and allow the budget to be closed out.

They also approved the sale of $3.8 million in Certificates of Obligation for projects in this year’s budget. The certificates were sold at an interest rate 2.7 percent. They also voted to change the city’s Group Term Life Insurance coverage to Dearborn National. Dearborn offered the city a guaranteed rate for 3 years.

Council members also approved the recommended appointments to the various City Advisory Boards. There are still openings on several of the boards and persons interested in serving are asked to fill out an application.