TAX RATE, ELECTRIC RATE CHANGES HEAD BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL AGENDA

  

The second hearing for Brenham’s newly proposed tax rate leads a packed agenda for Brenham City Councilmembers Thursday.

The public will have another chance to offer comment on the proposed rate of 51.4 cents per $100 valuation. No one from the public came forward at the first hearing last month.

While the tax rate is lower than last year’s rate of 51.7 cents per $100, many Brenham homeowners are expecting higher taxes due to higher property values.

Also on Thursday’s agenda, the council will discuss potential raises to the city’s electric rates. The city is proposing an increase to the monthly customer charge and consumption-based wire charge.

Assistant City Manager of Public Utilities Lowell Ogle said, according to the city’s latest staff study, that current electric rates do not generate enough revenue to cover distribution costs. He said, under the current rate structure, the city is projecting an average deficit in the electric fund of $400,000 per year.

Using July’s energy pass-through charge, a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours a month would see a 2.9 percent increase in their bill, or $2.58. The city’s proposed monthly rates per 1,000 kilowatt-hour would sit at $91.38, above the current $88.80.  Ogle said the city’s electric rates will still remain “highly competitive” after the increase, as—in June 2019—the average municipal owned electric monthly rate for residential was $101.07 per 1,000 kilowatt-hours.

The city’s last electricity rate change was in 2013 for small and large industrial customers, and 2003 for all other customer classes. The proposed new rates are effective with utility billing occurring on or after January 1, 2020.

Also in session, the council will hold public hearing and possible action on the first reading of Brenham’s 2019 Comprehensive Plan, entitled “Historic Past, Bold Future: Plan 2040”. It will also hold work session and potentially act on the Visit Brenham/Washington County Tourism Strategic Action Plan, and updates to the Parks and Recreation section of city ordinance.  In addition, it will issue second reading of an ordinance amending the Vehicle for Hire section of city ordinance.

The council will also consider:

• Public hearing and possible action to repeal city ordinance that established non-metal façade requirements on residential uses in select zoning districts.
• An ordinance on its first reading amending city ordinance to adopt the 2015 version of the International Building Codes with local amendments.
• A contract for the second and third phases of improvements at Henderson Park.
• Appointments to serve on the Brenham Community Projects Fund, Inc. Board of Directors.
• Approval of the Routine Airport Maintenance Program (RAMP) grant agreement with TxDOT for Fiscal Year 2020.
• Extension of a contract between the city and Ron Stegemoller dba RS Aircraft Service for mechanic services at the Brenham Municipal Airport.

The council will also meet in executive session to seek legal counsel regarding Brenham Municipal Court matters and associated issues, including but limited to the presiding municipal court judge. In addition, it will potentially act on a resolution authorizing representation in a matter involving the Texas Municipal League Multistate Employee Benefits Pool and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

The council will meet Thursday afternoon at 1 p.m., at City Hall.

Click here to view the packet for Thursday's meeting.