BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL TO LOOK AT RAISING WATER & SANITATION RATES, REDUCING TAX RATE

  

Increases in City of Brenham water and sanitation rates, along with a potential decrease in the proposed tax rate, will be considered today (Thursday) by the Brenham City Council.

The council is being presented with a 5.5 percent increase in water rates and an average increase of 13 to 15 percent for residential and commercial sanitation services.

City officials say the higher water rates are necessary because of increased supply costs, particularly for water treatment chemicals.  Fuel prices have driven up chemical costs, while supply chain issues and shortages have raised the cost of water meters, hydrants, pipes and other materials needed to maintain the water distribution system.

Meanwhile, sanitation rates are also set to increase after Brannon Industrial Group (BIG) informed the city that it was dealing with prolonged elevated fuel prices, sharp commodity increases, higher operating costs and larger landfill tipping fees.  These factors led to BIG, also known as BVR Waste and Recycling, proposing rate increases for the first time since entering into a contract with the city in 2020.  Services will not change regarding pick-up day and container size; all billing and correspondence will continue through the city.

The new rates, if they are approved, would take effect October 1^st.

In other business, the council will look to propose a new, reduced tax rate of $0.4737 per $100 valuation, down from the previously proposed rate of $0.4940 per $100, the same rate as last year.  The new rate is a result of the city restarting its tax rate process after discovering an anomaly in the tax rate calculation for a prior year “unused increment” portion of the rate.

The new tax rate consists of a lower maintenance and operations (M&O) rate of $0.3297 and an unchanged interest and sinking (I&S) rate of $0.1440.  It is scheduled for adoption at the council’s meetings on September 12^th and 15^th.

Also today, the council will consider:

• Discussion and updates on the city’s street improvement projects for 2022.
• Payment to the Brenham Heritage Museum for parking lot repairs and improvements.
• A resolution authorizing participation in TxDOT’s Highway Bridge Project related to federal funding of off-system bridge projects, for improvements to the Pecan Street bridge over Hog Branch.
• A ground space lease agreement between the city and BrightStar Aviation Management, LLC for hangar space at the Brenham Municipal Airport.
• An ordinance on its first reading to grant a non-exclusive franchise to Skoot-N-Hauler, LLC to offer a roll-off container service for residents, businesses and industries inside city limits.
• An engagement letter for legal services between the city and Bovey & Cochran, PLLC related to city attorney, general counseling and municipal court prosecution services. With approval, the current rate of $145 per hour would increase to $165 per hour effective with the October 2022 invoice, and $185 per hour effective October 1, 2024.
• An ordinance on its first reading adopting a city public infrastructure design manual.
• Renewal with the Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool for general liability, law enforcement liability, public officials liability, mobile equipment, airport liability, property, auto liability and physical damage, crime and workers’ compensation coverage for the city for Fiscal Year 2022-23.
• Utility competitive matters, including the city’s gas utility system, gas supply and transportation arrangements and agreements, during an executive session.

The council meets today at 1 p.m. at Brenham City Hall.

Click here to view the agenda packet for today's meeting.