WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS TO DISCUSS PARTICIPATION IN SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM, CONSIDER SUBLEASE AGREEMENT WITH MIKE HOPKINS DISTRIBUTING

  

Washington County Commissioners on Tuesday will discuss the City of Brenham’s spay/neuter program and the possibility of the county contributing to the program.

According to the agenda packet for the meeting, Brenham Animal Services staff has received numerous inquiries from county residents about them being able to participate in the Spay and Neuter Assistance Program, which is currently limited to city residents. 

During the budget process for the 2024 Fiscal Year, the Brenham City Council approved $10,000 for Brenham Animal Services to partner with Animal Friends of Washington County to provide low-cost spays and neuters for City of Brenham pets.  Tuesday’s discussion will allow for the county to consider participating in the program at the same level as the city at $10,000 per year, but no action is slated to be taken. 

Also at the meeting, commissioners will act on a sublease agreement between the county and Mike Hopkins Distributing Company.  According to County Judge John Durrenberger, the company is agreeing to sublease 0.209 acres of land adjacent to the county’s EMS station at 1875 Highway 290 West. 

The land, which would be rented by the county at the sum of $1 per year, is planned to accommodate a helipad.  Durrenberger said the county is very grateful to the Hopkins family for its generosity in offering the land. 

In other business, the court will consider recommendations for hotel occupancy tax (HOT) grant funding disbursements for the fall. 

HOT funds are presented twice a year to local tourism organizations in support of their operations or promotion of special events.  The funding amounts are determined by the county’s HOT fund committee.  In December, commissioners approved the allocation of $16,900 in funding requests from five organizations for the spring 2025 cycle. 

Additionally, commissioners will consider:

• Using $52,500 in courthouse security funds for the purchase of Metrasens Ultra Silver security screening equipment and accessories.
• Advertising for competitive sealed proposals for the Washington County records storage facility from a general contractor.  If approved, bids will be due on July 24^th at 10 a.m. in the county clerk’s office and opened that morning on the commissioners court chambers. 
• Adopting a resolution to designate authorized signatories for the Community Development Block Grant Mitigation Program through the General Land Office.  In related items, the court will adopt a resolution regarding civil rights polices and proclaim the month of April as Fair Housing Month as it pertains to the grant.
• A subdivision variance request for a land division fronting Artesian Park Lane, consisting of 22.132 acres in Precinct 4.
• The Engineering and Development Services Department’s quarterly report.

Commissioners will meet Tuesday at 9 a.m. at the Washington County Courthouse.  They will gather again on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Washington County Expo Sales Facility for strategic planning training.