WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS APPROVE TAX PHASE-IN AGREEMENT FOR DOWNTOWN PROPERTY

  

Washington County Commissioners unanimously agreed today (Tuesday) to adopt a tax phase-in agreement for the owners of a downtown Brenham property preparing to undergo renovations.

The agreement is with Michael Wortley and Allison Wortley of Brenham Main Street Holdings, who owns the building that houses the Moorman Tate law firm at 207/209 East Main Street.  The Brenham City Council approved the city’s piece of the property tax phase-in agreement at its meeting last week. 

The property owners’ plan is to completely refurbish the second floor of the building and modernize the space with updates to electrical, HVAC and lighting, while keeping the building’s historical character.  They will then move the law firm upstairs and lease the first floor to a new tenant. 

During a public hearing for the creation of a reinvestment zone needed for the tax phase-in, a question was presented about the nature of how the tax phase-in works and the benefits received.  Brenham Washington County Economic Development Director Teresa Rosales said the agreements are granted based on various factors, including capital improvements, the supported number of employees or encouraging revitalizing and maintaining a historic downtown.  Katie Burch of PlanNorth, the architect for the project, said this includes life safety enhancements and structural improvements and called it a collaborative effort to keep the Moorman Tate law firm downtown.

Commissioner Candice Bullock said the county has had conversations with the city about incentivizing development in downtown, as the cost of modernizing buildings to meet modern code was beyond what some developers were willing to pay.  County Judge John Durrenberger said tax abatements serve as investments and believes this is “a pretty good investment for downtown and for the community.”

The project’s total capital investment is estimated at $2 million.  Per the tax phase-in calculation included in the meeting’s agenda packet, the estimated total of taxes abated over the eight-year agreement is $97,082, including $53,306 for the city’s portion of taxes and $43,776 for the county’s portion.  No school district taxes or Blinn College taxes will be abated. 

In other business on Tuesday, commissioners:

• Authorized the purchase of website hosting and subscription services from CivicPlus.  Information Technology Director TJ Harris said the county has not upgraded its website in at least eight years, and this should provide “substantial enhancements” like A.I. capabilities and better searching functions, as well as easier navigation for users.
• Authorized the Engineering and Development Services Department to seek bids for reinforced concrete box culverts.  Bids will be due on January 29^th at 10 a.m. and will be voted on by commissioners on February 3^rd at 9 a.m. 
• Approved a subdivision variance request for a land division fronting Griffin Loesch Lane, consisting of 9.12 acres in Precinct 3.
• Approved an order to abandon/vacate a portion of Malinowski Lane and to convey property to adjoining landowners as grantees.
• Approved the extension of the temporary human resources administrative assistant position through June 20, 2026.

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