BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL APPROVES HIGHER TRASH, RECYCLING RATES; PROPOSES PROPERTY TAX RATE

Josh Blaschke August 6, 2026

Public Works Director Dane Rau presents the Brenham
City Council on Thursday with a request from Brannon
Industrial Group - BVR Waste and Recycling to raise
sanitation and recycling rates.

The Brenham City Council moved unanimously today (Thursday) to authorize an increase in rates for sanitation and recycling services through Brannon Industrial Group - BVR Waste and Recycling.

The 5 percent increase, which stacks with a 7.9 percent rate hike approved last year, will affect both residential and commercial customers. It also impacts rates at the Collection Station.

City of Brenham Public Works Director Dane Rau said BVR requested the increase due to higher fuel costs, landfill disposal fees, insurance, and parts and labor costs. He said the city is still able to remain competitive with service providers in nearby areas.

The second reading for the higher rates will be performed at the next council meeting, and the rates are expected to go into effect in October. Customers are also being notified on their bills.

Mayor Atwood Kenjura said “you hate to have increases, but they are what they are”. He commended BVR on its service to the city, saying the company has done a great job.

Information included in the agenda packet for Thursday's Brenham City Council meeting, breaking down new proposed sanitation rates and how they compare to area cities.

Also at today’s meeting, the council formally proposed a new property tax rate of $0.4750 per $100 valuation, which is more than the current tax rate of $0.4676 per $100.

The proposed rate is made up of $0.3330 for maintenance and operations (M&O), which is up $0.0074 from the existing M&O rate, and an unchanged interest and sinking (I&S) rate of $0.1420.

The calculated no-new-revenue rate is $0.4669, while the voter approval rate is $0.5108.

With the new tax rate, the total tax levy on all properties would go up by $284,309, or 2.33 percent. The tax on the average homestead would increase by $25.08, or 1.87 percent.

Formal adoption of the proposed tax rate will occur during the council’s meetings on September 3^rd and September 17^th.

A memo in the agenda packet for Thursday's Brenham City Council meeting shows the proposed tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year, the current adopted tax rate, and the breakdown of the associated tax impact.
(courtesy City of Brenham)

In other business, the council:

Ratified the purchase of street materials and labor to Brazos Paving, Inc. in the amount of $145,538 for street work services performed on East Alamo Street. The work is being paid for with 2025 bond proceeds dedicated to street reconstruction.
Approved an amendment to the city’s professional services agreement with Strand Associates, Inc. for 2025-26 Fiscal Year on-call engineering services, adding an additional $35,000 to cover increased service demands.
Renewed the city’s insurance coverage through the Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool for the 2026-27 Fiscal Year.
Approved medical coverage plan agreements for the plan year beginning October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
Granted a specific use permit to allow an accessory dwelling unit on 0.68 acres of single-family residential property at 1309 Hidden Creek Lane.
Received a first and second quarter economic development update.
Held executive session discussion to consult with the city attorney regarding the Brenham Municipal Airport and to discuss the appointment, employment, evaluation and duties of the new city manager. No action was scheduled to be taken.

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