BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER RAISING GAS, WASTEWATER RATES
Increases to City of Brenham gas and wastewater service rates will be considered by the Brenham City Council on Thursday.
Councilmembers will vote on adopting rate hikes of 14 percent for gas and 4.8 percent for wastewater, across rate classes.
The rate increases are recommended based off of studies performed through NewGen Strategies and Solutions to determine whether the current rates are sufficient to cover costs, support infrastructure improvements and continue providing reliable services.
Click here to view the breakdown of proposed rate increases for gas rates.
Click here to view the breakdown of proposed rate increases for wastewater rates.
In other business on Thursday, councilmembers will act on payment of $110,633 to Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative to install electrical service for the Brenham Family Park, which is located within Bluebonnet’s service territory. The city says a temporary electrical service will be extended from the existing infrastructure on the adjacent property to the east until permanent service is extended down South Chappell Hill Street as part of the city’s Small Area Plan mixed-use development.
Additionally, the council will vote on accepting a grant from the State of Texas Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority for the Fiscal Year 2027 Catalytic Convertor Theft Prevention Grant Program. The grant of $81,666 requires $16,334 in matching funds, which can be paid from the police department’s asset forfeiture funds.
The department was been working with BRINC on implementing the Drone as a First Responder platform. It is also in preliminary discussions with Axon Enterprise, Inc. regarding the possible deployment of Automated License Plate Reader cameras, though no final vendor agreement has been reached.
Also on Thursday, the council will:
• Act on the purchase of material for the lake line intake repair project from Ferguson Waterworks, including 18-inch pipe and tapping sleeves, in the amount of $87,119. The city says the materials are required for the temporary lake line bypass located at the city’s lake intake.
• Consider a change order and final payment to JTM Construction, LLC for the Fiscal Year 2024 water main and sanitary sewer replacement projects, in the amount of $426,340, using 2024 bond proceeds.
• Receive a work session update from the Streets Department.
• Hold executive session discussion on multiple topics, including consultation with the city attorney regarding Dustyn Banik, Alma Sanchez and Gerran Banik v. City of Brenham, Civil Action No. 4:25-cv-2487, United States District Court, Southern District of Texas, Houston Division; legal issues related to a potential agreement with the owner of a current development project; and discussion concerning the appointment, employment, evaluation and duties of the new city manager.
The council will meet Thursday at 1 p.m. at Brenham City Hall.
Click here to view the agenda packet for Thursday's meeting.