BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL TO PROPOSE TAX RATE, VOTE ON INCREASE TO SANITATION RATES
The Brenham City Council will formally propose a new property tax rate and potentially raise sanitation rates when it meets on Thursday.
The tax rate being considered is $0.4750 per $100 valuation, which is higher than the existing tax rate of $0.4676 per $100. The proposed rate would be made up of $0.3330 for maintenance and operations (M&O), which is up $0.0074 from the current 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.
Following Thursday’s proposal, formal adoption of the tax rate would occur during the council’s meetings on September 3rd and September 17th.
(courtesy City of Brenham)
In other business, councilmembers will take up a possible rate increase for sanitation and recycling services through BVR Waste and Recycling. The company is requesting a 5 percent increase that will affect both residential and commercial customers, as well as adjustments for the Collection Station.
An overall 7.9 percent rate hike was approved by the council last year. According to the agenda packet, BVR is asking for the additional increase due to higher fuel costs, landfill disposal fees, insurance, and parts and labor costs.
Also on Thursday, the council will:
- Consider ratifying 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.
- Act on 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.
- Consider renewal with the Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool for the city’s insurance coverage for the 2026-27 Fiscal Year.
- Act upon agreements for medical coverage plans for the plan year beginning October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
- Hold a public hearing and vote on granting a specific use permit to allow an accessory dwelling unit on 0.68 acres of single-family residential property at 1309 Hidden Creek Lane. The item was approved last week by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
- Hear a first and second quarter economic development update.
- Hold 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.
The council will meet Thursday at 1 p.m. at Brenham City Hall.
Click here to view the agenda packet for Thursday's meeting.