CITY WON’T SEEK UTILITY INCREASE

  

The Brenham City Council says they won’t seek a utility rate increase, but could see a slight jump in the city’s tax rate in the proposed 2017-18 budget.

An increase of a half-cent in the tax rate is being proposed, which would generate nearly $65,000, which would be used to fund repairs to flood damage.

FEMA would pay up to 75-percent of the costs to repair the damage, which would be reimbursed to the city after the project has been completed and paid for.

City council members held the first of three budget workshop sessions this (Wednesday) morning, as they work on a spending plan expected to be around $65-million.

No increase in the utility rate is being proposed, but there has been discussion of a five-year phase-in of incremental increases in the electrical department and possible increases in transfer/collection station rates.

Electric rates have not been increases in nearly 15 years.

The proposed budget also includes $2.5 million in capital improvements and equipment, which includes $294,000 in improvements to Henderson Park and $150,000 for a new “linear” park in the area of First, Park and Church streets.

The City Council will continue budget workshops, Thursday and Friday at 8:30 each morning.