Brazos County Commissioners Approve Budget and Property Tax Rate Increase Despite Dissent

Brazos County Budget and Property Tax Changes: What You Need to Know

In a lively meeting on September 10, 2024, the Brazos County commissioners came together to discuss and approve the fiscal year 2025 budget, as well as adjustments to the property tax rate. Following comments from six public speakers, it was clear there was a mix of opinions in the community.

Out of the six speakers, five were largely in favor of the commissioners’ 4-1 vote to increase the tax rate by one cent. County Judge Duane Peters, who proposed the budget, highlighted that while the tax rate is increasing, the overall budget taps into a significant $90 million in savings. Most of this amount, about $75 million, will be directed towards capital projects, with an additional $15 million set aside for maintenance and operations.

However, not all the commissioners were on board. Steve Aldrich cast the only dissenting vote, indicating a clear divide on the board regarding fiscal priorities. Judge Peters did warn that the next fiscal year, 2026, could also see a tax rate increase due to ongoing financial demands. The discussions sparked a good deal of community interest, reflected during the public comments where residents expressed their views. To dive deeper into the community’s reactions, recordings from the meeting are available for those interested.

Bryan City Council Takes Steps on Eminent Domain

Meanwhile, in Bryan, the city council convened on the same day, September 10, 2024, to tackle a matter related to land acquisition for a street extension. This unanimous decision comes without public discussion and paves the way for extending Groesbeck Street past the railroad tracks to connect with Texas.

City officials revealed that the owner of a piece of land, approximately one-third of an acre located at Texas and 32nd, is asking for a hefty $500,000. The city last offered $350,000, but an appraisal conducted by a contractor appointed by the city placed the land’s value at around $290,000. Faced with the possibility of a judge setting a higher price, the council opted to agree with the staff recommendation to raise their offer to $400,000, while also budgeting $50,000 for potential legal expenses. Additionally, the council learned about $130,000 in unpaid liens on the property that would be deducted from the sale proceeds.

Continued Support for Bryan School District

The Bryan city council’s relationship with the local school district remains strong. School board members expressed gratitude for the council’s ongoing financial pledges during their joint committee meeting on September 9, 2024. Board member Ruthie Waller acknowledged the council’s recent decision to cover the entire $200,000 for school crossing guards, in addition to contributing to one-fourth of the costs for school resource officers in middle and high schools, amounting to $372,000.

Brazos Valley Groundwater District Faces Tough Decisions

Looking ahead, a significant meeting for the Brazos Valley Groundwater District is scheduled for Thursday, September 12, 2024. The meeting will address two contentious applications regarding water exportation. In one corner, Texas A&M is opposing a proposal from a group seeking to extract water from Robertson County for distribution to nearby counties, including Travis, Williamson, Bell, and Milam.

Conversely, the group wanting to export water has raised objections to Texas A&M’s efforts to drill a well on the RELLIS campus. The director of the RELLIS campus, Kelly Templin, noted the staggering implications: these exporters aim to pump nearly as much water as is consumed by Texas A&M and the neighboring cities of Bryan and College Station combined. The upcoming meeting at the district office in downtown Hearne promises to shed light on the concerns each side has over the impact of their respective proposals on the underground water aquifer.

Get Involved and Stay Informed

Residents in Brazos County and Bryan are encouraged to stay engaged with these developments, as they touch upon vital aspects of community funding, land acquisition, and resources. Be sure to follow local updates to keep track of these important issues that affect everyone’s daily lives.