Brazos County Commission Meeting Highlights: Community Engagement

News Summary

On December 10th, Brazos County held a lively commission meeting led by County Judge Duane Peters, discussing pressing local issues. Key topics included delaying Emergency Services District reappointments until new commissioner Bentley Nettles takes office, a burglary incident in College Station, and the College Station ISD’s calendar survey for the 2025-2026 school year. The meeting also touched on cemetery policy updates and the upcoming elections, with Bentley Nettles running unopposed for Precinct 1 commissioner. Early voting is set to begin on October 21, fueling community involvement in local governance.

Brazos County Commission Meeting Highlights: An Eventful Gathering

In the heart of Brazos County, a lively meeting unfolded on December 10th, tackling important community issues and exciting developments. With County Judge Duane Peters at the helm, there was no shortage of engaging discussions, including a hot topic involving the Emergency Services District (ESD) board.

Emergency Services District Reappointments on Hold

First up on the agenda, Commissioner Steve Aldrich was instructed to hold off on two reappointments to the ESD until after the arrival of Bentley Nettles, who is set to take office shortly. This sparked conversations on whether these appointments should wait until the new commissioner has settled in. Aldrich indicated that Nettles had no qualms about the reappointments during a private meeting. However, it was a bit of a setback when Aldrich couldn’t garner a second for his motion. The discussions didn’t end there; Aldrich also raised concerns about the ESD reappointments for precinct three, where Commissioner Nancy Berry is also stepping down. A helpful reminder for everyone—most of ESD precinct three falls under the jurisdiction of commission precinct two.

College Station Police Respond to Burglary Incident

In a more intense development, College Station police sprang into action when a family alerted them to a suspicious presence in their home just after 4:20 AM on December 26. The officers quickly responded to a burglar who turned out to be 34-year-old Alphonso Turner. He didn’t go down without a fight, resisting arrest and refusing to share his identity. The police did recover a stolen gun at the scene, culminating in multiple charges for Turner, including burglary of a habitation and evading arrest.

This incident raised eyebrows in the community, especially since Turner found himself back in jail with bonds totaling a staggering $135,000. His legal troubles didn’t stop there; Turner has a history that includes awaiting trial for felony evading arrest and previous convictions for home burglaries and armed robbery. It has many residents wondering about safety and the need for vigilance in the area.

College Station ISD Kicks Off Calendar Survey

Meanwhile, switching gears to education, the College Station Independent School District (CSISD) is inviting everyone—parents, teachers, staff, and community members—to weigh in on the annual calendar survey for the 2025-2026 school year. The deadline to cast your vote is January 3rd, so don’t miss out on the chance to make your voice heard. The survey provides participants with two options and a space for comments, making it a great opportunity to impact next year’s scheduling.

Director of instruction Jeff Mann highlighted that feedback gathered thus far is being taken into consideration, alongside input from the district’s Education Improvement Council. Once everyone has had their say and responses are collected, these will be reviewed by various administrators before being put forward to the school board for a final decision. Things are moving fast as they aim to meet state-mandated instructional minute requirements while juggling community requests for school calendar dates.

Cemetery Policies and Upcoming Elections

In other community news, the Bryan city council recently adopted a new operational policy for the cemetery’s columbarium, a place that has begun accepting cremated remains over the past year. The council unanimously agreed on specifications for faceplates, ensuring both veterans and the public sections are treated with respect and dignity.

As election season heats up, all eyes are on Bentley Nettles, who is running unopposed for Precinct 1 commissioner after defeating Aldrich in the Republican primary. The race for Precinct 3 commissioner is tighter, with former State Representative Fred Brown challenging former Bryan City Council member Mike Southerland. There’s already a buzz about campaign goals, with Brown criticizing the county’s tax increases despite ample reserve funds and Southerland focusing on transparency and spending.

Don’t forget, early voting is set to kick off on October 21. Be sure to mark your calendar!

Brazos County continues to be a hub of activity as community members engage and participate in shaping the future of their neighborhoods. Stay tuned for the next meeting and interesting updates.