College Station City Council Approves Fee Increases Effective October 1st

In a near unanimous vote, College Station City Council has approved hundreds of fee increases for the fiscal year 2025 set to take effect from October 1.

The College Station City Council has reportedly given the green light to implement a slew of fee increases for various services from October 1. These new changes follow the council’s recent approval of the fiscal year 2025 budget and property tax rate. However, Councilman Bob Yancy abstained from participating in the vote, citing that the decision was too much fiscal information for a single meeting.

Non-Residents to Pay More for Recreational Services

Included in the new fee adjustments is an increase in the parks and recreational fees for non-residents, who previously paid 20% more than residents. These individuals will now have to pay 25% more. It’s important to note that there is no change in the fees for the residents of College Station.

Councilwoman Elizabeth Cunha, who was part of the six-to-zero vote, stated that the city continues to subsidize the parks and recreation fee for non-residents.

Rise in Water Rates and Other Fees

The approved fee adjustments also include a 10% increase in the water rates. Most of the other fees will see a rise by three and a half percent, mirroring the national consumer price index’s increase.

Fee Increases to Take Effect from October

All changes approved by the council will be implemented from October 1, as per the details disclosed in the meeting. The unanimous vote by the council, barring abstention by Councilman Bob Yancy, signals towards a shift in strategy to cope with the financial demands faced by the city.

City of Bryan Gets a New Permanent Police Chief

In another important city development, Dean Swartzlander, the interim chief of Bryan’s police department, has been appointed as the permanent chief. With nearly three decades of service, Swartzlander is scheduled to be officially sworn in on Friday afternoon.

About Dean Swartzlander

A 27-year veteran of the Bryan Police Department, Swartzlander has held various roles starting from his career as a patrol officer in August 1997. Working through multiple assignments and promotions, Swartzlander has been serving as the Interim Chief of Police since June 8, 2024, followed by the retirement of Eric Buske. He has also received several high recognitions, including Officer of the Year in 2000 and the Supervisor of the Year in 2009 and 2011.

Fourth Agreement for Bryan/College Station Sister Cities Organization

The Bryan/College Station Sister Cities organization, committed to facilitating mutual relationships and development exchange, is set to enter its fourth agreement. The organization already has agreements with Bastogne, Belgium, Greifswald, Germany, and Salamanca, Mexico.

Incidents on and Around A&M Campus

The recent weekends saw a surge in incidents on and around the Texas A&M campus. From theft to arrest of intoxicated individuals, the College Station police department has been busy dealing with various incidents. The Police Department urges everyone to remain vigilant and report any suspicious incidents.