Brownfield City Manager Jeff Davis explains the electric rates in the latest City Council meeting on Thursday morning March 7, 2024. After the call to order, invocation, and pledges the Council would hear public comments. There was one person who spoke during the public comment section, his name is Howard Timmons.
Timmons didn’t realize that what he wanted to speak on was not one of the agenda items, however, Mayor Tom Hesse allowed his comments. Timmons said, “I was going to try to comment on an item that’s not on the agenda so… I’ve got a junkyard over there in my community and I would like to see it cleaned up.” Timmons went on to tell the Council you gotta place over on North Ballard between Yucca and Cactus Lane that is just a mess. Come to find out it is zoned for commercial. I would like for it to be cleaned up… I’d buy it if I could. But I guess it’s not for sale. Is there any way you could get this cleaned up.” Timmons went to tell the Council about the the different BISD campuses and facilities that are around the area he was talking about. Timmons finished his comments by saying, “We’ve made no progress… so I’m just gonna dump it in your lap.”
The Council then moved to approve the last meeting minutes and then recognized the Employee-of-the-quarter. Sable Casarez was named Employee-of-the-Quarter.
The Council then went on to hear and consider the quarterly report for the electric department by the Director of Electric Utilities, Cat Gonzalez. According to Gonzalez, the electric department had 26 calls and work orders from October 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023. There were 13 repairs or replace services, four blown fuses, two house fires, two work on pad mount transformer, and there was one each, open breaker, change out cut-outs, blown line fuse, and underground short.
After Gonzalez presented the quarterly reports, Davis presented information on electric rates. There have been several citizens who have expressed concern about their electric bills being higher, and Davis wanted to address that issue. In October 2023, the City changed the way the city utility bill would look like and read. For many years, Brownfield residents would receive a bill on postcard-type paper. The electric portion on the bill was one line and the same with the water. The Council had approved that the city would send out new bills on paper and sent through the mail in regular envelope, plus the residents would receive an itemized bill for transparency.
Davis explained the city had received many complaints about the “high utility bills” that everyone had received From the beginning of raising rates, Davis and the Council’s aim was to be at the “midpoint of the market” which Davis said, “they are at right now.” Davis went on to say that the rate is 12.84 cents per kilowatt hour and that is with both . Davis showed a bill that was close to $1000.00 and on that bill there was a previous balance of that $800.00, and the new charge was was around $200.00. Davis has also heard from citizens that Lyntegar has lower rates, however according to Davis that is not the case. The City of Brownfield does have two meters that are run by Lyntegar and the rates are 15.38 cents a kilowatt hour. Davis also showed the Council the rates from Lubbock because Lubbock went to ERCOT so that there would be competition for the electric rates. The electric rates in Lubbock range from 13.80 cents a kilowatt hour to 15.90 cents per kilowatt hour.
After the explanation from Davis, the Council moved on to hear and consider the quarterly reports for the water and sewer department. Director James Nix filled in some information on the issue of the water restrictions that were put in place for a few day so the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority (CRMWA) could repairing the main trunk line that serves Levelland and Brownfield, which also serves the City of Meadow from Brownfield. Nix stated what was being done and provided information from CRMWA.
According to CRMWA General Manager Drew Satterwhite, he provided an update on the infrastructure given the ongoing fires in the Panhandle. “At this time, we do not expect any interruptions in water deliveries. We are still working to assess damage which is somewhat difficult to road closures throughout the area. The fire moved through the Roberts County Wellfield last night and damaged at least 14 of our power distribution poles. XCEL is providing us with replacement poles that are enroute to the well field and we have a contractor on site ready to make the necessary repairs. Fire also moved through pumping plants 21 and 22, but there is no damage at these sites. All CRMWA structures (well houses, tanks, pump stations) that we have been able to visit are in good shape. We are still working our way through phase 3 of the
wellfield. Power in the well field will be intermittent as we work through power distribution repairs, but our storage is near full which should give ample time to make the repairs without interruption of water service barring any unforeseen issues.”
On Saturday afternoon, March 9, 2024, Davis sent out a press release stating, “The Canadian River Municipal Water Authority (CRMWA) has officially notified City Leaders that all necessary repairs to the main truck line supplying the Cities of Brownfield and Levelland have been successfully completed. As a result, the City of Brownfield is pleased to announce that water conservation measures are no longer required for its water customers. The completion of repairs to the main truck line by CRMWA signifies a critical milestone in ensuring the continued supply of clean water to the residents and businesses of Brownfield and surrounding areas. The dedication and efficiency demonstrated by the maintenance teams involved underscores the importance of proactive infrastructure maintenance and management.”
Davis went on to say, “The City of Brownfield extends its heartfelt gratitude to all citizens for their cooperation and support in conserving water over the past five days. The collective effort displayed by the community during this time of repair highlights the strong sense of responsibility and commitment to sustainable water management practices. Furthermore, extensive testing has confirmed that the water supply meets all safety standards and is now deemed safe for consumption. Residents can rest assured knowing that they can once again rely on a safe and reliable water supply for their daily needs. We are immensely thankful to our community for their understanding and cooperation during this period of repair. Your efforts have played a pivotal role in managing our water resources effectively. We encourage residents to resume their normal water usage patterns, and if there are any concerns or inquiries, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
The next agrenda item was to discuss and consider an Interlocal Governmental Contract for administrative services between the South Plains Association Governments (SPAG) and the City of Brownfield to authorize SPAG to be the Authorized Grant Administrator for the Texas Parks & Wildlife Grant that was given in February 2024. (see related story) This interlocal agreement will amend the original agreement passed during the application phase to now include the administrative fee since we are being awarded the TPWD grant. The administrative fee id $75,000.00. The agreement was passed be the Council.
The next two items of business was to award bids for one job of work and for one capital item. The work item was bids for the installation of an exit door for the municipal court building. According to Municipal Judge David Cox, the municipal court building had only one way in and out out and there needed to be a new door added to the facility incase of an emergency. Only one bid came back and was opened and read aloud on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at 2:00p.m. Davis presented the Council with what the bid was and said, “We received one bid… it was from Vaughn Construction. The bid was over budget by about $5,500. This was one of the projects that really been on our radar… to get an exit out of the back the court and I think we need to move forward with it. The Council approved the expense which is roughly $23,000.00.
The next bid the Council looked at was for a new small bucket truck for the line distribution department for the electric department. The new truck was to be a 42 foot articulate-telescopic aerial lift. The City’s budget for the bucket truck was $115,000.00. Davis said, “We have a $115,000.00 budgeted, and this bid came in at $160,000.00… we don’t have an extra $30,000 for this one, so I’m going to recommend we reject all bids and rebid this project.” The Council moved to reject the bid.
Brownfield Industrial Development Corporation (BIDCorp) Executive Director Gina Kelly was on hand to recommend two new board of directors. Recently, Diana Jarimillo and Randy Anthony stepped down from the BIDCorp Board of Directors, and BIDCorp needed the Council to accept the recommendations of Kelly. Adrian Martinez who owns and operates Triple A Painting and Chuck Nave who owns and operates Chuck’s Automotive were the recommendations from Kelly. The Council voted on the recommendations of Martinez and Nave
Before the meeting was adjourned, the Council approved HOT Funds funding for the Knights of Columbus annual cookoff. The Council meeting is slated for Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 7:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
