The City of Brownfield City Council met Thursday morning, May 22, 2025. After the call to order, the invocation and pledges, Mayor Eric Horton moved the agenda item #1, which is public comments, to after item #3. The Council then took up item #2 which was to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Those minutes were approved. Next City Secretary Kelly Buris would administer the oath of office to District 4 incumbent, Marshall Martell and newly appointed to District 5, Ray McFarland.
Mayor Horton then moved to item #1 to hear public comments, which there were two. The first one was from Brit Shaw, who is the Captain of the Brownfield Fire & Rescue Dept.
Shaw expressed her concerns by saying, “I want to start with this… I have spoken with one council member, and the city manager has mentioned a meeting to discuss out concerns. I hope this could lead to positive outcomes. With that being said, I feel like this is another attempt at appeasing everyone for a while. Everything will be swept under the rug until the next issue rises. This feels like another Band-Aid is being placed but eventually the multitude of Band-Aids will fail and unfortunately, I feel like that’s happening now. Shaw wen on to say We feel like we are being taken advantage of. How much should we as employees give before we break? How much would you take? As mentioned last meeting holiday pay for all 11 days is approximately $1800 per year per employee. If the city cannot support us in the small things how can we believe you will be there to support us in the big things?
Next was Jerry Worley who is also employed by the Brownfield Fire & Rescue Dept.
Worley expressed his concerns about other issues. He said, “I’m not here today to speak to you about the holiday pay, I feel my co-workers have already done a great job at explaining our frustrations on this topic. I’m here today to speak about the newest line item on my check stub. The line item is titled tax bin. What is this and why am I paying this now? It turns out that I’m being taxed on my uniform that I’m required to wear. I was taxed $144.00. It is my understanding that since we were able to wear the uniforms when we were off duty the uniforms are considered a benefit.. Ive been employed with the city for 14 year and was not given a warning that this was going to happen. Questions are, what changed and did I get a tax break from October to January when we told not to order anymore uniforms because there wasn’t money in the budget for the uniforms?”
Worley also mentioned that the roof at the fire station is leaking, and the heating and air conditioning have not been fixed for several months. Worley also presented an invoice to the City of Brownfield to pay back his cell phone bill and other personal items that he used while on duty.
The next three items on the agenda were to appoint citizens to various boards for the City of Brownfield. The first board to be addressed is the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA), which serves as a quasi-judicial body that hears and decides on appeals, variances, and special exceptions to zoning regulations as outlined in the City’s Code of Ordinances. The city was seeking to fill two regular member positions and three alternate member positions to ensure quorum requirements and the overall functionality of the board. The Council approved Richard Vadervlist and Brad Dingus for the ZBA.
The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) is in need of two appointed members. The P&Z is responsible for reviewing and making recommendations to the City Council on matters related to zoning, land use, and development within the City of Brownfield. This includes zoning changes, plat approvals, and updates to the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The Council has approved the appointment of Jimmy Garza and Mike Slaughter to the P&Z board.
The Council unanimously approved the appointment of Mayor Pro-Tem JC Tijerina as the City of Brownfield’s official representative to the Terry County Cemetery Association (TCCA). This association is tasked with overseeing the operations, maintenance, and policy recommendations for cemeteries located throughout Terry County. By ensuring adherence to established guidelines and best practices, the TCCA plays a vital role in preserving the historical integrity and fostering respectful management of the cemetery grounds. Their work contributes to maintaining a dignified environment for families and communities to honor their loved ones across the county..
Next the Council heard fro the City Manager Jeff Davis on the monthly financial and investment reports. Davis showed the Council that the City’s expenses are three percent higher than the revenue. In others words, the city has expended 62% and has had a revenue of 58%. Also according to Davis, the city has $7 million total in all bank accounts, plus the pension is at 156%, or over collateralized by 56%.
The Council then heard from Israel Limon, the City Inspector on his quarterly report. According to Limon, there were 33 permits granted from January 1 to March 31, 2025. The majority of those permits issued were for roofs, which there were nine. Also there were 73 total permits issued for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing. 28 permits issued for electrical, five for mechanical, and 40 for plumbing.
The Council next heard from Parks and Recreation Director Gilbert Vasquez, who provided a comprehensive quarterly report on the department’s activities and progress. Vasquez noted that his team has effectively applied pre-emergent treatments to all local parks, aiming to prevent weed growth and ensure a healthier environment for park visitors. He shared that a new flagpole has been successfully installed at Hamilton Park, adding a prominent feature to the community space. The construction of the new pickleball court in Coleman Park is still underway, with plans to complete the project in the coming months to cater to the growing interest in this popular sport.Vasquez highlighted the success of the Terry County Youth Sports baseball and softball league, which concluded its season with positive feedback from participants and families alike, showcasing a strong sense of community and youth engagement.The Brownfield Family Aquatic Center is scheduled to open its doors to the public on May 27, 2025, with new facilities aimed at providing a safe and enjoyable swimming environment for families during the summer months. In addition to these updates, the department has also opened the public restrooms in several parks, ensuring that visitors have access to essential facilities. The maintenance team continues to carry out daily tasks, including mowing, weed-eating, and edging, to keep the parks well-groomed and inviting for all community members and guests.
The Council proceeded to the next item on the agenda: the discussion and consideration of Ordinance No. 2160 of the City of Brownfield. This ordinance amends Article 12.500 of the Code of Ordinances by introducing Article 12.504, titled “Exhibition of Acceleration Prohibited.” Ordinance No. 2160 aims to address and prohibit dangerous acceleration practices by motor vehicle drivers. This includes behaviors such as rapid acceleration that results in tire squealing, engine revving, fishtailing, or any other reckless displays of speed or power that pose a risk to public safety or create a nuisance within the city. The City has received numerous complaints regarding reckless driving—particularly in residential areas and near public facilities—which raises safety concerns for pedestrians, other drivers, and property. This ordinance empowers law enforcement to take action against these unsafe behaviors before they lead to more serious violations or accidents. The Council approved and adopted the ordinance.
The Council approved an interlocal agreement between the City of Brownfield and Terry County. According to the State of Texas, and in accordance with Texas Local Government Code Chapter 242, cities and counties must enter into a written agreement that designates which entity will regulate subdivision platting within the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). The proposed agreement aims to eliminate duplication of regulations, streamline development processes, and ensure consistent enforcement of subdivision standards within the ETJ. It clearly outlines the responsibilities for plat review, approval authority, infrastructure requirements, and the administrative coordination between both entities.
The Council has approved funding for the Municipal Court to train a peace officer as a bailiff. The training will cost $400, and this amount will be covered by funds returned to municipalities from citations by the State of Texas.
The final item on the agenda was to approve a resolution for the City of Brownfield, which is preparing to launch the “Beautify Brownfield” Campaign from June 7 to June 21, 2025. This initiative aims to foster community pride, enhance neighborhood beautification, and improve the overall appearance of the city through volunteer projects, clean-up events, and partnerships with local organizations and residents. The proposed resolution formally expresses the City Council’s support for the campaign, encourages citizen engagement, and authorizes the use of City resources—such as staff assistance, equipment, and public communications—to support the campaign’s efforts.
The Council entered executive session, and no actions were taken. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 7:30 AM in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
