The Brownfield City Council met briefly on Thursday, March 27, 2025, to discuss a small agenda. After calling the meeting to order and reciting the invocation and pledges, the Council moved on to public comments, but there were none. They then approved the minutes from the March 6, 2025, meeting.
The next two items on the agenda were to review the financial reports and the investment report for February 2025. According to the City Charter, the Director of Finance (City Manager) is required to submit a monthly statement of all receipts and disbursements with enough detail to clearly outline the City’s financial condition. Additionally, in accordance with the City of Brownfield’s Investment Policy, the Director of Finance (City Manager) must prepare and present a quarterly investment report to the City Council, detailing the returns from the investment program. These reports must comply with Section 2256.023 of the Public Funds Investment Act at a minimum. However, the Brownfield City Council has opted to receive the investment report on a monthly basis instead of quarterly.
According to City Manager Jeff Davis, as of February 28, 2025, the city has spent $9,707,024.54 of the total budget of $22,348,743.00, which represents 43.43% of the budget. The fiscal year for the City of Brownfield began on October 1, 2024, and will end on September 30, 2025.
The city has generated $8,899,206.45 in revenue but has spent $807,818.09 more than it has received. However, Davis indicates that this situation is expected to change, with an increase in revenue anticipated during March, April, and throughout the summer months.
The investment report indicates that the city had a total of $4,814,590.87 in the bank at the end of February 2025. Additionally, the city accrued $20,538.14 in interest for February 2025. It’s worth noting that the city is currently overpledged in deposits by 57%. The City Council approved the finance and investment report as presented.
The next items on the agenda involve a quarterly update from the Streets and Sanitation Department. Director Javier Duran reported that the cutout at the intersection of D and Grace Streets has been patched. This area was settling due to improper soil compaction, which occurred when contractors laid the school’s water line. The Water Department reopened the trench and properly repacked the dirt.
Water leaks cause additional cutouts around town, and the department has consistently patched potholes as well. The street sweeper has been in operation whenever weather conditions allow. However, when temperatures drop below freezing, it is not feasible to use the sweeper, as the water required for sweeping can freeze and damage the equipment.
Next, Duran presented the sanitation report. According to Duran, they are continuing the alley cleanup efforts, addressing sections as needed, and responding to work orders. Durans said, “We are committed to maintaining the alleys effectively.” The landfill is operating normally, and garbage collection services are ongoing. The city received the new garbage truck in the last week of January, and it was put into service by the first week of February. The Council approved the reports.
Next, the Council moved to approve an application resolution for the “City of Brownfield 2025 Texas Community Development Block Grant Program, Rural Economic Development – Downtown Revitalization Program.” This resolution is necessary for the application process that the City of Brownfield will submit to the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). This application seeks funding through the Downtown Revitalization Program. The City of Brownfield is committed to selecting an eligible project within designated downtown areas that aligns with the National Program Objective, which aims to eliminate slum and blighted conditions or to benefit low- to moderate-income individuals.
If the City of Brownfield is awarded this grant, all funds will be utilized in compliance with applicable federal, state, local, and programmatic requirements. This includes, but is not limited to, procurement, environmental review, labor standards, real property acquisition, and civil rights obligations. The grant could provide up to $1 million, and the City of Brownfield will contribute $50,000 in matching funds toward the activities outlined in the application. The specific use of these funds and their sources will be determined before any grant funding is awarded.
List of needs and actions if the grant is awarded
| Community Need | Action to Address Need |
| Sidewalks are deteriorated and unsafe | Replace sidewalks in multiple locations |
| Businesses in the downtown area are not accessible due to differences in door frame heights and lack of curb cuts | Install ADA-compliant ramps and level sidewalks |
| Businesses in the downtown area are not accessible due to differences in door frame heights and a lack of curb cuts | Install streetlights on north-south roads in the downtown area |
| Streets in the downtown area are deteriorated | Reconstruct roads in the downtown area |
Poor drainage leads to flooding and deteriorating infrastructure | Install curb and gutter to direct stormwater away from buildings and infrastructure |
The Knights of Columbus (KC) were discussed in the next two agenda items. They submitted an application for a “Type 3” event permit to hold their annual Great American Cookoff on June 6-7, 2025, at Coleman Park. The KC’s also submitted an application for Hotel Occupancy Tax funding (HOT funds) for the Great American Cookoff. The permit and application was approved, and the KC’s will be awarded $1,500 from HOT funds and will receive another $1,500 after the event.
The Council held a brief executive session; however, no action was taken, and the meeting was subsequently adjourned. Present at the meeting were Mayor Eric Horton, Mayor Pro-Tem Leon Pope, District 3 Councilman Lee Gamez, District 5 Councilman Mark Williams, and At-Large Councilman Jimmy Garza. Councilmembers Paul Vasquez, Mary Valdonado, and Marshall Martell were absent. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 7:30 AM in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
