The Brownfield City Council held its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday morning, June 19, 2025. The agenda included discussions on city finances, quarterly reports, and various other issues. After calling the meeting to order, the council proceeded with the invocation, the pledges to the flags, and public comments (of which there were none). They then moved on to approve the minutes from the previous meeting before continuing with the remainder of the agenda.
Items #3 and #4 were scheduled to cover the financial and investment reports for May 2025. According to the City Charter, the Director of Finance (who is also the City Manager) must provide the City Council with a monthly statement detailing all receipts and disbursements, clearly reflecting the City’s financial condition. Additionally, the City of Brownfield’s Investment Policy requires the Director of Finance to prepare and present a quarterly investment report to the City Council, which outlines the returns from the investment program. These reports must comply with Section 2256.023 of the Public Funds Investment Act at a minimum.
City Manager Jeff Davis presented to the Council an overview of the city’s revenues and expenditures. As of the end of May 2025, expenditures totaled $14,168,550.72, which is approximately 66.7% of the adopted budget of $21,431,598.00. With four months remaining in the current fiscal budget, Davis then shared the investment report, noting that the city generated just over $17,000 in interest. Additionally, the city is over-collateralized by 56%. The Council approved both the monthly finance and investment reports.
The Council then proceeded to item #5, which involved considering a resolution from the city council expressing strong support for the South Plains Community Action Association (SPCAA). The resolution acknowledged SPCAA’s significant impact in Brownfield and Terry County and opposed potential federal budget cuts that threaten its vital services. Since there were no representatives from SPCAA present, the Council decided to table this item, and no action was taken.
The Council next heard from Javier Duran, the Streets and Sanitation Supervisor, who presented his quarterly reports. According to Duran, the Street Department has been addressing potholes and mowing areas around town that the city owns. He mentioned that there will not be a seal coat project in the city this summer. On the sanitation side, Duran reported that they continue to collect larger trash items from the alleys. Additionally, he noted that the new trash compactor for the landfill has arrived and is currently in use. The Council approved the reports..
Item #8 on the agenda was to discuss and consider funding from the Hotel Occupancy Tax Funds (HOT Funds) for advertising through FOX 34 Communications’ program “Our Town.” It was noted that all advertising funded by Hotel/Motel Tax Funds requires City Council approval, and a minimum of 1/7th of the HOT Funds must be allocated for advertising purposes. FOX 34 requested $5,000 and proposed spotlighting five items to promote the community. The Council engaged in an extensive discussion about the value of the $5,000 investment. Councilman Davis mentioned that the City had already designated the required 1/7th for advertising, suggesting that this funding request would exceed the mandated amount. Councilman Tom Hesses expressed uncertainty, stating, “I’m not sure how much this brings in.” In response, Councilman Marshall Martell asked, “Have they provided any supplemental data to show us?” Mayor Eric Horton replied, “No.”Ultimately, the Council decided not to approve the $5,000 funding request for FOX 34.
The Council proceeded to item #9, where representatives from Terry County Youth Sports were scheduled to provide an update to the City Council regarding the operations and usage of the Brownfield Sports Complex, including the soccer fields and multi-use fields. Their presentation was expected to cover current usage statistics, programming details, participation levels, field maintenance, and recent improvements made to the facilities. Additionally, the City Council intended to review existing agreements and contracts, along with relevant financial information, such as revenues, expenditures, and funding support related to these facilities. However, no representatives showed up for the meeting, and Mayor Horton decided that no action would be taken on this item.
The final item on the agenda was for the Council to decide whether to approve a “Type 3 Special Event Application” submitted by the Brownfield Fireworks Committee for the Fourth of July Celebration, scheduled for July 3, 2025, at Coleman Park. A Type 3 Special Event Application allows for the use and consumption of alcohol on city property. On May 11, 2022, the Parks and Recreation Board convened and determined that all requirements had been met, subsequently recommending the application for council approval. According to the City of Brownfield Code of Ordinances Article 15.1500 regarding “Type 3 Special Events,” once the Parks Board confirms that the applicant has fulfilled all conditions, the City Council must consider the application at a regular meeting and can either approve it with conditions or deny it.The Type 3 Special Event Application was ultimately approved by the Council with a vote of 5-2. Mayor Eric Horton and Councilman Ray McFarland opposed the application, while Mayor Pro Tem JC Tejerina and Councilmen Tom Hesse, Marshall Martell, Lee Gamez, and Paul Vasquez voted in favor.
There were no executive items of business and the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting is slated for July 3, 2025 at 7:30 am in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
