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By Eric Horton (Brownfield Mayor)
Tomorrow, Tuesday, April 22nd begins early voting for municipal elecrions. There are two elections that will take place in Terry County, one with candidates and the other a proposition. Wellman-Union CISD will have three At-Large trustee positions available for election. The current incumbents for these positions are Ryan Dill, Aaron Martin, and Ed Rodriguez. All three filed their candidacies. In addition, Shannon Tankersly Wilson and Brooke Brown have also filed to run for the At-Large Trustee positions, making it a contested election.
Although, school board elections are very important and I encourage all who are registered voters in WUCISD to go vote, my main focus is to draw peoples attention to a very important, Proposition Election that will will take place for Brownfield citizens only.
I want to share important information about an upcoming election for the City of Brownfield on May 3rd, 2025. Although there isn’t a contested race, voters need to be aware of a key proposition on the ballot. This proposition concerns the potential change of the Brownfield Industrial Development Corporation (BIDCorp) from a “Type A” economic development corporation (EDC) to a “Type B” EDC. If this proposition passes, it would benefit the City of Brownfield.
BIDCorp has achieved significant success in supporting existing industries and attracting new ones to Brownfield and Terry County. Both BIDCorp and the City of Brownfield agree that now is the right time to expand BIDCorp’s focus to include the retail market, housing development, and green spaces (parks) while continuing to attract industries and manufacturing.
I encourage all citizens to vote and support Proposition A, the only ballot measure for the City of Brownfield.
Some residents may already know about this possible change, but many do not. You might wonder why this change needs to be put to a vote. The reason is that the funding for an EDC comes from sales tax revenue. In Texas, the sales tax is capped at 8.25%. Let’s break it down:
If you spend $100, the State of Texas receives 6.25% of that amount, which is $6.25. But where does the remaining 2% go? Here’s the breakdown:
- 1% goes to the City of Brownfield, which is $1.00.
- 0.50% (half a cent) goes to Terry County.
- The other 0.50% goes to BIDCorp.
Residents should understand the funding mechanisms as they consider the proposition on the ballot. The City of Brownfield City Council has already approved a Type B Economic Development Corporation (EDC), but it remains unfunded unless the citizens of Brownfield vote “yes” on Proposition A in the upcoming municipal elections.
It’s important to emphasize that this measure is completely tax-neutral, meaning that no taxes will increase. Property and income taxes are NOT relevant to EDCs and cannot be used for their funding; all financing comes from sales tax, which the State of Texas has capped at 8.25%. Therefore, if the proposition passes, funding for the current Brownfield Industrial Development Corporation (BIDCorp) will be redirected to the new Type B EDC without an increase in taxes.
What are the advantages of a Type B Economic Development Corporation (EDC)? First, let’s take a brief look at the current Type A EDC that BIDCorp has. The Type A sales tax is allocated for manufacturing and industrial development. Type A EDCs can utilize this revenue to fund various projects, including land acquisition, buildings, equipment, facilities, targeted infrastructure, and improvements specifically for manufacturing and industrial projects.
- manufacturing and industrial facilities, recycling facilities, distribution centers, and small warehouse facilities;
- research and development facilities, regional or national corporate headquarters, job training facilities operated by higher education institutions, job training classes, telephone call centers and career centers;
- infrastructure improvements that promote or develop new or expanded business enterprises;
- aviation facilities;
- commuter or light rail or commuter bus operations;
- port-related facilities, railports, rail switching facilities, marine ports, inland ports;
- maintenance and operating costs associated with projects; and
- contaminated property clean-up.
Again, Type A cannot go beyond these types of projects.
Conversely, the Type B sales tax can be utilized for projects eligible under Type A, as well as for quality of life improvement projects. Type B corporations are permitted to finance land, buildings, equipment, facilities, and targeted infrastructure improvements for:
- sports and athletic facilities, tourism and entertainment facilities, convention facilities and public parks;
- related store, restaurant, concession, parking and transportation facilities;
- related street, water and sewer facilities; and
- affordable housing.
- public safety facilities;
- recycling facilities;
- streets, roads, drainage and related improvements;
- demolition of existing structures;
- general municipally owned improvements; and
- maintenance and operating costs associated with projects.
Type B EDCs may also seek voter approval for water supply, water conservation programs, or the cleanup of contaminated properties.
A breakdown of the difference between Type A & Type B EDCs
- Type A: Limited to industry and manufacturing.
- Type B: Can work with retail, housing, and green spaces, plus still do industry and manufacturing
- Type A: Cannot do any housing
- Type B: Can do housing development
- Type A: Cannot do anything having to do with parks and other green spaces
- Type B: Can do park projects that enhance the quality of life in our area
- Type A: Cannot do anything toward helping with sports complexes
- Type B: Can work with sports complexes that improve the quality of life
- Type A: Cannot do anything to help with existing businesses wishing to upgrade
- Type B: Can help established home-owned businesses/companies upgrade and encourage growth
- Type A: Cannot recruit major retailers to the community
- Type B: Can recruit retailers to the community by offering specific incentive packages
- Type A: Cannot spend BIDCorp money on demolition of existing eyesores
- Type B: Can work to demolish some existing buildings that are deemed beyond repair
The Brownfield City Council and the BIDCorp Board of Directors agree that this proposition needs to pass. As a citizen and as Mayor of Brownfield, I sincerely ask that you consider voting “FOR” on Proposition A. This will strengthen our economy, bolster existing businesses, and add new ones, plus it will help with the quality of life right here in our own backyard.
Early voting for the WUCISD School Board Election and the City of Brownfield Proposition Election is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, April 22, and will continue through Friday, April 25, 2025. Voting hours during this period are from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Additional early voting will take place on Monday, April 28, and Tuesday, April 29, 2025, during the same hours.All early voting will be held at the Terry County Elections Office, located at 507-A W. Main, Brownfield. Election Day is set for Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, also at the Terry County Elections Office.
Wording on Ballot in English and Spanish
“To abolish the Type A economic development sales and use tax levied by the Brownfleld Industrial Development Corporation for the promotion and development of new and expanded business enterprises at the rate of one-half of one percent and, concurrently, adopt a Type B economic development sales and use tax at the rate of one-half of one percent to undertake autorized projects for the purpose of economic development, Including related maintenance and operating costs, as described in Chapters 501 and 505 of the Local Goverment Code. Shall the above Proposition A be adopted?”
(*Para abolir el Impuesto sobre ventas y uso para el desarrollo económico de Tipo A Impuesto por la Corporación de Desarrollo Industrial de Brownfield (Brownfield Industrial Development Corporation) para la promoción y el desarrollo de empresas comerciales nuevas y ampliadas en una tasa de la mitad del uno por ciento y, al mísmo tiempo, adoptar un impuesto sobre ventas y uso para el desarrollo económico de Tipo B en una tasa de la mitad del uno por ciento para emprender proyectos autorizados con fines de desarrollo económico, incluyendo los costos de mantenimiento y operación relacionados, según se describe en los Capítulos 501 y 505 del Código de Gobierno Local (Local Government Code). ¿Se debe aprobar la Propuesta A?)
- For (A Favor)
- Against (En Contra)
