During Tuesday morning’s meeting, the Brownwood City Council heard a presentation from Brownwood/Brown County Health Department Administrator Lisa Dick regarding a potential move of the Health Department to 305 Booker Street on the TSTC campus, using City and County American Recovery Play funds for the renovation.

The City Council designated $400,000 in ARPA funds for the Health Department when they adopted the ARPA Plan on March 22, 2022. Since then, staff has been pursuing options to expand and/or relocate the Health Department currently located at 510 E. Lee Street.

The existing Health Department building, and property is jointly owned by Brown County and the City of Brownwood. The demand for public health services has increased dramatically, and the current facility does not adequately serve the needs of residents and the services they are seeking. This year alone, the department has provided 29,400 services.

At the current location, there is no room to accommodate expansion, additional staff, or much needed additional health services. The building is currently in much need of repair, and required HVAC, plumbing, and roof work this year. Other repairs will need to be done soon, including replacement of windows and doors.

While no formal detailed plan has been approved, several options have been reviewed. Plans have included looking into the DeVita Clinic, the former MC Bank, the current Accel Health location, and the Keepsakes building next door to the Health Department. These all have a high purchase/lease cost and require remodeling/outfitting. The most reasonably priced and timely option we have is to renovate a vacant TSTC classroom building.

There have been initial conversations with TSTC, which is willing to consider a no-cost lease in exchange for improvements. The TSTC location would allow for onsite storage of Public Health Preparedness and other supplies currently stored offsite.

The Health Department is asking the County to match the $400,000 of ARPA funds allocated by the City for the purpose of relocating the Health Department.

Once there is a commitment from the County for ARPA funds, lease negotiations with TSTC for the property will begin.

The property was given to TSTC by the city many years ago, and it has not been in use for several years. Moving the Health Department would resolve our space challenges and ensure the building is used for a public benefit.

Once a lease is drafted, the matter will be brought back to the City, County, and TSTC for approval.