During Tuesday morning’s meeting, the Brownwood City Council unanimously approved the purchase of a new fire engine for the amount of $949,576 from SMJ Equipment, LLC located in Spring, Texas.

At the Jan. 23 meeting, the City Council approved the Fire Department to begin the process of specifying and purchasing a new fire engine. A committee was established to research different apparatus companies and develop fire engine specifications. This committee consisted of three fire shift personnel, one mechanic from fleet services, the Assistant Fire Chief, and the Fire Chief. The committee reviewed three different fire apparatus manufactures and because of price and uniformity elected to stay with the same company that built the engine that was received in 2022.

The Fire Engine that was specified is almost identical to the last engine purchased. To protect the City because of the extended delivery time – an estimated 550 days from the signing of the contract – and purchasing the engine before the 2024-25 fiscal year budget is approved, SMJ Fire Equipment inserted the following language “Should the City Budget not pass by September 2024, the contract shall be considered null and void.”

The total amount requested was $949,756which includes a $2,500 contingency in case any changes are needed at the pre-construction meeting. The first payments for this purchase would begin in the fourth quarter of 2024-25 fiscal year.

Also Tuesday, the City Council approved a park improvement project at Allcorn Park for up to $225,000 and ratified BMDD’s participation in the project, not to exceed $125,000.

More information about the project can be found in the most recent BMDD report here.

The City Council also approved a bid awarding the AWOS (Automated Weather Observing System) replacement contract to Mesotech international of Rancho Cordova, California at a cost of $130,095, to be funded out of reserves.

City staff solicited quotes to replace the AWOS System at the airport and the City Council previously authorized the funding of the project with City reserves, which will be reimbursed up to 90%. Based on the bids, the City’s responsibility will be approximately $13,009.50. The City will reimburse reserves from the airport’s unused dedicated ramp grant budget. The reason the awarding amount is less than the total bid is that staff recommended declining an add alternate for a freeze sensor which totaled $24,911.

City Council also authorized the installation of a new bulk fuel tank pad at the service center by Mobley Construction at a cost of $26,000, utilizing 2020 Tax Note funds. The fuel tank pad is to be in place for the new fuel tanks that will be installed by the end of the fiscal year. City staff solicited for quotes and received two, with the low bid coming from Mobley Construction.

Passed on the consent agenda Tuesday was as ordinance on second and third/final reading approving the 2024 Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan.

The audit report for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023 was also presented to the Council.

Following a 40-minute Executive Session, the City Council authorized City Manager Emily Crawford to work with the Greenleaf Cemetery Association Board and identify a professional management firm or consultant to make recommendations on best practices for helping to restore Greenleaf Cemetery back to operational self-sufficiency.