The Brownwood City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the purchase of a new fire engine for $600,000 on a 7-year capital lease.

Included in the approved fiscal year 2022 Capital Budget was $550,000 for the purchase of a new fire engine. Prior to the budget process the apparatus manufactures had suggested that a new engine could be purchased for the requested budget amount.

Since the budget request was made there have been additional price increases with another expected increase coming in January. The last engine the City purchased was in 2017 for the amount of $507,000.

Using Buy Board Pricing the fire department has requested a quote using a specification very similar to the engine constructed in 2017. The recent quote received came in at $608,000, with a trade in allotment of $15,000 for our 1999 engine, which would bring the total cost to approximately $593,000.

In order to purchase a comparable engine, the department is requesting a budget amendment of $50,000. Since this is on a capital lease, the cost overrun will be spread out over the 7 year term capital lease. The quarterly payment will increase from $21,216 to $23,145.

The total budget impact for this year would be $1,929 since only one payment was budgeted this year.

Brownwood City Manager Emily Crawford, “The budget impact is relatively low, but (the cost) is significantly more than we had anticipated. However, we do know in January the price will go up again, so we need to make a decision and a commitment if we’re going to proceed with his purchase.”

Other action items Tuesday included:

• Accepted a donation from the Durbon Family Foundation, Inc. for Police and Fire first responders and approve the use of the funds. The funds will be split in half between police and fire, according to Crawford.

Police uses for the funds will include purchasing four Automatic Vehicle Locator stations for dispatch. These monitors would enable dispatchers to see the exact location of ambulances and fire vehicles in Brown County. This will improve response times and communication between EMS and Fire. Second, the City desires to purchase shorter, more sturdy antennas for both patrol vehicles and portable radios carried by the officers. Third, the City wishes to replace old shelving and storage equipment in the armory and make small renovations to create a SWAT office. Last, the City would like to continue improvements to our shooting range to include storage, additional cover, and training equipment. Fire

On the fire side, with the retirement of Nika, the Arson Dog, the department was looking for something to get the children of Brownwood interested in fire prevention that was both fun and educational. The Department has recently purchased a used Fire Safety Trailer. This trailer will be used at schools and events to promote fire safety and teach children how to get out of a smoke-filled environment safely. The trailer was purchased knowing it needed some technology upgrades and updating of the exterior. Once the upgrades are complete, this will allow the trailer to be used for many years to come. The receipt of this generous grant will allow the project to be completed and placed into service very quickly.

• Awarded a bid to Fritz Speck & Jimmy King for $17 acre or $1,938.85 annually for the Brownwood Fabis Park Agricultural Lease for 114.05 acres.
• Adopted an ordinance authorizing the issuance and sale of the City of Brownwood, Texas General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2021, and delegating certain matters to City officers to act on its behalf in selling the bonds

The City has an opportunity to refinance the 2012 C.O. to lower the interest rate and save money. This C.O. was originally issued for streets, fire station, soccer fields and other Under current market conditions, the true interest cost on the refunding bonds would be 1.70%. At that rate, we would save $713,939 in interest costs. The present value of those savings would be $634,915.

• Authorized the City Manager to sign an agreement and any subsequent addend urns, amendments, and acceptance of additional funds during the term of the ex1stmg grant contract and the additional funding for activities to enhance epidemiology and laboratory capabilities related to the COVID-19 response.

The contract is effective upon signature and terminates on October 31, 2022, with a budget not to exceed $757,556 and covers expenses pre-award back to September 1, 2021, that are directly related to the COVID-19 outbreak response. The grant is provided through the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) as a pass-through entity representing CDC. The work of the grant includes enhancing laboratory, surveillance, informatics, and other workforce capacity, strengthening laboratory testing, advancing electronic data exchange at public health labs and improving surveillance and reporting of electronic health data, and the utilization of laboratory data to enhance investigation, response, and prevention

• Authorized the Mayor to execute an agreement with The Knight Law Firm, LLP for Ward redistricting due to the 2020 Census

Based on the results of the 2020 Census, the City of Brownwood population went from 19,288 to 18,189. As required by law, the City must assess the changes and redistrict the wards if necessary. The Knight Law Firm will make an initial assessment of the City’s existing single member Council districts based on the 2020 Census and determine whether changes in the total population and population shifts within the community will require the City to redistrict. They will provide a letter of opinion whether redistricting is required and the facts supporting their opinion. If redistricting is not required, the fee is $3,000 and no further work will be done. If redistricting is required, the fee for full redistricting services is $19,000, which includes the initial assessment

• Ratified the Brownwood Municipal Development District Board action to approve a Building Improvement Incentive Program (BHP) grant to Lucille & Mabel’s, LLC not to exceed $20,000 for a property located at 114 Center Avenue.
• No action was taken in regards approving a resolution joining with the State of Texas as a party to the Texas Opioid Settlement Agreements secured by the Texas Attorney General and authorizing the City Manager to sign settlement participation forms. The item will likely appear again on a future agenda.