Unanimous approval was given to the Brownwood City Manager to partner with Brown County, the Brownwood Chamber of Commerce and the Brownwood Economic Development Corporation and enter into an agreement with former State Representative Bob Turner for Rural Issues Consultation services during the current Texas Legislative session.

Turner will act as the “eyes and ears” for the area in case something is proposed in Austin that would have a negative impact on the Brownwood area.  This would better enable local officials to take action to help protect local interests and jobs.

Robert Porter made the request for the City of Brownwood to join the effort on behalf of the Legislative Affairs Committee of the Brownwood Chamber.  Other members of the committee present were Laura Terhune and former Mayor Bert Massey.

The cost to hire Turner as a consultant is $5000 per month for the four month session, for a total of $20,000.  Brown County, The Chamber of Commerce and the BEDC have agreed to fund $5,000 each.

“Bob Turner is very committed to our area,” stated Mayor Stephen Haynes.  “We are fortunate to have so many state offices, which is a great blessing which is also a burden that we have to work to keep them.”

With the budget deficit being so large, it is expected that some jobs will be cut; however this effort is to keep as many local state jobs as possible.

It was agreed that the City would fund a $5,000 portion of the cost and that the amount is available in the accounts contingency fund.

Other items covered in Tuesday’s city council meeting:

-Brownwood Independent School District’s Community Relations Coordinator Emily Crawford presented a photo slideshow to the city council from this past weekend’s Operation Clean Sweep co-sponsored by the City of Brownwood.

-The city approved on first reading to change zoning classification for 700-704 Home Street from MH (Mobile Home District) to M-1 (Restricted Industrial District) after a public hearing.  The city will look to approve the ordinance on second and third reading at their next meeting.

-The city council accepted the city audit for the last fiscal year ending September 30, 2010.  Auditor Tony Krischke told the council that he found no findings, control issues, or questions during the audit.

-The city council approved two resolutions related to a street naming policy and an honorary street naming policy.  Both policies will require applications that will ask reasons for renaming, contact person and their responsibilities of action and fees, beginning and end points of renaming, and limitations of length of names, to name a few.

-The city council approved a resolution suspending the February 14, 2011 effective date of Oncor Electric Delivery Company’s requested rate change.  This suspension will allow the council to do additional research and allow time to negotiate.

-Sunni Holloway, Tourism Manager for the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce presented the Convention and Visitors Bureau Report.  Although hotel occupancy was still down by 1.7% this quarter, the previous quarter showed 3.4% decline, indicating that tourism is slowly improving.  Another positive item in the report was that Brown County is now officially included in the Hill Country Region of Texas in state publications, lists and websites.  Previously Brown County was listed as Panhandle Plains.  With this change, it is felt that tourism revenue and business related to tourism will increase.