City of College Station Blog

 By Colin Killian, Public Communications Director

Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council meeting on Thursday, Aug. 28. It’s not the official minutes.

The meeting starts after 6 p.m. and is streamed live on Optimum Channel 19 and cstx.gov/cstv19. You can participate online through Microsoft Teams by entering Meeting ID 287 987 474 175 and Passcode gZw5cS. You can also call 469-480-7460 and enter Conference Number 168 564 318#. 

6:05 p.m.

The meeting has started. The Council took no action after its executive session.

6:14 p.m.

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Mayor John Nichols joined Brazos County Judge Kyle Kacal and Bryan Mayor Bobby Gutierrez in proclaiming September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and declaring September 15 as Spirit Day for “Color Brazos Valley Gold.”

The regional awareness initiative unites communities across the Brazos Valley to increase awareness, support research, and encourage action to improve the lives of those affected by pediatric cancers.

6:15 p.m.

Hear Visitors

No one spoke during Hear Visitors, where citizens may address the Council on any item not on the posted agenda.

6:24 p.m.

Consent Agenda

The Council unanimously approved the entire consent agenda:

• Authorized the expenditure of FY 26 funds for items exempt from competitive bidding as described in Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 252.022, and other expenditures for interlocal contracts or fees mandated by state law that are greater than $100,000.
• A $246,929 contract with McDonald Municipal & Industrial for construction services for the Public Works Fleet Services Building Emergency Generator, plus the City’s contingency of $24,693, for a total appropriation of $271,622.
• The $416,032.43 purchase of replacement SCADA network devices from the Personal Computer Store.
• A construction manager at risk contract with RAVA Construction for the Public Works Facility Project. The City has appropriated $5 million for the project.
• The renaming of Fields 5 and 6 at Brian Bachmann Community Park as the Bill Whitehead Senior League Fields. The fields are sized for older age groups based on Little League standards, distinguishing them from the smaller Little League fields (fields 1-4) designed for younger players.
• The Texas Settlement Subdivision Participation and Release Form for the Purdue and Sackler opioid settlement agreement, and the Texas Settlement Subdivision Participation and Release Forms for the opioid settlement agreements with Alvogen, Amneal, Apotex, Hikma, Indivior, Mylan, Sun, and Zydus.
• Amended school operational times and added additional locations.

7:50 p.m.

Rec Center Feasibility Study Phase 2

The Council directed staff to bring back more complete information before it would consider putting a Recreation Center on a future bond election.

The second phase of the Recreation Center Feasibility Study covered building program development, operations assessment, a cost pro forma, and the engagement of a steering committee. Phase one included a market analysis and needs assessment.

In October 2023, the Council approved a contract with Brinkley, Sargent, Wiginton Architects, and BerryDunn for a two-phased evaluation of a potential recreation center in College Station. Phase one was presented to the Council in August 2024 and February 2025 and included findings related to a market analysis and needs assessment, including results of a statistically valid survey and extensive public engagement.

8:18 p.m.

Destination Wayfinding Signs

The Council discussed the existing conditions of destination wayfinding signage around the community and potential options.

In 2008, the Bryan-College Station Convention and Visitors Bureau launched a destination wayfinding initiative to enhance signage throughout Brazos County. A dedicated committee was formed to oversee a comprehensive study on optimal locations and design standards. By 2012, new signage was installed across the community, including key pedestrian and vehicular corridors in Northgate and Downtown Bryan.

The original contract included a five-year maintenance agreement, which expired in 2018. Since then, the signs have experienced noticeable deterioration, with issues related to accuracy, visibility, and durability.

The Tourism Committee reviewed the item on July 30 and expressed support for continued discussions regarding the update of wayfinding signage throughout the community. A new signage program would provide opportunities to refresh the branded signage with district and neighborhood identities, cultural and historical layering, and the addition of pedestrian signage. Benefits would be enhancing the visitor experience, strengthening brand identity, improving accessibility and flow, encouraging exploration, and promoting safety.

Additional Options include the removal of all wayfinding/directional signage or repairing the existing signs with a maintenance plan and budget. The next step would be to create a joint committee.

8:18 p.m.

The council is taking short break.

8:27 p.m.

The meeting has resumed.

8:36 p.m.

Tax Rate Public Hearing

The Council conducted a public hearing on the City’s advertised property tax rate of $0.511872 per $100 valuation. One person spoke in the public hearing against raising the rate to the proposed level.

The Council will consider adopting the rate later this evening.

The advertised rate would generate about $73.5 million in tax revenue and represents a decrease from the FY 25 rate of .513086. Property tax revenues fund the City’s general debt service as well as a portion of the operations and maintenance costs in the General Fund.

The notice of the public hearing was placed in The Eagle, posted on the City’s website, and broadcast on the City’s cable television channel.

8:48 p.m.

FY 26 Budget Adoption

The Council unanimously adopted the City’s $474.2 million budget for FY 26. The operation and maintenance portion of the budget totals $390.1 million, with $84.1 million allocated for capital projects. The presented budget includes no changes from the net FY 26 budget proposal presented on July 7.  

The Council also unanimously ratified the property tax revenue increase reflected in the budget. The proposed tax rate, as included in the budget, is expected to generate additional property tax revenues of about $4.9 million more than last year.

The budget reflects the City’s plans for continuing to deliver high-quality public services, especially in public safety, while investing in vital infrastructure and addressing community needs. About 50% of the City’s general fund budget goes to Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services.

Compared to FY 25, the operating budget increases by 6.26% while the capital budget decreases by 51.74%. The total net budget decreases by 12.42%.

In support of operational efficiency, City departments identified about $600,000 in cost savings during the planning process – $200,000 from contractual savings and $400,000 from department-led efforts.

The Council received the proposed budget on July 7, conducted a budget workshop on July 16, and held a Special Meeting on August 12. The Council also conducted a public hearing on the proposed budget on July 24.

9:23 p.m.

Tax Rate Adoption

The Council voted 6-1 to adopt a property tax rate of $0.511872 per $100 valuation. Councilman Bob Yancy voted against the motion.

The tax rate has two components – one for operations and maintenance ($0.309204) and one for debt service ($0.202668). The rate will generate about $73.5 million in tax revenue and represents a decrease from the FY 25 rate of .513086.

9:41 p.m.

Fees, Rates, and Charges

The Council unanimously adopted FY 26 fees, rates, and charges for City programs and services and eliminated the reconnection fee ($25) for residential utility customers.

The resolution includes no rate increases for electric, water, or wastewater, as well as a slight decrease in the Transmission Delivery Adjustment fee and a minor adjustment to the solar credit for electricity.

The resolution includes a 3.0% increase for fees tied to the Consumer Price Index–All Urban Consumers (CPI-U). Fees tied to the CPI-U include planning, drainage, and roadway maintenance. It also includes a 5% increase for Solid Waste from the CPI-U to CPI-Water/Sewer/Trash. Certain solid waste fees are proposed to increase by an additional 5.0%.

The impact of increases on the average utility bill for a single-family home will be $2.97 at the proposed rates.

Additionally, Tourism revised the deposit for the use of the 1207 event space, and Parks changed summer camp fees from per session to per week.

9:44 p.m.

401-411 Stasney Street Easement

After a public hearing, the Council unanimously abandoned a 0.114-acre portion of a 7.5-foot-wide utility easement between Stasney Street and Tauber Street. The applicant plans to build a mid-rise structure, and the proposed layout requires relocating the easement and existing utilities.

9:46 p.m.

311 Stasney Street Easement

After a public hearing, the Council unanimously abandoned a 0.077-acre portion of a 7.5-foot-wide utility easement between Stasney Street and Tauber Street. The applicant plans to build a high-rise structure, and the proposed layout requires relocating the easement and existing utilities.

9:54 p.m.

Mayor Nichols adjourned the meeting after the Council discussed its calendar, items of community interest, committee and board reports, and future agenda items.

The Mayor also expressed condolences to the family of Lou Hodges on his passing. Hodges was a longtime A&M professor who served the on various City committees through the years.

The Council’s next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 11.

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