Bryan City Council completes second reading of charter amendment to dissolve Board of Public Affairs

At its Sept. 15 meeting, the Bryan City Council concluded the second reading of an ordinance that would place a charter amendment on the ballot to dissolve the elected Board of Public Affairs and bring Bryan Municipal Utilities under the direction and supervision of the mayor and city council.

The measure was presented to the council as ordinance number 43 20 25; the council completed a second reading but did not vote to adopt the amendment or to remove it from the ballot during the meeting. The item will next appear under the city’s charter amendment process for voter consideration if the council does not act to block placement on the ballot at a future reading.

Members of the public who identified themselves as current members and chair of the Board of Public Affairs urged the council to reject the charter change and to leave municipal utilities under a separate, elected board. “If this board is to be dissolved, we risk conflict of interest between the city priorities and utility operations,” said the speaker who identified themself as chair of the Board of Public Affairs. Karen Ford, a BMU board member since 2014, told the council, “I am here to ask the council to vote no on the passage of the ordinance to eliminate the Board of Public Affairs.”

Resident Steve Cox said he would oppose the change and asked how much placing the measure on the ballot would cost. “I will vote no,” Cox said, and pressed for a figure on election costs. A council member replied that exact election quotes were not yet available but that placing a measure on a gubernatorial ballot would cost the city less than running a special election.

Other public commenters raised turnout concerns. “I can’t emphasize enough the responsibility that you have and do not allow 10% of the people to decide a major fundamental change in city government,” said Bob Iyer, a resident who noted historically low turnout for municipal votes and referenced an upcoming May 5 election date.

Council discussion at the meeting was limited to completing the second reading; a council member asked whether any changes had been made to the ordinance since the first reading and was told none had been added beyond the earlier amendments discussed at the first reading. The council moved on with the agenda after the second reading concluded; there was no formal vote at this meeting to adopt the amendment or to remove it from the ballot.

Background: speakers at the meeting described the Board of Public Affairs and Bryan Municipal Utilities as separate entities under the city charter. Public commenters argued the board provides independent oversight intended to protect utility rates and operations from political influence. The cost to place a charter amendment on the ballot was discussed but not specified during the meeting.

Looking ahead: unless the council votes at a later reading to prevent the measure from appearing on a ballot, the charter amendment would be decided by voters according to the city’s charter amendment procedures.