Clute joins Freeport and Lake Jackson in backing 15‑year Brazosport industrial agreement

The Clute City Council on Aug. 28 unanimously approved a joint resolution supporting negotiations for a new Brazosport Industrial Partnership contract with Freeport, Lake Jackson and participating industries.

The existing industrial partnership agreement, first signed in 1973 and updated periodically, provides payments in lieu of taxes from industry members in exchange for commitments by the cities not to annex industrial plant sites. The current agreement is set to expire Dec. 1, 2026; the joint resolution directs Clute officials to seek the longest term allowed under state law to promote predictability for both cities and industry.

Staff said the partnership generated about $2.6 million in revenue to Clute last year under the current apportionment scheme. Under the existing framework, the parties use appraisals and a CPI‑based adjustment to compute payments; the resolution asks that the next agreement preserve the historical structure while seeking the maximum term permitted by state law.

Councilmembers and staff described the action as a unified stance intended to begin negotiations early, give industry certainty for long‑range planning and protect municipal revenue streams. Staff noted that the three cities had jointly drafted the resolution and expected the other municipalities to adopt similar measures at upcoming meetings.

The council voted to adopt the resolution without amendment. Council members who voted in favor were Calvin Triplett, Jeff Chris, Eric Aguilar, Nicole Maddox, Joe Lopez and Francis Vaughn. The motion passed unanimously.