Brownsville commission approves FY26 budget and related measures, selects CMAR for public-safety complex; other ordinances passed

Brownsville's City Commission took multiple formal actions Aug. 19, including final approval of the city's fiscal year 2026 budget, a roll-call vote to ratify higher property-tax revenue tied to rising appraisals, selection of a construction manager at risk for the public-safety complex, and a number of zoning, annexation and board-appointment votes.

Budget and taxes City finance staff presented the end-of-year FY2025 budget amendment and the FY2026 proposed budget during the meeting. Finance Director Steven Hughes and staff described surplus sales-tax receipts and fee revenues that allowed onetime allocations, transfers to enterprise funds, and funding for operating needs. The commission voted to approve the FY2025 end-of-year amendment and then approved the FY2026 annual budget in its first reading and final vote.

The city also held the statutorily required separate votes on property-tax matters. The commission voted to ratify that the 2025 property-tax levy would raise more total property-tax revenue than the previous year (a statutory step triggered by higher appraisals). Commissioners then considered the tax-rate motion; after debate a motion to maintain the prior tax rate (0.603504) passed by roll call.

Public-safety complex procurement On a separate action the commission selected Noble Texas Builders as the construction manager at risk (CMAR) for the Brownsville public-safety complex (RFQ/RFP process described by procurement staff). Procurement staff recommended an initial contract phase covering preconstruction, general conditions and CMAR fee, totaling $5,034,677, and sought authority to negotiate amendments up to a project threshold of $80 million; the commission approved the selection and authorized staff to finalize contract terms and subsequent CMAR-related change orders within the stated threshold.

Land use and development votes The commission took multiple land-use votes and procedural actions included in the meeting record: - Annexation: Approved first-reading annexation of a 5-acre tract on J. Clive Drive (Cavazos Road area) following a public hearing. - Rezoning approvals: The commission approved several rezoning ordinances on first/final reading to permit developments including a multifamily project on Southmost Boulevard and single-family and duplex rezonings at specified locations; one rezoning (item 12, Dennett Road area) was tabled for follow-up and community outreach.

Boards and budgets The commission adopted the BCIC and GBIC budgets for FY2026 after presentations by those organizations and approved several board and advisory-committee appointments, including members to the Board of Adjustment and the Animal Regulation and Care Advisory Committee.

Other formal actions Other recorded motions included: approval of consent-agenda items (with several items pulled for separate consideration), approval of revised minutes, and authorization for the city manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with the Ferguson Group (federal advocacy) following an executive-session briefing. A letter of intent with the United Soccer League (USL) was also approved after executive session.

Why it matters: The FY2026 budget and the tax-related ratification determine the city's spending and revenue baseline for operating services and capital projects. Approving a CMAR for the public-safety complex moves design into procurement and construction planning; zoning and annexation votes shape where development and infrastructure will be built.