Council weighs demographic study to improve grant eligibility; no action taken

Councilmembers discussed whether Brookshire should commission a new demographic study to replace ZIP code‑level measures that may make the city appear wealthier because the ZIP code extends beyond city limits (for example, Jordan Ranch). Mayor Pro Tim Green said he raised the item after learning the school district had lost eligibility for some funding due to ZIP code demographics. "The reason why I wanted this on the agenda is because the city ... lost qualifying for certain funding because of the the demographics in our zip code," he said. Staff and council discussed alternatives including using census block groups or block‑level data and sharing the cost with the school district, which recently completed or is conducting its own study.

Staff recommended first checking existing regional resources (HGAC) and the school district's current study to see whether the city could obtain usable data without commissioning a separate contract; if needed the city could then hire a provider to compile and analyze block‑level data for grant applications. Council asked staff to explore these options and report back; no procurement or study contract was approved at this meeting.