200+ Houston Firefighters to Lose Jobs

Bryan City Council Approves Starting A “Scofflaw” Program To Collect Millions In Unpaid Municipal Court Fines

The Bryan city council adopts without public discussion at their August regular meeting, hiring an outside company that will prevent motor vehicle owners from renewing their registration online until municipal court traffic fines are paid. An explanation of the “scofflaw” program was presented during a June 18th council workshop by the administrator of Bryan’s municipal court. Click HERE to read and download presentation materials from the June 18, 2024 Bryan city council workshop meeting. Click HERE to read and download background information from the August 13, 2024 Bryan city council meeting. Click HERE to read and download the contract that was approved at the August 13, 2024 Bryan city council meeting. Click HERE to read and download the memorandum of understanding that was approved at the August 13, 2024 Bryan city council meeting. Chad Eixmann this is targeted to more than 10,000 people who have been issued warrants for failing to pay more than $5 million dollars in fines. Eixmann said the scofflaw program, which has the support of the city’s new municipal court presiding judge, permits their contractor to flag vehicles through the Texas department of motor vehicles. Eixmann also said tax assessor-collectors have the option of blocking renewals, but he said they prefer doing the renewals. The city’s contractor does not charge the city or vehicle owner. There is not a scofflaw program in College Station. A statement sent to WTAW News by College Station municipal judge Ed Spillane says “We have considered it through the years, but under the law, the county tax assessor “may” hold the registration. Up to this time, the county assessor had decided not to participate and put a hold on registering vehicles, so we did not spend money on the scofflaw program. We do participate in the omnibase program, which puts a hold on defendants who do not pay or show up to court from renewing their driver’s license upon expiration until they have taken care of their cases.” The city of Bryan also blocks drivers license renewals for unpaid municipal court fines. Click below to hear comments from the June 18, 2024 Bryan city council workshop meeting. Listen to “Bryan city council approves starting a "scofflaw" program to collect millions in unpaid municipal court fines” on Spreaker.

Brazos County Commissioners Discuss And Take Action On Road Projects

Brazos County commissioners formally approve during Tuesday’s meeting (August 20), the county’s financial contribution towards the future construction of an interchange at Wellborn Road and George Bush Drive. There were no comments before or after the unanimous approval of the $15 million dollar advance funding agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation. The agreement says the state will be responsible for cost overruns. Click HERE to read and download the TxDOT advance funding agreement that was approved during the August 20, 2024 Brazos County commission meeting. At the end of Tuesday’s meeting, commissioner Chuck Konderla presented updates on two county road projects south and east of Kurten. Wednesday (August 21) was scheduled to be the first day that thru traffic was blocked on Oak Lake Road for bridge repairs. The project will take about three months to complete, weather permitting. And Konderla said utility companies have been notified to relocate lines along Democrat Road, where paving will take place in the future. The utility notification followed the county acquiring necessary right of way property. Click below to hear comments from Chuck Konderla during the August 20, 2024 Brazos County commission meeting.  

Bryan/College Station Chamber Of Commerce Hosts The 2024 Economic Outlook Briefing

The Bryan/College Station chamber of commerce held its 2024 economic outlook briefing on August 21, 2024. The president of the Brazos Valley economic development corporation, Susan Davenport, shared local data compiled by the Texas A&M private enterprise research center. The featured speaker, U.S. senator Ted Cruz, shared the status of federal legislation affecting businesses and fielded audience questions. Click below to hear comments from Susan Davenport: Listen to “Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation president Susan Davenport speaks at the B/CS chamber of commerce economic outlook briefing” on Spreaker. Click below to hear comments from Ted Cruz: Listen to “Senator Ted Cruz remarks at the Bryan/College Station chamber of commerce economic outlook briefing, 8/21/24” on Spreaker.