Update from State Senator Steve Ogden

Bryan Council 4-3 Vote To Rezone Commercial Property To Build 150 Apartments

The Bryan city council votes 4-3 to rezone commercial property north of the Premiere movie complex to build 150 apartments. Two of the four council members spoke about their support for the rezoning. Mayor Bobby Gutierrez and councilman James Edge thanked the applicant for dropping plans for three bedroom units and adding a six foot tall brick wall. Two of the three council members who spoke about their opposition, Jared Salvato and Kevin Boriskie, said they wanted to protect the limited amount of retail property that is along the freeway. Three other members had no comments before their votes. Ray Arrington and Marca Ewers-Shurtleff voted for the rezoning and Paul Torres voted against the change. Click HERE to read and download background information from the city of Bryan. Click HERE to read and download the Bryan city staff report. Click HERE to read and download the applicant’s presentation materials that were provided by the city of Bryan. Click below to hear comments from the September 10, 2024 Bryan city council meeting.  

Brazos County Commissioners Add Personnel Costs Before Adopting A Fiscal Year 2025 Budget

Brazos County commissioners unanimously approve additions before adopting a fiscal year 2025 budget at Tuesday’s (September 10) meeting. The additions include a part time position at the veterans service office. He cited there are more than 9,000 veterans in the county and 3,800 associated with Texas A&M. Peters said he is working to open a satellite office on the campus. The cost of the pay and benefits for the additional position is $32,308. Click below to hear comments from Duane Peters about adding the part time position in the veterans service office during the September 10, 2024 Brazos County commission meeting.   Commissioner Nancy Berry presented additional pay raises for 23 county employees. 22 are constable deputies and chief deputies. Individual pay raises for the constable positions ranged from $9 dollars to $7,988. Commissioners approved a maximum pay for deputy constables of $82,500 and for chief deputy constables to $92,500. Commissioners also raised the pay of the district attorney’s administrative assistant by $7,610 dollars. Judge Peters said that was to match other county administrative assistants. The cost of the salary increases and associated benefits of the 23 positions is $109,822. Click below to hear comments from Nancy Berry and Duane Peters about pay raises during the September 10, 2024 Brazos County commission meeting.  

Bryan ISD School Board Approves Offering Pre-K Instruction To Qualifying Child Care Centers In Brazos And Robertson Counties

Bryan ISD school board members approve the administration’s recommendation to take pre-kindergarten instruction to qualifying child care centers in Brazos and Robertson counties. BISD’s director of special programs Jennifer Warren says they could serve as many as 440 three and four year olds who would be co-enrolled with their care center and the district. A full day of instruction would be provided to four year olds and three hours a day to three year olds. BISD would receive additional state funding and share that revenue with the child care center. BISD board members agreed to a partnership that also involves Texas A&M, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the Texas Education Agency. Click HERE to read and download presentation materials that were shared during the September 9, 2024 Bryan ISD school board meeting. Click below to hear comments from Jennifer Warren at the September 9, 2024 Bryan ISD school board meeting. Listen to “Bryan ISD school board approves offering pre-K instruction to qualifying child care centers in Brazos and Robertson counties” on Spreaker.