Five Arrested at Wedding Reception in Beaumont

First Meeting Of The First Elected Members Of The Brazos Central Appraisal District Board

In November 2023, Texas voters changed the state constitution by adding elected members to appraisal district boards. In May 2024, three people were elected to represent the Brazos Central Appraisal District (BCAD) board. Thursday (August 22) was the first meeting for the first elected members of the BCAD board. Rafael Pena and Jane Sherman were sworn in, along with Brazos County’s new tax assessor-collector Melissa Leonard. Also elected but absent from Thursday’s meeting was Jonna Schreiber. Board members, elected and appointed, are not involved in setting property values or hearing appeals. Board members appoint the chief appraiser, adopt the annual budget and biennial reappraisal plan, approve litigation settlements, and approve contract services. Click below to hear a visit with Jane Sherman and WTAW’s Bill Oliver: Listen to “First meeting for one of the first newly elected members of the Brazos Central Appraisal District board, Jane Sherman” on Spreaker. Click below to hear a visit with Rafael Pena and WTAW’s Bill Oliver: Listen to “First meeting for one of the first newly elected members of the Brazos Central Appraisal District board, Rafael Pena” on Spreaker.

Bryan City Secretary Mary Lynne Stratta is Retiring After 34 Years

Bryan City Secretary Mary Lynne Stratta visits with WTAW’s Scott DeLucia about her career as city secretary, her successor, her past accomplishments and achievements, changes the city has undergone during her time, her future plans, and more during her appearance on The Infomaniacs on Thursday, August 22, 2024. Listen to “Bryan City Secretary Mary Lynne Stratta on The Infomaniacs” on Spreaker. The Bryan city council scheduled a special meeting Thursday (August 22) to present Stratta a resolution thanking her for her service and to name her city secretary emeritus. A public come and go reception is taking place between 2 and 4 p.m. in the Bryan municipal courtrooms. The program that includes presenting the resolution is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. Click HERE to read and download the resolution.

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.