Christmas Eve is the final day for the Bryan/College Station Salvation Army’s red kettle campaign.
Officials announced Friday the campaign is $35,000 dollars short of funding next year’s operations at this year’s level.
Captain Paul Ryerson reminded those attending last month’s kickoff that 100 percent of the money is spent locally.
In addition to financial donations, there are still volunteer opportunities to ring bells.
The Bryan city council approves starting with eminent domain proceedings. A unanimous vote without public discussion at Tuesday’s (September 10) council meeting is associated with extending Groesbeck Street to the east past the railroad tracks to Texas. City staff told the council the owner of about one-third of an acre of land at Texas and 32nd wants $500,000 dollars for the property. The city’s last offer was $350,000. An appraisal done by a contractor hired by the city set the value at $290,000. The council was also advised that a judge could set a higher price for the land. The council agreed with the staff recommendation to offer $400,000 dollars and budget $50,000 in legal expenses. Staff also told the council that the property has unpaid liens to the city totaling 130 thousand. The liens would be paid out of the landowner’s proceeds of the sale. Click HERE to read and download the resolution that was approved at the September 10, 2024 Bryan city council meeting. Click HERE to read and download background information associated with the condemnation proceedings. Click HERE to read and download information given to the council by the city’s outside appraisal company.
Brazos County commissioners approve the 2025 fiscal year budget and property tax rate after hearing from six public speakers. Five of the six supported the majority vote to increase the tax rate by one cent. The 4-1 commission vote supported county judge Duane Peters proposal. Steve Aldrich was opposed. Peters said the FY 25 county budget also spends $90 million dollars in savings. $75 million is going towards capital projects and $15 million is for maintenance and operations. Peters also said there is a possibility of a tax rate increase in the fiscal year 2026 budget. Click below to hear comments from the September 10, 2024 Brazos County commission regular meeting. Listen to “Divided public comments precede Brazos County commissioners approving the fiscal year 2025 budget and property tax rate on a divided vote” on Spreaker.
The Bryan city council’s recent decisions to continue financial assistance to the Bryan school district received a thank you by school board members. Comments from board member Ruthie Waller came during her review of the last meeting of the BISD-city of Bryan joint committee. Click below for comments from Ruthie Waller during the September 9, 2024 Bryan ISD school board meeting. Last month, the Bryan council approved paying the entire $200,000 dollar cost for school crossing guards. The council also agreed to continue paying one-fourth the cost of school resource officers at BISD middle and high schools at a cost of $372,000 dollars.
Bryan Broadcasting Corporation