Blinn College Trustees Creating A Capital Improvements Plan

Ross Brady, Chief of Staff, visits with WTAW’s Scott DeLucia about his role, impact fees, other legislation in Austin that they are monitoring, extraterritorial jurisdiction regulations, a new College Station history book, and more during his appearance on The Infomaniacs on Friday, April 11, 2025. Listen to “City of College Station Update on The Infomaniacs” on Spreaker.

Since September 2024, the Bryan ISD school board and the governor’s office has been negotiating a possible agreement giving property tax breaks towards a $13 billion dollar semiconductor manufacturing and research complex on the RELLIS campus. Bryan mayor Bobby Gutierrez said during his latest update on WTAW’s The Infomaniacs (April 9) that he met this week with the A&M system’s new and departing chancellors. Gutierrez said he “was assured by both chancellors (Glenn Hegar and John Sharp) that there has never been in history nor will there ever be in history the state coming after the school district for money not collected in taxes.” Gutierrez also said “Hopefully they’ll (BISD and the governor) will be able to come to an agreement and their attorney will be able to let them know exactly that there is no risk (to BISD).” The Bryan council and Brazos County commission, which approved incentives last year, were not required to get the governor’s approval. Public school districts are required to enter an agreement with the governor under the Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act (JETI) that was enacted during the 2023 legislative session. WTAW News asked for a response from BISD officials to the mayor’s comments. Superintendent Ginger Carrabine sent the following statement: “Bryan ISD continues negotiations with the Governor’s office regarding the JETI agreement. We understand and appreciate the potential of initiatives like the JETI incentive program to drive economic development and create new possibilities for the region. We value our partnerships with all involved stakeholders as we continue to work through this process.” Click below to hear Bobby Gutierrez’s comments during his visit April 9, 2025 on WTAW’s The Infomaniacs.  

In August 2023, the Bryan city council decided on the logos that will be placed on the water tower that is under construction off West Villa Maria along Chick Lane. At Tuesday’s council workshop meeting (April 8), the council decided where on the top of the water tower to place the logos. The tank, with the logos, is scheduled to be installed in August. Motorists turning onto Leonard Road from John Sharp Parkway…which most locals know as Highway 47…will see “Birthplace of Aggieland”. And motorists turning off Harvey Mitchell Parkway to Leonard Road will see “Bryan Texas”. Public works director Jayson Barfknecht was teased by councilwoman Marca Ewers-Shurtleff. She said to “make it look really good”, “and if looks weird, we’re just gonna completely blame it on you.” Click HERE to read and download presentation materials from the April 8, 2025 Bryan city council workshop meeting. Click below to hear comments from the April 8, 2025 Bryan city council workshop meeting.