College Station City Council Approves Concept Plan For A $6 Million Dollar Renovation Of Thomas Park

College Station ISD Update On Next Year’s Staffing, Recruiting Out Of District Students, And Changing The Provider Of Employee Benefits

The March regular meeting of the College Station ISD school board was supposed to include recommendations from the district’s budget committee for the next school year. But board members were told that will come in April. Superintendent Tim Harkrider says the delay will in part give more time to develop staffing needs, which may include fewer teachers due to declining enrollment. Board members were also told that a recommendation on changing the provider of employee benefits will be delayed from May to June. While CSISD is leaving the state’s teacher retirement system (TRS), board members were told the district could return to TRS within five years without penalty. The superintendent also reported CSISD has received 15 applications from out of district students who could attend CSISD kindergarten through sixth grade classes next year. Harkrider said there will be another social media campaign. And out of district recruitment will be part of a breakfast meeting that administrators will have with local realtors next month. Click below to hear Tim Harkrider’s comments from the March 17, 2026 College Station ISD school board meeting. Listen to “College Station ISD update on next year's staffing, recruiting out of district students, & changing the provider of employee benefits” on Spreaker.

Divided Bryan City Council Delays Action On A Rezoning Request By A Local Non Profit Agency

More than one hour was spent at the March regular meeting of Bryan city council on a rezoning request. In June 2022, a Bryan non profit agency received a conditional use permit to operate a professional office east of downtown Bryan for counseling services. Made Well Ministries later expanded services on adjacent property that is inside Bryan’s eastside historic district. Currently offered among other things are counseling, medical, and child care services and fitness classes. In the summer of 2025, the city received concerns from homeowners in the historic district that Made Well was operating inside the district without proper zoning. That led Made Well in October of 2025 to file a rezoning request to combine both properties into one planned development district (PDD). In February 2026, the planning and zoning commission recommended approval of the PDD to the city council by a six to two margin. And the council at its March regular meeting, tabled action until the April meeting on the P&Z recommendation by a 4-3 margin. Making the motion to postpone, Marca Ewers-Shurtleff was among councilmembers who wanted supporters and opponents to work out their differences. She also expected the delay to result in the language of the zoning change will be exceeding clear to those who acquire the property in the future. Seconding the motion, Jared Salvato attempted to balance the competing interests. Also voting to delay action were Ray Arrington and Kevin Boriskie. Voting against the delay were mayor Bobby Gutierrez and councilmen Paul Torres and James Edge. Made Well owner Kasey Van Norman told the council that they are under contract to acquire a former law office where some services will be moved. Van Norman also said contributing factors to increased noise and traffic congestion in the area are medians on Texas Avenue and East 29th, the enrollment at St. Joseph’s school almost doubling in the last five years, and First Methodist Church acquiring a private academy. If the council would deny the request, development services director Martin Zimmerman said they would be talking with the city manager about enforcement since Made Well would be out of compliance with zoning regulations. Click HERE to read and download background information from the city of Bryan. Click HERE to read and download the staff report regarding Made Well’s rezoning request. Click HERE to read and download documents from rezoning opponents provided by the city of Bryan. Click HERE to read and download documents provided by the city of Bryan from rezoning supporters. Click below to hear comments from the March 10, 2026 Bryan city council meeting. Listen to “Divided Bryan city council delays action on a rezoning request by a non profit agency” on Spreaker.

Brazos County Tax Office Did Not Send Text Messages To Property Owners

Employees at the Brazos County tax office fielded phone calls Wednesday (March 18) from property owners who say they have received text messages that tax assessor-collector Melissa Leonard says they did not send. The text message refers to an upcoming auction of properties with delinquent taxes, something that Leonard says is not scheduled at this time. Leonard says most of the calls they received came from people who owe back taxes. She says those who owe 2025 taxes can pay them at the tax office. Paying delinquent taxes from 2024 and before should be arranged through the law firm the county hired to collect older back taxes. Leonard said the tax office does not have residents phone numbers or e-mail addresses and could not send text messages. News release from Brazos County: Brazos County Tax Assessor/Collector Melissa Leonard says the tax office has received numerous calls this morning from concerned tax payers who have received text messages stating they owe back taxes and their homes are up for auction. The tax office HAS NOT sent these messages, does not have residents phone numbers or email addresses and COULD NOT send these messages. Please let the public know this is NOT coming from the Brazos County Tax Office. Click below to hear Melissa Leonard’s visit with WTAW’s Bill Oliver. Listen to “Brazos County tax office did NOT text messages to property owners” on Spreaker.