Kevin O’Connor Kommentary May 29

Fee Increases Approved By The College Station City Council

After the College Station city council approved the fiscal year 2025 budget and property tax rate, came a near unanimous vote on setting hundreds of fees to take affect October 1. Councilman Bob Yancy abstained from the vote, saying “I just believe this is too much fiscal information to cram into one meeting.” The list includes increasing parks and recreation fees for non residents. There was no change in parks and recreation fees for College Station residents. Non residents, who had paid 20 percent more, will pay 25 percent more. Councilwoman Elizabeth Cunha, who was part of the six to the nothing vote, said the city is still subsidizing the parks and recreation fee for non residents. Water rates will increase ten percent. Most other fees are increasing by three and a half percent, which reflects the increase in the national consumer price index. Click HERE to read and download presentation materials from the August 22, 2024 College Station city council meeting. Click HERE to read and download the resolution that was approved from the August 22, 2024 College Station city council meeting. Click below to hear comments from the August 22, 2024 College Station city council meeting.  

Texas A&M Employees And Students Invited To Provide Feedback On Two Presidential Study Committee Draft Reports

Texas A&M students and employees still have time to provide feedback to the preliminary findings of two studies done by committees appointed by the president. There is a September 17th deadline for feedback on a 72 page capacity study. Draft recommendations includes pausing undergraduate growth on the main campus for the next five years and allow modest growth in graduate and online enrollment. Click HERE to read and download the draft report on Texas A&M’s capacity study. Students and employees have until September 10th to respond to recommendations to improve student experiences. The 44 page report is broken down into four sections…the impact of enrollment growth in serving students, the changing needs of new A&M students, providing a high quality academic experience, and addressing what the report calls the “nickel and diming” of students. Click HERE to read and download the draft report on Texas A&M’s student experience study.

College Station Firefighters Promoting Signage To Alert First Responders To Pets Inside Residences

The College Station fire department is promoting signage that residents can pick up to show first responders there are pets inside their homes and apartments. CSFD’s community outreach specialist Harlei Struck says residents can write down the number and types of pets and place them on glass surfaces near entry doors. Struck says the signage gives first responders a heads up about pets that could display the same anxiety as their owners during an emergency. Struck also recommends that pet owners have their pets microchipped as another protective measure, should pets run outside. The signs can be picked up at CSFD’s administration office on Krenek Tap Road next to College Station municipal court. The Bryan fire department has ordered more pet signs after recently running out. Click below for comments from Harlei Struck, visiting with WTAW’s Bill Oliver: Listen to “College Station firefighters promoting signage to alert first responders to pets inside residences” on Spreaker.