United Way of the Brazos Valley Update

Kyle Kacal Sworn In As Acting Brazos County Judge

Retired state representative Kyle Kacal of College Station was sworn in Tuesday (July 8) as acting Brazos County Judge. After 85th district court judge Kyle Hawthorne administered two oaths, Kacal took his seat and said “what an honor that has been bestowed on me by Judge (Duane) Peters and his family. I want to say that I will continue and hope you will keep them in your prayers as he (Peters) recovers” from undisclosed health issues. Kacal also said “this is an acting appointment that I take very seriously and will dedicate all the time necessary.” Kacal then told the four commissioners “I can’t tell you what an honor it is to serve with these four individuals to my right and left. Commissioners, you have all been duly elected to this county that we all call home and love, and it is our duty to do what’s best for this incredible county that we live in.” Before moving into the rest of the day’s agenda, Kacal said “the public’s engagement makes the county operate better. And as long as we are able to engage in civil debate, we can all together do what’s best for Brazos County. And as I look out there (towards the audience), I see a lot of folks that love Brazos County and this state and this country as much as the five of us. And we are excited to work alongside of you.” Click below to hear the swearing in and the comments of Kyle Kacal at the July 8, 2025 Brazos County commission meeting. Listen to “Kyle Kacal sworn in as acting Brazos County Judge” on Spreaker.

Multiple Fire Departments Respond To Crude Oil Off Loading Terminal South Of Kurten

Multiple fire departments were south of Kurten Monday night (July 7) at the scene of a fire at a crude oil off loading terminal. Brazos County emergency management coordinator Jason Ware said there was an evacuation of a half mile around the site of fires in the cab of a semi and four crude oil tanks next to the semi. Ware said firefighters kept a full load of 6,700 gallons of crude oil from getting out of the semi tanker. An employee at the crude oil off loading terminal was flown from the scene with undisclosed injuries. Initial response was from Brazos County fire districts two and three. Ware said mutual aid was provided by the precinct four, South Brazos County, College Station, and Bryan fire departments, the Brazos County sheriff’s and emergency management offices, the Texas department of public safety and the Texas division of emergency management. Click below to hear comments from Jason Ware, visiting with WTAW’s Bill Oliver. Listen to “Multiple fire departments respond to a crude oil off loading terminal south of Kurten” on Spreaker.

College Station City Council Receives Proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Budget

The proposed College Station city budget for the 2026 fiscal year was presented to city council members at a special meeting on Monday (July 7). Click HERE to read and download a summary of the FY 26 budget from the city of College Station. Click HERE to read and download the 185 page FY 26 budget document from the city of College Station. Click HERE to read and download presentation materials made during the July 7, 2025 College Station city council special meeting. The proposal calls for a five percent decrease in the property tax rate, which would offset an estimated four and a half percent increase in residential property values. No rate increase is proposed for College Station electric, water, or wastewater customers. There is a proposed five percent rate increase for College Station solid waste customers, which works out to an average of $2.97 a month. Fiscal services director Mary Ellen Leonard says more than 20 percent of the city’s general fund revenue comes from sales taxes. Next year’s sales tax estimate is a one percent increase because the city won’t have two big one time events that happened this year…Texas A&M football hosting Texas and a large sales tax audit payment the city received from the state. The proposal includes six more police officers and four more patrol vehicles and one more person in the planning and development office. Staffing also reflects a reorganization with eliminating the community services office where two vacant positions will not be filled. And as previously announced, there are 12 more firefighters to staff the new seventh fire station, which will initially be funded by federal grant money. After Monday’s 90 minute meeting, the council agreed to hold a budget workshop on July 16 and a public hearing on July 24. A tax rate public hearing and budget adoption are scheduled for August 28. The fiscal year begins October 1. Click below to hear a summary of the July 7, 2025 College Station city council special meeting. Listen to “College Station city council receives the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget” on Spreaker.