The Brownwood City Council has approved easements that will allow Oncor Electric Delivery to relocate power lines underground as the city moves forward with Phase I of its downtown streetscape project.
The action came during the council’s Tuesday morning meeting. The Downtown Plan Phase I work includes installing underground utilities, requiring new easements on portions of city-owned and privately owned property. City staff has been coordinating with Oncor and engineering firm Freese and Nichols to redesign the power-line system for the project.
Properties included in the easement approvals
The council approved easements on city property at four locations:
- 508 E. Baker
- 200 Carnegie/521 E. Baker
- 201 E. Anderson
- 406 Fisk Street
The easements are part of the utility-relocation process tied to the downtown renovation work. The project’s underground installation is expected to require additional easements in other locations involving both public and private property.
Two Brownwood intersections targeted for safety funding
Council members also approved a professional-services agreement for preparing the city’s application for the 2027 Highway Safety Improvement Program grant. The agreement authorizes the city manager to sign a contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates Inc. for the application work.
The city was notified about an opportunity to apply for funding through TxDOT’s Traffic Safety Division. The proposed application would seek improvements at signalized intersections, with Coggin and 3rd and Indian Creek and 4th identified as the two possible focus areas in the fiscal year 2026-27 capital budget.
The intersections could qualify based on safety data. The TxDOT Brownwood District has $750,000 available each year for off-system Highway Safety Improvement Program projects. Preparing Brownwood’s application through Kimley-Horn will cost $7,500.
Budget amendments and community recognition
The council approved on first reading an ordinance making eight year-end amendments to the city’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget. The amendments total $693,428. The ordinance will return to the council for a second and third, or final, reading.
Brownwood Police Chief James Fuller told the council that the Brownwood Police Department had received accreditation from the Texas Police Chiefs Association for the fourth time. Brownwood is among 235 of the state’s 2,800 police departments to receive the recognition. The department previously received accreditation in 2013, 2018 and 2022.
The meeting also included recognition for Debbie Childs, who was serving her final day as general manager of the Brownwood Event Center after five years in the position. She was recognized for her contributions to the center.