Brookshire issues mask requirement, approves economic development agreement for Brookshire Drying Company

Animal shelter design expected for presentation at next meeting

By Joe Southern | Special to the Katy Times
Posted 7/2/20

Beginning Monday, businesses in Brookshire will be required to have their employees and customers wear masks inside their buildings.

The Brookshire City Council, meeting Thursday at noon online, …

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Brookshire issues mask requirement, approves economic development agreement for Brookshire Drying Company

Animal shelter design expected for presentation at next meeting

Posted

Beginning Monday, businesses in Brookshire will be required to have their employees and customers wear masks inside their buildings.

The Brookshire City Council, meeting Thursday at noon online, voted for a return to Phase I in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19. A short time later Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statewide face covering order.

“Cases are coming so fast right now it’s hard to keep up with them,” Police Chief Brandal Jackson told the council.

He said two city employees are currently out with COVID-19, also known as coronavirus. The current estimate is that there are more than 25 active cases in Brookshire.

“I don’t think this is going to go away anytime soon,” said Alderman Eric Green.

He is recommending the city buy ultraviolet lights for city facilities to help fight against the disease, but no action was taken. He also called for all city facilities to be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized every two weeks. That was included in the motion the council unanimously passed that instituted the mask requirement.

Rice dryer expanding

Also at the meeting, the council unanimously approved a Brookshire Economic Development Corporation recommendation that the city enter into a 360 performance agreement with Brookshire Drying Company. The agreement allows for a temporary tax abatement on an expansion of the rice drying company at the intersection of FM 359 and Highway 90.

“We’re going to be expanding to offer a full service to our customers in the manner of building a rice mill so it will help us to be a turnkey operation for our community of growers,” said company spokesperson Pam West.

The three-year agreement gives Brookshire Drying Company a tax rebate on the expanded portion of their facility. They get 100% the first year, 50% the next year, and 25% the third year. In return they have to meet certain performance agreements.

Animal shelter

Although no action was taken, the council received an update on the status of establishing and staffing an animal control shelter. Alderman Lee Jones said he hopes to present the council with architectural drawings for a facility at their next meeting. He also said they are taking applications for someone to run the facility and volunteers to help operate it.

Mayor Darell Branch and Alderwoman Kim Branch were absent. The meeting was led by Mayor Pro-Tem Marilyn Vaughn.

Brookshire City Council meets multiple times per month and since the beginning of the pandemic has been meeting virtually. The next meeting is scheduled for July 9 at noon. Agendas may be found at www.brookshiretexas.org/meeting.

COVID-19, Brookshire, Masks, animal shelter,