At its November 18, 2025, City Commission meeting, the Brownsville City Commission recognized cultural milestones, addressed pressing health awareness, and unveiled critical infrastructure plans aimed at ensuring a resilient future for the city.
Commissioners honored the 10th Annual Brownsville Music Legacy Awards (BMLA) with an official proclamation, highlighting a decade of celebrating Tejano, conjunto, and Latin music artists from the Rio Grande Valley. Founded in 2015, BMLA has revitalized the careers of local legends and fostered youth mentorship in music education. Representatives of the awards program emphasized the impact of community support in sustaining Brownsville’s vibrant musical identity. The 10th anniversary celebration is scheduled for Tuesday, November 25, at Jacob Brown Auditorium.
The Commission also proclaimed November as National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness and Family Caregivers Month, recognizing the 1.1 million Texans providing unpaid care for loved ones affected by Alzheimer’s. Advocates from the Alzheimer’s Association shared personal stories and the importance of early diagnosis, research, and awareness efforts in improving the quality of life for families and caregivers.
The Brownsville Public Utilities Board (PUB) presented detailed plans to ensure long-term water availability amid ongoing drought conditions. Brownsville currently sources 71% of its water from the Rio Grande and 29% from groundwater through the Southmost Regional Water Authority (SRWA) desalination plant. PUB outlined projects to double SRWA’s output, increase storage capacity through a new 400-million-gallon reservoir, and implement advanced leak detection and metering systems. PUB leadership emphasized that these projects aim to reduce reliance on river water and are being pursued with state and federal grants to limit any financial burden on residents.
In recognition of its commitment to beautification and urban design, Brownsville was awarded the Silver Scenic City Certification by Scenic Texas. This honor highlights the city’s dedication to preserving green spaces, public art, and native landscaping across its parks and downtown areas.
The Commission also approved a zoning change for a 92-acre tract of land along Paredes Line Road. The development will transition from agricultural use to residential single-family and commercial use to accommodate Brownsville’s continued northward expansion.
