The Brownsville City Commission approved a new collective bargaining agreement with the Brownsville Firefighters Association Local 970 during its October 21 meeting, marking one of the fastest and most collaborative contract negotiations in recent years.
City officials and firefighters gathered for the signing ceremony, celebrating a partnership built on mutual trust and shared commitment to public safety.
The celebration continued as the City recognized the Brownsville Fire Department’s 150th anniversary, with a special proclamation presented on behalf of Governor Greg Abbott. The recognition honored generations of firefighters who have served the Brownsville community with dedication and courage since the department’s founding in 1875.
The meeting also included a proclamation declaring October as U.S.–Mexico Binational Health Month 2025, reinforcing the city’s ongoing partnerships with the Texas Department of State Health Services and Mexico’s Secretaría de Salud. Dr. Alberto Pérez, representing the state health department, praised Brownsville as “one of the best partners in binational public health,” citing collaborative work on disease prevention and health outreach along the border.
Commissioners also honored the Senior Softball Team, who made local history as the first District 24 team to win the Texas West State Championship. The young athletes, representing Brownsville, Olmito, Los Fresnos, and La Feria, were recognized for their perseverance, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
In other business, Brownsville ISD Superintendent Dr. Jesús Chávez presented details on the district’s upcoming $460 million bond election, which includes $385 million for campus improvements and $75 million for a new Performing Arts Center.
Commissioners unanimously approved two Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) projects: $150,000 for workforce training scholarships through Texas Southmost College and Workforce Solutions Cameron, supporting local residents entering high-demand construction and pipefitting trades, and $500,000 for the Old Alice Road property acquisition, part of a joint partnership with the City, Cameron County, and GBIC to retain Workforce Solutions Cameron in Brownsville.
The City also advanced key infrastructure improvements with the approval of an $18.9 million contract for runway reconstruction at the Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport (BRO). Funded in part by $16.5 million in federal grants, the project will enhance safety with new lighting, signage, and pavement upgrades for the secondary runway.
You can view the City Commission here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMJ0tSFF1_4
