Story and photo by Steve Nash - Special Contributor to BrownwoodNews.com Public hearings on the City of Brownwood's budget for the new fiscal year will be held at 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Aug. 25. The 9 a.m. public hearing "is our traditional meeting, and then we'll have an evening meeting to get people that are not able to be here that time," Mayor Stephen Haynes said.

"Historically, (the 5:30 p.m. hearing) has not been highly attended, but I still think it's the right thing to do to give multiple opportunities." City finance director Melanie Larose said, "we're not required to do that. That's council's direction. I would say probably about six years ago, somewhere around that timeline. And so that does give the public those dual opportunities to come and get their input" In an unrelated matter, the council authorized economic development director Ray Tipton to negotiate a purchasing contract for property at 215 Center Ave. The council took the action after reconvening from an executive session.

"That was all discussed in the executive session," Tipton said.