Brownfield City Council Discusses Economic Development Agreement, Abortion Ordinance, and Infrastructure Updates
The Brownfield City Council held its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday morning, March 5, 2026, at City Hall. Several items of business were addressed during the session.
Mayor Eric Horton called the meeting to order and led the invocation and pledges. With no public comments submitted, council members approved the minutes from the previous meeting before moving into the agenda items.
Economic Development Agreement Approved
Mayor Horton moved Item No. 9 to the beginning of the meeting, where the council discussed and considered Resolution No. 20260219.1. The resolution involved the second of two required readings of an economic development agreement between the Brownfield Type B Economic Development Corporation and Pickle Patch Company in Brownfield.
The agreement is part of the city’s efforts to support local economic development and encourage business growth within the community. Council members reviewed the terms of the proposed partnership and discussed potential benefits the project could bring to the local economy.
Following the discussion, the council unanimously approved the final reading of the resolution.
Council Sends Abortion Ordinance to Voters
The council then returned to Item No. 3 on the agenda, which proposed an ordinance that would outlaw abortion within the city limits and declare Brownfield a “Sanctuary City for the Unborn.”
The ordinance had previously appeared on the council’s December 4, 2025 meeting agenda but was tabled at that time to allow for a workshop with the city attorney. During Thursday’s meeting, Mayor Horton told the council the item had been placed back on the agenda for an up-or-down vote and acknowledged the workshop had not taken place.
According to the proposed ordinance, Brownfield would become a “Sanctuary City for the Unborn,” placing several restrictions related to abortion within the city and involving its residents.
Right to Life Across Texas and the founder of the Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn initiative) Photo Credit: markleedickson.com
The ordinance would prohibit elective abortions within the city limits at any stage of pregnancy, including abortions performed through medication if the drugs are taken inside the city. Abortions performed in cases of medical emergencies that threaten the life of the mother would remain permitted.
Additional provisions would make it illegal to assist in arranging or performing an abortion that violates the city’s policy. The ordinance would also apply in certain circumstances involving Brownfield residents even if the abortion occurs outside city limits.
The proposal would further prohibit transporting someone through or from Brownfield for the purpose of obtaining an abortion, as well as assisting with the cost or arrangements for such travel. It would also ban abortion-inducing drugs from being manufactured, distributed, mailed, or delivered within the city if intended to terminate a pregnancy.
Organizations that promote or assist with abortion procedures could also be prohibited from operating within Brownfield under the ordinance. However, the ordinance specifically states that a pregnant woman could not be prosecuted, fined, or sued under the law.
Another notable provision is that the city government would not directly enforce the ordinance. Instead, private citizens would be allowed to file civil lawsuits against individuals or organizations they believe violated the ordinance. Those who prevail in court could be awarded at least $10,000 per violation, along with court costs and attorney fees.
Overall, the ordinance is designed to discourage abortion-related activity connected to the city by allowing private lawsuits against individuals who perform, assist with, or facilitate abortions, while not penalizing the pregnant woman herself.
During the discussion, Councilman JC Tejerina asked for additional clarification regarding the ordinance. Mayor Horton explained that he had previously spoken with Mark Lee Dickson, founder of the Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn initiative, to better understand the proposal. Horton told the council that while abortion is already illegal in Texas, the ordinance was intended to help prevent minors from crossing city and county lines to obtain abortions in neighboring states such as New Mexico.
Councilman Marshall Martell asked whether the issue had been discussed at the county level and whether a county ordinance would supersede a city ordinance. Horton said the county had not placed the issue on its agenda and had not been contacted by Dickson. He also explained that a county ordinance would not apply within the incorporated cities of Brownfield, Meadow, or Wellman.
Councilman Ray McFarland said he reviewed the entire 16-page ordinance and noted that it appeared to target those involved in facilitating abortion procedures.
“It appears that it’s targeting those who traffic abortion, not the women — the ones who are trying to make money off of it,” McFarland said.
Councilman Tom Hesse raised concerns about Section 10 of the ordinance, the severability clause. The clause states that if a court strikes down any portion of the ordinance, the remaining provisions would remain in effect.
Hesse said he believed the matter should be decided by voters and suggested placing the ordinance on the ballot.
Hesse then made a motion to place the ordinance before the voters of Brownfield. Councilwoman Vanessa Valdonado seconded the motion.
During the discussion, Dickson arrived at the meeting and addressed the council, urging members not to send the ordinance to a public vote. Dickson argued that placing the ordinance on the ballot without a citizen petition could be illegal. Mayor Horton asked the city attorney to clarify, and the attorney stated he believed such a petition was not required.
Councilman Tejerina commented that because of the sensitive nature of the issue, it should ultimately be decided by voters.
The council then voted to place the ordinance on the November General Election ballot, allowing Brownfield residents to decide the matter.
Following the vote, a brief exchange occurred between Horton and Dickson before the meeting continued.
Electric Utility Report
The council then moved to Item No. 4 and heard a quarterly report from the city’s Director of Electric Utilities regarding operations of Brownfield Power & Light.
The report detailed several outages that occurred between October and December 2025, many of which were caused by equipment failures, including blown transformers, line fuse issues, damaged poles, and faulty service lines.
Some outages were also caused by outside incidents, including a garbage truck that struck three power poles near the Lanny Substation breaker and a truck that pulled down electrical service lines at Tencha’s restaurant. Crews also responded to wildlife interference with electrical equipment and a house fire that required utilities to disconnect power.
City electric crews performed numerous maintenance tasks during the quarter, including replacing poles, repairing transformers, installing cut-outs, and addressing downed electrical phases.
Officials said the report highlights the department’s efforts to maintain reliability across the city’s electrical system while responding quickly to outages and infrastructure needs.
Water and Wastewater Department Update
The council also received a quarterly report from the Water and Wastewater Department covering the first quarter of the 2025–2026 fiscal year.
During the quarter, crews repaired a mainline leak at 3rd Street and Warren Alley and completed new water tap installations and sewer locates. The department processed 187 Dig Tess utility locate requests and completed 80 work orders during the period.
Staff also assisted with traffic control during the Harvest Festival, participated in the Brownfield Christmas Light Parade, and completed several equipment repairs on city vehicles.
The department added new equipment through capital improvement purchases, including a vibratory compactor, impact compactor, and trailer.
Four of the department’s six operators attended the West Texas Regional Water Utility School, earning certifications in wastewater treatment, water distribution, and basic water operations.
Additional work included inspections of the city’s water tower and ground storage tanks, completion of quarterly disinfection byproduct sampling, and ongoing efforts to address Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) compliance issues related to wastewater irrigation fields.
Atmos Energy Rate Review Mechanism
The council also approved a resolution concerning natural gas rates for Atmos Energy’s West Texas Division.
The resolution authorizes a Rate Review Mechanism (RRM) that allows Atmos Energy to conduct annual reviews of its rates rather than using the traditional interim rate adjustment process outlined in the Texas Utilities Code.
The process would involve coordination between Atmos Energy and a steering committee representing the cities served by the company. The agreement also requires Atmos Energy to reimburse cities for reasonable costs related to reviewing the rate adjustments.
CRMWA Water Supply Project
Council members also approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority (CRMWA) and its member cities regarding a future water supply project known as CRMWA II.
The agreement involves eleven cities served by the authority, including Brownfield, Amarillo, Borger, Lamesa, Levelland, Lubbock, O’Donnell, Pampa, Plainview, Slaton, and Tahoka.
The proposed project would construct a second pipeline transporting groundwater from Roberts County, increasing the authority’s delivery capacity from approximately 65 million gallons per day to about 112 million gallons per day.
The project is intended to strengthen long-term water supply reliability and provide backup infrastructure for portions of the existing aqueduct system built in the late 1960s. If developed, the project is expected to become operational by 2038, with planning and design work beginning earlier.
Animal Advisory Board Ordinance
The council also approved Ordinance No. 2166, which amends the city’s Code of Ordinances to establish an Animal Advisory Board.
The board is required under Texas Health and Safety Code §823.005 for municipalities that operate an animal shelter.
The advisory board will consist of at least four members appointed by the City Council, including a licensed veterinarian, a municipal official, an animal shelter operator, and a representative from an animal welfare organization.
Members will serve staggered two-year terms and meet at least three times per year. The board will function in an advisory capacity, offering recommendations regarding animal control policies, shelter operations, public safety, and responsible pet ownership.
Executive Session
The council later entered executive session but took no action afterward.
The meeting was adjourned, and the next Brownfield City Council meeting is scheduled for March 19, 2026, at 7:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.