PHOTO BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
FIRE REPORT … Fire Chief Doug Pool shared that the Bryan Fraternal Order of Eagles donated $15,000 to the department to help cover recent repair costs.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Bryan City Council met on Monday, April 20, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. to accept two large donations and approve a change order for the South Walnut sewer improvements.
Council members Mary Leatherman, Richard Hupe, John Betts, Stephen Alspaugh and Jim Kozumplik were in attendance. Mayor Carrie Schlade and Clerk -Treasurer John Lehner were also in attendance.
Council first moved through routine business: approving the April 6, 2026, meeting minutes and the Clerk/Treasurer’s report.
One of the primary items of business was the approval of a change order for the “2025 South Walnut Area Sanitary Sewer Improvements” project.
The ordinance authorized an increase of $10,286.73, bringing the total project cost to $418,569.73. Several sanitary taps were found during construction that needed to be replaced.
The project is nearing completion. “All of the underground is done, there is just cleanup and paving. We’re close,” said City Engineer Brian Wieland.
Several donations were approved on behalf of the council. Fire Chief Doug Pool noted that the $30,000 ladder truck repairs were successfully completed for the Bryan Fire Department.
The Bryan Fraternal Order of Eagles donated $15,000 to the fire department to help cover the extra charges.
Mayor Schlade noted that within the last five years, the Eagles have donated over $37,000 — without counting their most recent $15,000 donation. The council commended and thanked the Eagles for their continued community support.
Additionally, a $30,600 donation was accepted from various sponsors to the Parks and Recreation Department. The funds will support summer programming at the Fountain City Amphitheater.
Council also approved the city’s annual appropriations for the 2026 fiscal year.
Liquor permit renewals were discussed among the council, and members stated they had no objections with any renewals within the City of Bryan.
An executive session was entered at 5:44 p.m. with the city attorney to discuss disputes involving the public body that are the subject of pending or imminent court action. No action was taken afterwards and the meeting was adjourned.
