Breckenridge Texan

By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan

The Breckenridge City Commissioners took the first step last week in approving an ordinance that, if it passes on the final reading next month, will double several fees that the City charges residents, contractors, etc.

After discussing the issue for more than 15 minutes in the City Commission’s June 3 meeting, the commissioners unanimously approved the first reading of Ordinance 2025-12, which updates the City of Breckenridge’s Schedule of Fees. It will be read and voted on for a second time at the city commission’s July meeting; if approved again, it will then go into effect.

The changes apply to the sections of the City Code for Buildings and Structures; Garbage, Trash and Waste; and Zoning. Click here to see a PDF of the proposed ordinance (the changes are shown in red). Click here to see the current Fee Schedule.

Place 2 Commissioner and Mayor Pro-Tem Greg Akers expressed concerns about the proposed fee increases during the June meeting of the Breckenridge City Commission. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Under the Buildings and Structures section, the permit fees for new construction, remodel — residential and commercial, and the fees for sign, fence, and window were increased from $50 to $100 each; and, “roof” was added to the list. (The new construction permit fee also includes $0.05 per square foot.) Additionally, the proposed fee schedule adds on a $100 permit fee for swimming pools.

In the Plumbing Permits and Inspections section, the fee for residential increased from $50 to $80, and for commercial it increased from $50 plus $0.05 per square foot to $150. Also in the plumbing section, the fees were unchanged for inspections outside of normal business hours ($75), inspections—no fee is specifically indicated [per hour (½ hour minimum)] ($20), and additional plan review required by changes, additions, or revisions to approved plans [per hour (½ hour minimum)] ($40); and the re-inspection fee, per trip, ($25) was eliminated. Fees for irrigation — residential, $80, and commercial, $150 — were added.

In the Electrical Permits section, fees for solar panels were added: $250 for residential and $250 plus $0.05 per square foot for commercial.

Under “Gas Permits and Inspections,” the permit fee of $50 was unchanged. The fees for re-inspection ($50 per trip) and inspections outside of normal business hours ($75) were eliminated. Fees were added for Residential Inspection ($80) and Commercial Inspection ($150).

The section on Mechanical Permits and Inspections — for installation of heating, ventilating, refrigeration, or air conditioning systems — includes increases for residential, from $50 to $75, and commercial, from $50 plus $0.05 per square foot to $100 plus $0.05 per square foot. The re-inspection fee of $25 per trip was not changed.

Under “Zoning,” the proposed fee for mobile home permits and certificate of occupancy on commercial applications increased from $75 to $100. Other fees in that section were unchanged.

Additionally, the proposal includes slight increases in the trash rates, by 30, 45 and 60 cents, depending on the number of carts the resident uses.

Place 2 Commissioner Greg Akers expressed concerns about the proposed rate changes both during the meeting and in a later phone call with the Breckenridge Texan.

“…if we raise our fees with a community that’s struggling to grow, with challenges of getting developers out here — I’ve had a conversation for the last two weeks with a big developer out of the Metroplex that would love Breckenridge, but they want to know what the challenges are here — so wouldn’t it be better to keep our fees where they’re at, be the low guy around here, entertain some of those guys to come spend their money with us and just enforce what we have, rather than raise a fee?” Akers asked during the June 3 meeting.

City Manager Cynthia Northrop said that building permit fees have not been raised in five years, and she cited increased costs for the City, ranging from employee salaries to the cost of materials, as reasons for raising the prices. Additionally, she said the fees are in line with other cities in the area.

Akers, who was selected as the Mayor Pro-Tem during the meeting, also mentioned the cost of outsourcing inspections and the lack of codes enforcement, although he praised recently hired Code Enforcement Officer J. Potts.

Newly sworn in Place 3 Commissioner Junior Fernandez agreed with Akers assessment that the local codes need to be enforced in order to make the laws effective.

After continued discussion, Akers said, “Well, I mean, we’ve got another reading coming on this, so if there’s questions, I’m sure we can bring them up. So, move to approve the first reading of the ordinance. 2025-12 as presented.”

However, a week later, in a phone call with the Breckenridge Texan today, June 10, Akers said he does not support the increase in fees and will not vote to approve it at the next meeting. “I’m smart enough to go, ‘Okay, hey, if you can kind of show me why we need things or how it’s going to benefit our community, maybe I change my vote.’ But I don’t see it as a benefit right now. I don’t see it as a benefit in any way,” he said.

City Honors

Also during the June 3 meeting, the City of Breckenridge and the City Commissioners honored several employees and out-going commissioners, swore in newly elected commissioners and took care of a variety of other City-related items.

Stacy Harrison, left, who recently retired after working for the City of Breckenridge for 31 years, was honored at the June City Commission meeting by City Manager Cynthia Northrop and the commission. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

City Manager Cynthia Northrop presented Place 3 Commissioner Vince Moore, who was attending his last meeting, with a proclamation that also honored out-going Commissioner Rob Durham, who couldn’t attend the meeting. Moore was defeated in this spring’s City Commission election, and Durham didn’t run for re-election.

Following that presentation, City Secretary Jessica Sutter swore in Junior Fernandez and Paul Huntington as Place 3 Commissioner and Place 4 Commissioner, respectively.

Northrop also honored Stacy Harrison, who recently retired from the position of Public Services Director after working for the City of Breckenridge for 31 years.

“I will tell you, for me personally coming on board, you have been a staple for the public services department. That is a department I didn’t have to worry about,” she said. “You took on extra duties, and you’ve always gone above and beyond the call of duty and exemplified the values, striving for excellence…well, everything, bold, responsible, striving for excellence, compassionate and knowledgeable. And I think you ran … a tight ship, and that’s why, you know, everything looks so great over there and we have a great park system, I think most people will agree.  … So on behalf of staff and the commissioners, I just want to thank you for your years of service and recognize you. We appreciate you.”

Following a presentation to Harrison, Northrop introduced Taylor Hardy as the new Public Services Director.

Also honored at the meeting was the Employee of the Month, Thomas Watson, who works in the Public Works department.

BEDC Incentives

Michael Paris, executive director of the Breckenridge Economic Development Corp., presented several items to the City Commissioner during the June 3 meeting. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Michael Paris, executive director of the Breckenridge Economic Development Corp., presented several items for the commissioner to consider. They approved all of the following:

• The final reading of Resolution 2025-10 regarding the Breckenridge EDC and Soggy Dog Wine and Brew performance agreement for more than $100,000 in grants and forgivable loans. Soggy Dog will have to meet certain requirements in order to receive all of the benefits.
• A two-year extension of Elite Submersible Pump (ESP) lease agreement and cash-for-jobs incentive.
• An incentive package totaling $150,000 to R.E. Dye Manufacturing to support the company’s restructuring efforts and enhance profitability through the adoption of new technologies that will modernize machining processes. The incentive is intended to directly assist the company in improving its operational margins and securing long-term sustainability in Breckenridge.
• Financial assistance to Texas State Technical College for a Fast Trac CNC Machining course starting Aug. 25, at the Breckenridge campus. The incentives include $58,570.50 for a HAAS Mini mill CNC Machine and $32,000 for eight full scholarships.

“This is not just for high school or high school related students, but these are for young adults, older adults who are in a career transition,” Paris said about the TSTC program. “… If somebody’s working in a job right now that pays maybe $12, $13 an hour, and they do this training and can walk away with around $17 or $18 an hour, that is huge, especially with a different type of environment to work in.”

Other Business

A public hearing was held regarding a request for a Special Use Permit for the placement of a tiny house at 1103 N. Harvey; however, no members of the public were on-hand to speak on the topic. In the “Action Items” portion of the meeting, the commissioner approved the request to allow the tiny house on the property.

The commission also approved the following items:

• An interlocal agreement with Stephens County naming Breckenridge Fire Chief Malcolm Bufkin as the Stephens County Fire Marshal, a position he will hold simultaneously with his City position.
• A resolution awarding administrative grant consultant contract to Public Management Inc., for the application preparation and administration services for a 2025 Texas Parks & Wildlife Local Park Grant. If the City receives the grant, the funds will be used to build a splash pad near the community swimming pool.
• The appointment of Greg Akers as Mayor Pro Tem, a position which fills in as the mayor when the mayor isn’t available.
• Authorization for the City Attorney to file a lawsuit in a case involving a fence contract if the dispute is not resolved by June 17.

The entire meeting is available online on the City of Breckenridge’s YouTube page. Additionally, the agenda and all of the related documents are available on the City’s website.

Junior Fernandez, center, was sworn in as the new Place 3 Breckenridge City Commissioner by City Secretary Jessica Sutter at the June 3 meeting, while his wife, Cynthia Fernandez, videoed the ceremony. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Paul Huntington, right, was sworn in as the Place 4 Breckenridge City Commission by City Secretary Jessica Sutter at the June 3 meeting while his wife, Yuri Huntington, videoed the ceremony. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

City of Breckenridge Employee of the Month for June 2025, Thomas Watson, right, was honored at the June City Commision meeting by Public Works Director Kegan Burns. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Outgoing Breckenridge City Commissioner Vince Moore, left, was honored by City Manager Cynthia Northrop during his last meeting. Former commissioner Rob Durham, who couldn’t attend the meeting, was also honored. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Cutline, top photo: Breckenridge Mayor Bob Sims, right, leads the June 3 City Commission meeting while newly sworn in commissioners Junior Fernandez, center, and Paul Huntington, left, look on. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Editor’s Note: This article was updated on June 11, 2025, to correct information about the May 2025 election. Rob Durham, former Place 4 Commissioner, did not run for re-election. Therefore, he was not defeated in the election as previously stated in this article. The Breckenridge Texan apologizes for the error.