Breckenridge Texan

By Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan

During their regular meeting on Monday, Dec. 1, Breckenridge City Commissioners approved an ordinance regarding contractors working in the city right-of-way, approved a change order on the current street improvement project, received an update on proposed changes to the zoning codes currently under consideration by the Planning and Zoning Commission, and recognized a long-serving city employee.

Commissioners approved an ordinance establishing a right-of-way management process and a related permit fee for contractors working in the city’s right-of-way. City Manager Cynthia Northrop said the new process is needed because of the recent increase in digging activity in Breckenridge and aims to ensure contractors leave the area in the same condition as they found it.

The commission also approved a change order for the third phase of a continuing street improvement project, which Northrup said was needed due to additional work, unexpected utility issues, and increased costs. Northrup said the change order involves quantity adjustments for the installation of monolithic concrete pavement and curb at the intersection of West Williams Street and Shelton Avenue, as well as along Oakwood Street, a process that was done along Hullum Street.

“When they say monolithic, the way those curves were done, they were actually separated from the pavement. And so we’re just trying to update them,” Northrop said.  “It was broken, like on Hullum, it was broken quite a bit. Oakwood is a street that we’re going to pave, as well, so the concrete curbs being done is an advantage.”

The work also includes roadway rehabilitation of approximately 2,295 linear feet of Northglen Street, including but not limited to asphalt pre-lay, asphalt overlay and ditch grading.

“And then we had some issues up at Second and North Miller, where they ran into a very shallow water line. And so they had to replace that. And so we folded it into this contract,” Northrup said.

As a result, the change order extends the contract duration from 120 days to 150 days and increases the total contract amount by $279,698.95. Northrup said the increase was still under a 25% increase from the original contract amount of $2,433,843.60 to $2,713,542.55, which they try to stay below.

Commissioners then approved a consent-to-encroachment agreement for the property at 1200 West Fourth Street, which the owner intends to sell, where a manufactured home extends 1.9 feet into an unused platted right-of-way. Northrop said the agreement allows the home to stay but prevents future structures from encroaching. She noted that an existing fence on the property encroaches more significantly and will need to be removed before the sale.

Commissioners unanimously approved the consent agenda, including a resolution to make a new appointment to the city’s Board of Adjustment. Daniel Acosta was named to serve as Alternate Member No. 2 for a two-year term ending Nov. 30, 2027. John Powell had previously served as the alternate, and in November he was appointed to fill a seat vacated by Lesli Howk. Also in November, the commissioners reappointed Kevin Kutnink to his existing position on the board and appointed Kelly Walker to fill the regular position vacated by Turner Baugh. There is still one vacancy on the Board of Adjustment, a board tasked with conducting public hearings, granting or denying variances to the Zoning Codes, as well as other related duties.

The consent agenda also included approval of the Nov. 4 meeting minutes, department head reports, and the October 2025 monthly investment reports.

During her City Manager’s report, Northrop announced that the city’s second Citizens Academy will begin in January. The nine-month program will follow the same format as last year, with graduates recognized at the October commission meeting.

Proposed zoning code changes

Northrop also briefed the commissioners on the ongoing zoning code update, which started in May and has included several public meetings. She said the Planning and Zoning Commission will review the next draft on Dec. 15 before its Jan. 5 public hearing. The City Commission will then hold a public hearing on the changes, which is scheduled for Jan. 6.

She said the update mainly focuses on clarifying classifications and enhancing transparency. She said the city received a few public comments from the recent public meeting, and changes will be made for the Planning and Zoning Commission’s consideration.

The city has proposed replacing categories labeled one through four with classifications such as single-family size, as well as separate categories for duplexes, townhomes and mobile homes. Commercial zoning would also change; instead of commercial one, two, and three, the city would use the classifications such as commercial and retail.

“We are creating a downtown district,” Northrop said, noting discussions with the Breckenridge Downtown Development Council. The district will be “a little bit bigger than brick to brick (Rose Avenue to Merrill Street) … going up to McAmis.

“There’s really not a lot of substantive changes. I think the biggest changes are classifications and really increasing the transparency,” she said.

Click here to read more about the zoning changes.

Other Business

City Secretary Jessica Sutter reviewed a calendar of upcoming events for the city, including the chamber’s annual Christmas parade on Dec. 11 and bulk pickup on Dec. 18. Residents can schedule bulk pickup online, by phone, or through TextMyGov. She also announced holiday closures, noting that city offices would be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

The commission recognized Fire Capt. Jose Garcia as Employee of the Month. “He has been here 15 years. We can always count on him; he’s well respected by the community. Anytime people are in need, he (doesn’t) do it just as a firefighter, he does it on his own personal time. He’s one that we wish all of our employees are like this,” said Breckenridge Fire Chief Malcom Bufkin.

Breckenridge Fire Captain Jose Garcia, left, is presented with an employee of the month award by Breckenridge Fire Chief Malcom Bufkin during Monday’s commissioner meeting. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Other City employees honored earlier this year as the employee of the month:

Breckenridge Water Distribution/Collections Crew Leader Ethan Helms is presented with the employee of the month award for February by Breckenridge City Manager Cynthia Northrup. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Breckenridge Water/Wastewater Superintendent Scott Bills is presented with the employee of the month award for March by Breckenridge City Manager Cynthia Northrup. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Breckenridge Firefighter Bret Chaney, left, is presented with the employee of the month award for April by Breckenridge Fire Chief Malcom Bufkin. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Animal Control Officer Jocelyn Boggs, left, was presented with the City of Breckenridge’s Employee of the Month award for May by Police Chief Blake Johnson, center, and Steve Jennings, animal control supervisor. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Breckenridge Assistant Fire Chief Wesley Turner is presented with the employee of the month award for July by Breckenridge City Manager Cynthia Northrup. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Breckenridge Firefighter Bryan Jenkins, left, is presented with the  employee of the month award for August by Breckenridge Fire Chief Malcom Bufkin. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Animal Control Officer Stephen Sharp, right, is presented with the employee of the month award for September by Breckenridge Police Chief Blake Johnson. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator Darrell Smith, center, is presented with the employee of the month award for October by Breckenridge Waste Water Treatment Plant Supervisor Brant Thurmond, left, and City Manager Cynthia Northrup. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Breckenridge Police Chief Blake Johnson is presented with the employee of the month award for November by Breckenridge City Manager Cynthia Northrup. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Cutline, top photo: Breckenridge City Manager Cynthia Nortrup, left, and Commissioner Junior Fernandez, second from right, discuss a proposed consent-to-encroachment agreement for a property owner with city commissioners during Monday night’s meeting. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)