Bryan City Council Split Over Controversial Pool Ordinance Proposal from Brazos County Health District: Key Findings Revealed

On Tuesday, the Bryan City Council met to discuss various topics, including a potential pool ordinance. Representatives from the Brazos County Health District (BCHD) were there to present their research on the issue.

Kurt Johnson, an environmental health specialist with BCHD, shared that they were ready to present a detailed PowerPoint about the need for the ordinance. However, the topic did not make it to the agenda for the meeting.

The council voted 4-3 against moving forward with the ordinance. Four members felt there wasn’t enough reason to push for it now, while three wanted to explore the issue further in the next meeting.

Council member Jared Salvato raised a key question about public health concerns related to pools. He asked if there was substantial evidence of illnesses linked to waterborne pathogens.

Holly Ulbrich, an environmental health manager at BCHD, clarified that the intention behind the ordinance isn’t to create more rules but to have better resources for addressing pool violations. Currently, the BCHD can request voluntary compliance, but without permits or enforcement authority, they cannot take further action if a pool owner refuses to cooperate.

Mayor Bobby Gutierrez expressed that while the city prioritizes health and safety, many council members don’t believe there’s enough justification to establish a new regulatory framework or impose fees on small businesses at this moment. Both Ulbrich and Johnson want to emphasize that this proposal is about enhancing public health, not adding bureaucracy or costs.