Texas Border Business
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – The City of Brownsville’s Mayor and City Commission, by unanimous vote, at the January 21st City Commission meeting, renewed City Manager, Helen Ramirez, ICMA-CM, AICP, employment contract for two years. This is the maximum number of years for such an employment contract in accordance with the City Charter. The contract includes a new compensation package with a significant pay increase and executive benefits package that supports leadership development and is competitive for a growing city with over 1,200 dedicated employees. Brownsville is currently the 18th largest City in Texas with a population that is nearly 200,000.
“Based on her work and her accomplishments for our community, during her service to Brownsville and the large-scale projects she continues to lead, the Commission and I are pleased to have renewed her employment contract with a compensation package that matches her dedication, vision, and accomplishments; a compensation package that is at the top scale for a City Manager in the Rio Grande Valley,” said John Cowen, Jr., Brownsville City Mayor. “We are highly confident in her ability to continue to lead Brownsville’s growth and lead us into the future.”
“I would like to thank the Mayor and City Commission for their trust in my leadership, it is a true honor to continue to lead Brownsville’s Strategic Vision as City Manager, alongside our dedicated employees, and our community, together as One City,” said Ms. Ramirez. “There are no limits to what we can achieve together, we have rewritten the entire playbook for what’s possible in infrastructure, quality of life, and economic mobility, and are proving
that innovation doesn’t just happen in major metros – it happens right here, in Brownsville!”
In her role as City Manager, Ms. Ramirez has been instrumental in accelerating economic growth, achieving the City’s highest financial rating in its history, AA+ from S&P Global Ratings, closing the digital divide, accelerating downtown redevelopment, supporting the Gladys Porter Zoo’s expansion and accreditation, overhauling development codes, preparing the City’s first Mobility Transportation Plan and Capital Recovery Fee (CRF) and strengthening employee compensation and organizational culture.
In addition, under her leadership, the City has seen the tax base grow by over $1B between 2023 and 2024 thereby improving the balance between commercial and residential development with more than 100 commercial permits issued in 2024 with an estimated valuation of $144M, and 22 residential subdivisions currently in construction. The City’s partnership with of Lit/Omni Fiber (BTX Fiber) in Brownsville is providing improved and more affordable internet services for Brownsville citizens. The creation of the largest five- year $300M Capital Improvement Plan in the City’s history was approved in FY2025 with major infrastructure improvements including the full reconstruction of Old Highway 77. The City is leading the design and construction of a new Public Safety Complex, supporting the development of affordable housing, Master Planned Communities, trails/shared use paths, and new parks.
Ms. Ramirez’ visionary leadership, and that of a top-notch Executive Leadership Team, continues to foster a culture of innovation, helping the City navigate challenges by piloting new solutions and ensuring that Brownsville remains at the forefront of progress in the State, Nation and Internationally. She leads the City based on a ONE CITY philosophy, in which the organization is not only breaking down silos internally but creating partnerships and collaborations with external entities including nonprofits, churches and businesses to realize Brownsville’s full potential. She continues to strengthen the City’s intergenerational workforce, creating employment opportunities with the City’s economic development partners.
Ms. Ramirez is the first female to lead the City of Brownsville as City Manager since its incorporation in 1853. She has over 25 years of experience having worked for both the public and private sectors. Ramirez earned a Bachelor of Science in City & Regional Planning from California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo, is a Credentialed Manager with the International City/County Management Association and holds an American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification. She is a member of the Texas City Managers Association (TCMA), American Planning Association (APA) and is a founding board member of the Texas City Manager’s Leadership Circle.
