CommCtArticle2014Brown County Commissioners granted approval for Commissioner Wayne Shaw, Precinct 3, to begin negotiations with the City of Early for an interlocal agreement to trade county owned property in efforts to relocate the Precinct 3 equipment yard for development of new businesses in Early.

According to Shaw, the proposed agreement would include a “swap” of the county’s current 2.5 acre property near the Comfort Inn on County Road 381 (Old May Road) with the City of Early for a 4.5 acre tract at the corner of Hwy 183 South and River Oaks Drive in Early.

Early City Council passed a resolution on Tuesday, January 25th declaring a public need for a portion of the real property located at 1951 County Road 381 in Early, Texas (the Brown County Precinct 3 yard) and directing the city administrator to notify Brown County of that need, to request that a portion of the property be donated to the City of Early and the remainder of the property be considered in trade pursuant to section 272.001(1) Local Government Code for property being purchased by the City of Early.

According to City of Early Administrator Tony Aaron, the talks between the city and the county began when development of the new Holiday Inn Express, next to F&M Bank on Early Blvd., required a second entrance through the development of a new street at the back of the building site.  This new street will provide access for the future development of this and other businesses and would provide an alternate access to existing businesses along Early Blvd.  The development of this street would require a right-of-way be secured from Brown County, a right-of-way which would require a portion of the county’s Precinct 3 equipment yard.

As talks progressed, the County expressed an interest in trading the Old May Road location of the precinct yard for a portion of another property, which the City of Early is currently working to purchase, according to Aaron.  The City of Early would be granting an option to purchase 4.5 acres of the tract the City is working to purchase for their wastewater treatment plant.

Shaw stated that the first part of the agreement would include the conveyance of a right-of-way for access to the hotel through the construction of the roadway.  The second part of the agreement would include conveyance of the precinct property in exchange for the option for the county to purchase/exchange the property for the 4.5 acre tract from the City of Early, which would include a new barn being built on the property at the City of Early’s expense, along with sewer and water lines installed to service the new Precinct 3 barn.

Shaw stated that the agreement would be advantageous to the county, providing better access for the county’s trucks, a more centralized location for the yard, a convenient supply of water for county use, and a larger property with a new precinct barn.  He stated that the swap would be of equal value, so as not to cost the county money to purchase the property or build the new facility.

The City of Early’s resolution states, “The City Council has determined that owning and utilizing the property located at 1951 County Road 381 for the aforesaid public purpose is in the best interest of the citizens of the City of Early and Brown County.”

Aaron stated that the swap of the properties would be advantageous, not only in the construction of the roadway, but that the city could clean up the property in that area making it more attractive for development.  “Right now it is just heavy equipment kept in a prime development area,” said Aaron.

Aaron stated that these negotiations are dependent of the City securing ownership of the property along Hwy 183 for the wastewater treatment plant, but that he does not expect any problems.  The city just has to complete the process involved in the purchase, which includes hundreds of thousands of dollars that have been spent on environmental testing and closing on the property’s sale, but that everything is progressing as planned.  Right now the agreement Early would have with Brown County is simply an option to buy because the City of Early does not own the land discussed in the interlocal agreement at this time.

In other matters on Monday’s agenda:

*Commissioners took no action on implementing a burn ban; however, they did note that Brown County is included in a Red Flag Warning area and that citizens should use caution and good judgement when considering burning.  A Red Flag Warning was issued in the West Texas area due to dry conditions, low humidity and high winds on Monday.

*Commissioners approved Brown County Sheriff’s Office employee changes.

*Commissioners approved a resolution to enter into a Grant with West Central Texas Council of Government for solid waste (rural clean up).  According to Captain James Stroope, BCSO environmental officer Troy Boulter  applied for the competitive grant which would be a reimbursement grant for county clean ups to be held at the Shamrock Shores and North Lake Brownwood areas.  The grant would be in the amount of $2187.50 if awarded and would provide 4 roll-off dumpsters and two port-a-potties for the event.

*Commissioners authorized the Step Grant funds, in the amount of $4654.17, provided by TxDOT to Brown County Sheriff’s Office to provide funds for overtime pay for increased patrols during the Christmas holiday, New Year’s, Spring Break and Independence Day.  This grant is a matching grant with the BCSO’s portion being $935 and TxDOT funding the remainder, $3719.17.  Mileage and fringe benefits may be counted toward BCSO’s portion of the grant funding, explained BCSO Captain Stroope.

*Precinct 2 Commissioner Joel Kelton received approval for installation of a waterline easement to cross County Road 410 approximately ½ mile south of FM 1689 and would involve a cut in the caliche roadway, to county specifications.

*Precinct 3 Commissioner Wayne Shaw received approval for installation of a private waterline by the Zephyr Water Supply.  The line would be a buried line with a cut in the dirt roadway according to county specifications.

*County Clerk Sharon Ferguson received approval for telephone software purchase to repair damage to her office’s phone system after a power surge.  Cost of the software is $1000 and will be taken out of the courthouse maintenance fund.

*Commissioners Court Administrative Assistant T’Anna McClure received approval to request bids for paving, seal coating and asphalt products for all precincts.