Written by Amanda Coers – The Brown County Commissioners met just after 9 a.m. on Monday, March 19th in the Brown County Courthouse to discuss a number of items on the agenda, including the burn ban.

 

 

Commissioners Gary Worley, Larry Traweek, and Wayne Shaw were in attendance with County Judge Ray West.

“I’ve had numerous calls requesting that we reinstate the burn ban,” Commissioner Worley said.

All four precincts of Brown County were decided to be in conditions that could lead to a danger of brush and wildfires. The burn ban was reinstated. The sale of fireworks for San Jacinto Day April 16th through April 21st saw no action, which led to no approval of sale of fireworks during that time period.

A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for Central Texas. The warning is issued due to the potential for widespread new ignitions or control problems with existing fires, both of which could pose a threat to life and property. Red Flag criteria is based on local area vegetation characteristics, local climatology, select weather criteria and/or any combination of critical weather and fuel moisture forecasts.

Also discussed during Commissioners Court:

  • Consideration to reappoint members to the Brown County Hospital Authority Board: Keith Clark, Robert Porter, and Paul Waldrop. Those individuals were reappointed to the board. “No one could serve our interest better,” Judge West said.
  • Employee changes within the Brown County Sheriff’s Department: Stephen Thompson was promoted to Deputy, which left an opening on the jail staff. The Sheriff hired a former jailer to fill that position. Two additional employee hires were discussed and approved for the Sheriff’s office.
  • County Auditor presented adjustments for the 2017 year end budget. The Commissioners and the County Judge reviewed the adjustments and approved unanimously.
  • Employee changes within the District Attorney’s Office were presented, with one employee leaving the office. DA Murray sought approval for the salary for the position, which the Commissioners granted. His office will begin looking to fill the opening soon.