Brown County Sheriff Bobby Grubbs and Chief Deputy Bobby Duvall brought attention to the important role Deputy James Stroope and his K-9 partner, Izzy, play in the Brown County battle against drugs.

Duvall explained to the Brown County Commissioners’ Court that Stroope has provided his own canine, has trained and houses the dog, and allows the county to use Izzy for their drug investigations.   Other agencies throughout the county also call on Izzy’s services such as Brownwood Police Department and Early Police Department.  Stroope and Izzy often do overtime but receive no other compensation.

The BCSO does help with Izzy’s expenses but requested that the county approve a $100 payment each month be added to Izzy’s expenses, which would fit in the BCSO budget if taken out of their discretionary spending.

Commissioners unanimously approved the request and acknowledged the importance of having a “drug dog” in the county.

In other matters on the agenda:

*Commissioners approved an employee change in the District Attorney’s office.  H.W. McGowan has given his notice and plans to return to Kosovo according to District Attorney Micheal Murray.  Tommy Adams would replace McGowan at the same salary rate currently paid to McGowan, whose last day will be this Friday.

*Commissioners agreed to approve a resolution to continue the County’s DWI Court, which allows County Court-at Law Judge Frank Griffin to apply for grant monies to help support the continuance of this program.

*Approval was granted for three county employees to attend the Violence Against Women’s Act Conference, which will be paid for by grant money, with the exception of $115/person, which will be taken out of each employee’s department budget for continuing education or non-departmental continuing education funds.

*Approval was given to re-designate the location of the bulletin board for the posting of public notices.  The bulletin board is being moved from South hall to the West hall of the first floor of the courthouse, along the north wall (near the County Clerk’s office).

*Commissioner Gist gave a report that his precinct is continuing to work on the federal flood prevention dams in a reconstruction project.