Brown County Museum of History made a presentation to the Brown County Commissioners’ Court on Monday regarding the ongoing roof problems that are destroying county history.
Museum President Beverly Norris, along with Putter Jarvis showed the court a recent television news feature from KTXS along with photos that illustrated damage caused by the currently leaking roof. Areas of pooling water on the floor, concrete floor damage, along with falling drywall ceiling and water soaking some of the historical displays at the museum outlined the roof problems that have plagued the Brown County Museum of History Annex for about 15 years.
Norris explained the damage in a photos slideshow and the necessity to replace the roof as soon as possible.
“It’s been going on a long time. Because of the drought that Brown County has experienced, we haven’t had the damage that would have occurred had we had normal rainfall,” explained Norris. “With every rain, there is water coming in.”
Replacement of the roof according to Norris and Jarvis is important to avoid structural damage to the building which houses many relics of the Brown County Museum of History. Without the building, there wouldn’t be a museum, Jarvis said.
Several problems were illustrated by Jarvis, “There’s the rain that is coming in, if it continues to come in you are going to lose most of what is in the building. The second problem, it is destroying the infrastructure and then where are you going to put all the stuff they’ve got because it’s going to be at least a 90 day affair (to repair infrastructure). Then the thing that is most scary is if we get mold growing over there, then the building will get condemned. Then it would be finished.”
Jarvis spoke directly to the necessity of the roof replacement, asking commissioners to find in their budget funds that were not being used to help with the $46,000 replacement cost of the museum annex’s roof.
“I’m really not coming to you to ask you to do anything for yourself. What I am asking you to do is something for your grandparents and in some cases, your great grandparents, he said” Jarvis gave examples of the rich history contained in the building such as a covered wagon from the 1870s brought from Tennessee, a Georgia stock and harness, “you see time parameters displayed.” He stated that these items, such as typewriters, switchboards, and printing presses that illustrate a time of hard labor. “We have got to keep this thing in memory of the grandparents and great-grand parents, of how they lived, the old log cabin and the first black school building in its entirety. For those of you who have not been in the museum, you really need to go in there, it’s an astounding amount of properties.”
Jarvis explained that the county is not being asked to provide the entire cost of the roof, as there have been other efforts to help raise the money, such as a recent VFW fundraiser, a grant application to the LCRA for $15,000, and $11,000 in funds that have been raised which include $1000 from the Brown County Historical Commission. Jarvis stated that $20,000 was still needed for the replacement and that he was asking Brown County to provide $10,000 and that another source would be asked for the remaining funds.
Brown County Judge Ray West urged commissioners to take a look at the budget and help find funds to put toward the roof replacement. West pointed out that there are three accounts within the county’s general fund which can be considered. These accounts include the special projects fund, other buildings fund and courthouse preservation fund; the total available in these accounts, according to County Auditor Nina Cox, is $21,500.
Norris stated that the $46,000 will cover total roof replacement which will probably take care of the problem for approximately 20 years.
Commissioners said that they would be in favor of helping fund the new roof project. Funding of the $10,000 toward the repair will be considered at the next meeting of the court on April 8, 2013 at 9:00 AM, West said.
Pictured above are Norris and Jarvis as they spoke to the court. Below are photos of the damage to the museum roof.
Other matters on Monday’s agenda included:
*Commissioners considered implementing a burn ban but took no action.
*Brown County Jail Administrator Becky Caffey was given approval to allow the current food service contract to expire in June and to begin food service provided by the jail once again. The county has had a food service contract since 2009 and Caffey explained that she believes she can coordinate the food preparation and hire 2 part time employees to supervise inmates to prepare and serve food within the kitchen at the jail for less money and have a better quality of food for inmates. The hiring of the two part time employees for approximately $12,000 each, or 20 hours per employee was approved by commissioners.
*Commissioners approved a State of Texas Co-op Program Resolution which was necessary for the county to be able to participate in the State of Texas co-op program, through which the county may buy at state contract prices.
*Commissioners were presented a plat for Brownwood DPT VIII, LLC Addition by Phil Cornett of John Cowan and Associations. The plat will be considered for approval at a future meeting of the court once all requirements are met. The plat is for a Dollar General which will be located on Hwy 279 near the Shamrock Shores subdivision according to Cornett.
Leak above World War II military unforms exhibit.
Damaged cement flooring due to water dripping and pooling.
Drywall ceiling damaged by leaks.
Water being diverted from displays.
