Brown County commissioners took no action on implementing a burn ban at Monday’s meeting of the court. With recent rains, commissioners were in agreement that no ban was necessary at this time.
Commissioners also considered a fireworks ban; however, with the Keetch-Byram index not indicating Brown County to be in drought conditions, no action was taken to limit the use of fireworks for the 4th of July holiday at this time. County Judge Ray West stated that the court should keep an eye on conditions.
“There are two ways to impose a fireworks ban. The first is that if the Keetch-Byram index shows us to be in drought conditions, then we can impose a ban according to the government code. The other way is if the county judge finds emergency conditions, then I can impose an emergency ban on fireworks,” explained West. “There are some ratification processes through the Governor’s office and the commissioner’s court if that action is taken by me.”
West explained that the court needed to continue to monitor the condition of the county and that he could take action later if necessary.
“We are not in the drought conditions under the Keetch-Byram index, so we cannot as a body act on the fireworks,” West stated. “So I would like to keep our ears open, eyes open between now and the season of fourth of July and if it gets to the point where it would just be ridiculous to have fireworks, I can take action and I have done it once before.”
In other matters on Monday’s agenda:
*Commissioner Joel Kelton, Precinct 2, received approval to accept the sole bid received by the county for crushed base and oversize rock. The bid was submitted by Diamond P Aggregates for $7.75 for crushed base and $9.75 for oversized rock, both prices included loading onto trucks. According to Kelton, the price had not increased since last year’s bid which was also from Diamond P Aggregates.
*Commissioner Wayne Shaw, Precinct 3, received approval of salary increases for current employees Britt McClain, Orbin Purcell and Mike Ramon. All have, according to Shaw, have served more than 6 months as road hands and have proven themselves to be “good hands.” Shaw stated that he wanted to give all three increases to $32,000/year, which is increased $1900-$2000 each from their previous salaries.
*County Treasurer Ann Krpoun received approval of hiring Clara Hammond to replace Grace Heffner, who had served as a temporary part time employee. Heffner did not wish to have a permanent position according to Krpoun. Hammond will be a permanent part time employee at the Treasurer’s Office base pay, working 20 hours or less, with a start date of June 11, 2014.
*Commissioner Gary Worley, Precinct 1, received approval of replacing T’Anna McClure with Teresa Bergren as the Indigent Healthcare Assistant, as McClure was promoted recently from this assistant position.
*Judge Ray West received approval for the purchase of a Ryobi 3100 PSI pressure washer from Home Depot. Other pressure washers were considered from Weakley-Watson and Tractor Supply; however, this model was a brand that commissioners felt would be a good strength and would be easy to get repaired due to the brand name. It was explained that the power washer would be used to clean the driveway and sidewalks at the Juvenile Justice Center.
