Brown County Commissioners approved setting a 30 mph speed zone on East River Oaks Drive in Early.
After receiving complaints from residents along East River Oaks Drive, commissioners held a public hearing to consider setting a speed limit. Resident Charlie Carlton spoke to the court on behalf of the homeowners in the area.
Carlton stated that no speed limit was currently posted and that signs suggesting a 15 mph speed along the curves on the street were usually ignored and had now been stolen. Commissioner Wayne Shaw stated that the signs for the curve would be replaced.
After a discussion, commissioners agreed that the 30 mph zone was beneficial for the public, both for those living in the area and driving through since street is narrow with a curve and an s-curve and located near the Early schools.
“We ask that the commissioners consider if there is any way to drop the speed down, because it is continually used as a cut through from 377 to 183 and back,” said Carlton. “From 377 to Hansen Lane, there is a 30 mph zone, but not the rest of that stretch.” He explained that trucks tend to use the roadway to get around the school zones.Carlton stated that the road is within the Early city limits, but that he understood it was a county road and law enforcement did not patrol the area often.
Commissioner Wayne Shaw, Precinct 3, stated that 25 mph had been considered, but that this would probably be too low and would “catch a lot of flack.” “I don’t want to cause anyone any hardship, but we need to get these people some relief.”
West stated that the lower speed is almost impossible to enforce without help from law enforcement. Commissioners agreed to replace the 15 mph speed signs for the curves. Commissioners expressed their hope that once the speed limit signs are posted, the area will be patrolled more, especially during school drop off and pickup times.
Carlton joked as he invited commissioners to come to his house for a pitcher of tea and to enjoy “the races.”
In other matters on Monday’s agenda:
*Commissioners approved Precinct 4 Commissioner Larry Traweek’s request to trade equipment for new equipment. A 5 ½ year-old tractor, shredder and front loader are to be traded in for a value of $8807.63 toward the purchase of a new smaller tractor, shredder, and front-end loader through the Buy Board contract pricing. Traweek stated that the purchase is for improved equipment, which will be $42,200 financed through TexasBank for 5 years at 2.13%. Traweek stated that the precinct has the money within their own funds for this purchase and that payments would be less than what the county was paying on the previous tractor.
*Karen Opiela, Elections Administrator received approval for out of state travel for herself and Assistant Elections Administrator Larry Franks to complete courses necessary to obtain certifications needed. Opiela explained that Franks would be taking 6 courses in Florida at a cost of $1695 plus hotel expenses of $125/night for a total of eight nights and per diem expenses allowed. Opiela will be taking a course in Pennsylvania at a convention with registration costs of $459 plus $419 for the course, approximately $400 for the flight, and per diem expenses. Funds to cover this expense would be taken from the Elections Office’s Chapter 19 funds (current balance is $3000) and from Elections Administrations Funds (which has a $14,000 balance).
*Opiela also received permission to purchase a software program from Hart Intercivic which will significantly cut the workload and expense of mailing and processing absentee ballots by mail for Brown County voters who have requested them. The initial cost to Brown County is $7,938 and an annual license and support fee of $1,000 in subsequent years.
*Commissioner Gary Worley, Precinct 1 received approval of hiring a temporary employee to help mow right of ways in the precinct. The new employee will be paid $12/hour and will work full time without benefits because he is a temporary employee.
*County Auditor Nina Cox received approval of budget transfers for Fiscal Year 2015.
