Monday’s Commissioners’ Court meeting found all in agreement that a burn ban is not necessary this week. It will again be present on the agenda for next week.
A ban on fireworks was also discussed. Commissioners agreed that the county has overall had a good amount of rain for this time of year and most precincts seemed safe to consider firework sales and use during the 4th of July.
“This court hates to put any restrictions on the public”, stated Commissioner Steve Adams.
Commissioner Richard Gist of Precinct 3 had different feelings stating, “I don’t really lean toward the aerial type. I’d rather have some restriction on it,” and then making a motion to put a fireworks ban into place.
“We don’t appear to be in any severe drought situation”, stated West who then showed the court a recent drought map.
Commissioner Gist’s motion for the restriction on fireworks did not receive a second and ended the discussion. There will be no ban on the use or sales of fireworks unless conditions across the county weaken in the next week. If that situation occurs, a special meeting will be called before the June 15th deadline for such a ban.
In other business:
*Judge Ray West told the court that Brent Bush had reported over the weekend that the Thunderbird Bay Water Service over the weekend was appointed a temporary manager, removing the current manager. He explained that, “The state has put in place a new management system that will pay for replacement and proper chemicals to restore the system.” He further stated that at a later date, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will place the water system into a temporary or permanent receivership. At that time water companies, such as Zephyr Water and the Brookesmith Special Utility District can ask to have the system placed under their management, being qualified due to these companies already having service in the general area.
“I commend Brent Bush for his dedicated service to the people in that area,” stated West.
Russ Davis, President of the Harbor Point Owners’ Association, stated that “due to the repairs of a previous manager being haphazard at best, when pressure is brought back up…problems of the main leaks not done correctly will take an extended time to repair.”
Davis noted that the new management company found three things immediately that needed repair and could quickly be implemented. Within the first 48 hours of this, improvement could already be seen. Davis thanked Commissioner Joel Kelton for his suggestion of the Uvalde material that has been used successfully and tremendously helped during this process.
*Becky Caffey, Brown County Jail Administrator, spoke of Five Star Correctional Services reporting on the costs of meals at the Brown County Jail. Currently $161,000 of the $249,000 grocery budget has been spent, which is nearly 65% of the budget. The current contract Five Star has with Brown County allows a yearly price redetermination. With the costs incurred a $0.03 increase necessary. The current cost of one meal is $1.337. With the increased jail population costs have increased, however maintenance has been under budget and grocery costs have remained the same, making the necessary increase very minimal. Commissioners approved the redetermination of the cost increase after a short discussion.
*Tony Aaron of the Brown County Sheriffs Office reported on the environmental grant that the county has reapplied to receive. This grant has been given to the county the past two years. This year will be the final year, providing a 50% payment of cost of an environmental officer. Money from the grant was reported at just over $28,000, with a cash matching from the county of $27,630 and an in kind match of $20,000.
“I think it’s working very well,” commented Aaron who also explained how a vehicle for this position was also able to be acquired with grant money and discretionary funds.
Commissioners continued to approve the progress of this grant.
* The Brownwood Public Library Funding Agreement needed renewing and was brought before the court. There is currently $30,000 in the county budget to allow free public library access to Brown County citizens. Commissioners approved this agreement renewal.
*County Clerk Sharon Ferguson told commissioners that old records in her office need to be destroyed. Ferguson reported that Angelo Archives is the company of choice for this disposal because they have a covered truck and provide certification once records have been destroyed. The charge is $0.25 per pound, which estimated, makes the job cost around $800-1000, which is in the records management fund.
