According to a letter dated September 11, 2011 from the Brownwood/Brown County Health Department which was signed by County Health Inspector Paul Coghlan and Dr. James B. Hayes to the Brown County Commissioners’ Court, the Pecan Bayou at “Ten Mile Crossing” on County Road 257 is unsafe for human recreational use such as swimming, fishing, and wading, as the water has a high bacteria count and dangerous refuse in and around it.
This refuse has been dumped over the years, and according to the letter, contains such items as broken glass, feminine products, medical waste, lumber, construction materials, rebar, metal and tires.
Due to the high bacteria count in this area and the dangers of human contact with the water, commissioners considered prohibiting swimming, wading and fishing at the bridge in the Ten Mile Crossing area. This according to Jule Richmond, a landowner along the area who also serves on the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation board, is the only easily accessible point along the stream. Richmond and a few other land owners in the area addressed the court with their concerns. (Pictured above left to right are: Judge West, Commissioner Larry Traweek, Jule Richmond, Commissioner Richard Gist, Larry Beran, County Clerk Sharon Ferguson, Bob Clark and County Attorney Shane Britton.)
Larry Beran with the AgriLife Extension Office also addressed the court regarding this issue and the importance of landowners’ and the county government’s input. He explained that a study regarding a 13-mile stretch of the Pecan Bayou’s recreational use (Mid Pecan Bayou Recreational Use Attainability Analysis) will be nearing completion and will be submitted to TECQ on January 14th. After its submission, TCEQ will determine if recreational use of the area should be limited or prohibited.
“I think the county’s input needs to be in the final report,” stated Beran.
County Judge Ray West stated that the county does not have the authority to make ordinances like a city and because the issue involves a waterway, the county is limited in its power. County Attorney Shane Britton stated that there may be some state statutes that can be addressed regarding limiting its use and that may have to be looked into.
“It is the county’s intention to make the sole function of the crossing to be for vehicular traffic only,” said West.
Although limiting the use of the waterway is not within the county’s jurisdiction, commissioners approved a resolution to be drafted by Monday afternoon by West for commissioners to sign which would prohibit fishing, wading, and swimming from the county’s right-of-way or roadway, and would ask TCEQ to close the area to primary recreation involving direct human contact with the water. Commissioner Steve Adams of Precinct 1 was to convey the county’s wishes to the TCEQ officials at the Mid Pecan Bayou Study public meeting Monday evening at the Adams Street Community Center.
In other matters on the Brown County Commissioners Court agenda:
*Brown County commissioners approved a change in the position of Emergency Management Coordinator from part time to full time status in Monday morning’s meeting which qualifies EMC Brent Bush to receive county benefits for the amount of hours the position has expanded into.
Originally, the position was part time and according to Bush and County Judge Ray West, the position encompasses many aspects, such as grant fund management and reporting, along with the general emergency coordination aspects and trainings which requires full time hours, for which Bush is not compensated additionally. With the status of full time, the county would be able to provide benefits of health insurance which amount to approximately $5180/year.
“Brent’s duties expanded, and he was given a small raise during the three years that he has been in this position,” said West. “Now we’re designating him as a full time employee so that he can have the same benefits as full time employees with no change in his salary.”
The measure passed 4 in favor and one against, with a no vote from Commissioner Joel Kelton of Precinct 2.
*The Brown County Sheriff’s Department received approval of a new hire, Robert Ramirez who comes to BCSO from the recently disbanded (due to lack of state funding) West Texas Interlocal Drug Task Force. Ramirez, according to BCSO Captain Tony Aaron, has 18 years experience in drug interdiction, is a Master Peace Officer and is an asset to the county as a new hire in the patrol deputy position. He will be replacing Jed Polnick, who recently left BCSO for employment in San Angelo.
*Commissioners approved the purchase of software for the new mobile data terminals in BCSO patrol units. According to Captain Tony Aaron, the Microsoft Office software and VPN licensing would cost $3065. The BCSO recently received a grant from Tarleton State University which provided 14 in car laptops (mobile data terminals) and their docking stations. Aaron also reported that the jail count as of Monday morning was 133 inmates.
*Approval was granted for installation of a Brookesmith Special Utility District easement for a road bore (to county specifications) in the 8000 block of County Road 133 for a residential service.
*Consideration of a burn ban was also a matter on the agenda which was quickly considered unnecessary by commissioners due to the overnight rainfall. Commissioners reported rainfall amounts as follows: Winchell area, precinct 1, received approximately 8/10 of an inch by 6:30am; May area, precinct 2, received 6/10 of an inch by 6:30am Monday; precinct 3 received about 1.5 inches and no report was given by Larry Traweek for precinct 4 because it was “raining too hard to look at the gauge.”
