Brown County Commissioners routinely see the need each year to issue burn bans. For the first time in more than a year, commissioners agreed to implement the ban during Monday’s meeting. Commissioners said that there have been 5 fires for the month already within the county, some controlled burns that got out of hand and others, accidents, such as a welder causing a fire with its sparks that could not have been prevented with a burn ban.
“We have two instances when we can adopt a burn ban. One, by Keetch-Byram Drought Designation Maps (of the Texas Forestry Service) or two, if the county makes a determination that special circumstances (that would cause a public safety hazard) require a burn ban then we can impose one,” stated County Judge Ray West.
Commissioner Richard Gist commented that precinct 3 did not get the 2 inches of rain that some did in southern Brown County recently. West agreed saying that most of the county was “bone dry.”
“I just have a feeling that we might save a fire or two by having a burn ban,” stated Commissioner Steve Adams as he recommended and made a motion to adopt the ban.
Commissioners unanimously approved the county-wide burn ban.
In other matters on the agenda:
*Proposed polling locations were approved by the court as presented by Suzy Young, Brown County Elections Administrator.
*Archive Fund Plans were approved for the District Clerk and the County Clerks offices.
*Commissioners approved the purchase of a 2005 model truck with 70,000 miles for $11,500. Financing will be through Texas Bank at the county’s discount rate. The truck will replace an older truck which has 230,000 miles and continually breaks down according to Precinct 4 Commissioner Larry Traweek.
*Commissioners also approved the purchase of a used hauling truck, a 2006 Freightliner, with a trade in of the current truck which will leave a balance of no more than $20,000 with the exchange.
*Installation of a private water line at 1100 CR 177, which requires cutting of the county road (which is a dirt road) to county specifications, was approved.
*Judge Jim Cavanaugh was approved as Administrative Hearings Officer by request of Judge Ray West. “There is a matter in which I have a conflict, concerning an alcholic beverage permit,” stated West.”
*The jail count was presented as 177 inmates as of Monday morning’s meeting.
