Approval for the repair work on the balusters and bottom railings of the north balcony of the Brown County Courthouse was granted by Brown County commissioners on Monday. According to county employee Keith Allen (pictured top), these balusters have been breaking and large concrete pieces have been known to fall to the ground below posing quite a danger to passersby.
The completion of the work is estimated at an approximate cost of $11,500 which includes materials and labor. The balcony is just outside the jury room of the district courtroom. The work will be completed by Kim George, who completed the work on the south balcony. Pictured above is Allen with a piece of metal that once reinforced one of the damaged balusters.
The cost of the repairs will be taken from the “other building repairs” account and will not cost the county any unbudgeted funds, according to County Auditor Nina Cox.
The south side balcony was repaired in 2009; George worked to replace 28 of the 66 existing balusters and railing, at a cost of approximately $14,000 which included the designing and creation of a latex mold to cast the new balusters and railings. This mold will be used to complete the repairs on the south side balcony as well.
In other matters on the agenda:
*A burn ban was not established by commissioners as all four commissioners felt their precincts were still in “good shape.”
*Commissioner Joel Kelton of Precinct 2 received approval to purchase a 120M Caterpillar motor grater from Warren Caterpillar for $108,000 financed through Caterpillar for 5 years with a balloon. The purchase includes a buy back agreement.
* Approval was granted Commissioner Bob Clark of Precinct 1 for the installation of a private water line on County Road 202. According to Clark, the installation will require a road cut and will be according to county specifications.
*Commissioner Richard Gist of Precinct 3 received approval to purchase two pieces of equipment: a 2001 belly dump haul trailer for $13,000 (for base hauling) and a 2001 Kenworth truck for $32,500 which will be financed through TexasBank on a 36 month term at the county’s contracted rate. These items will be purchased through Jim Cope.
*Approval was given to Commissioner Larry Traweek of Precinct 4 to trade in two older trucks on the purchase of a 2004 half ton Chevy truck with 80,000 miles from Glen’s Car Sales in Santa Anna. The cost remaining after the trade in is $9750 according to Traweek.
*Commissioners granted approval to County Treasurer Ann Krpoun to change the personnel policy manual concerning election services by county employees to prohibit county employees from serving in paid elections positions such as elections judges, alternates or clerks, in an effort to avoid overtime expenses paid by the county. County employees are allowed to volunteer during elections.
*Approval to continue the Mentalix Service Agreement for the fingerprint scanning system at the Brown County Jail was granted to Administrator Becky Caffey. The cost of the service agreement remains the same at $3465/year for a one year term. Caffey stated that the scanner equipment needs upgrading and she plans to approach the court in October for that expense. Caffey reported to the court that the jail count as of Monday morning was 148 inmates.
*Caffey also was granted approval to purchase a new camera for the padded cell at the Brown County Jail. According to Caffey, this camera is “pretty important needless to say” and will cost approximately $1045, which will be funded from the inmate commissary fund. Cable that may need to be run will be done by an inmate under BCSO deputy Les Rush’s supervision.
*April was proclaimed Child Abuse Prevention Month in Brown County as requested by Kitty Cavanaugh of the Child Welfare Board. Members of different local agencies that support the welfare and wellbeing of children in Brown County were present, such as CASA, Family Services Center, Child Welfare Board and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Pictured above are some of the balusters which will be repaired.
