Newly Elected County Officials Sworn Into Office

Newly elected officials were sworn in the Brown County Commissioners’ Court on Wednesday. Each of these were elected during the November 2012 general election.

Officials included two commissioners, Precinct 1 Commissioner Gary Worley and Precinct 3 Commissioner Wayne Shaw.

Other offices sworn in were Sheriff Bobby Grubbs, District Attorney Micheal Murray, County Attorney Shane Britton, Tax Assessor Collector Cheryl Nelson, and constables Precinct 1 Bob Beadel, Precinct 2 David Hefner, Precinct 3 Keith Varner, and Precinct 4 Jim Byars.

Other matters addressed on Wednesday’s agenda included:

*Approval of bonds on all elected officials which were sworn in.

*Commissioners agreed to continue the burn ban, which will remain on the county’s agenda on a weekly basis.

*Precinct 1 Commissioner Gary Worley received approval for the installation of a Brookesmith Special Utility District on County Road 202, which will be an under the road bore to county specifications.

*In reports, Brown County Sheriff Bobby Grubbs and Captain Tony Aaron discussed the need for replacement of an air conditioning and heating unit in wing B of the Brown County Jail which went out on December 31st. According to Grubbs and Aaron, inmates have been moved off of the wing due to the cold weather, especially with the next three day’s forecast expecting subfreezing temperatures. The unit’s replacement was estimated by Roberts and Petty at a cost of $12,259.00 including all parts and labor necessary for the complete replacement of the unit. The repair is expected to take between 5-7 days according to Aaron. County Judge Ray West stated that due to the repair being unexpected and not on the agenda, the court could not act on the issue; however, County Auditor Nina Cox stated that due to the emergency situation, repairs needed to be completed as needed and the cost of the repair would be addressed at the next scheduled meeting of the court on January 7th at 9:00 a.m.

Aaron stated that the jail count was currently 132 with 48 women inmates, which can currently be accommodated despite the temporary closure of Wing B.

*New commissioners Worley and Shaw will be traveling to the Newly Elected County Judge and Commissioner’s Training in Austin on January 7-11.

Pictured above is County Judge Ray West with Commissioner Precinct 1 Gary Worley as he was sworn into office Wednesday. Below are other officials as they were sworn into office by Judge West.