Brown County Commissioners considered issuing a burn ban at their Monday morning session on June 21.
Commissioner Steve Adams addressed the court with some research he had regarding drought status according to the Texas Forestry Service. This information showed Brown County to be in a moderate drought. Burn ban mapping of the state showed the closest counties under burn bans were Stephens and Shackelford. With this data taken into consideration, many commissioners felt that the county is getting close to needing a burn ban in place.
“I think as a precautionary measure, I would support a burn ban for now,” said Richard Gist, Commissioner Precinct 3.Adams mentioned that of the grass fires that the volunteer fire departments around the county fought over the weekend, only one would have been affected by a burn ban. Adams also pointed out that this week has a forecast of higher winds and higher temperatures which will lead to a necessity for a burn ban most likely next week.
County Judge Ray West spoke of the maximum length a burn ban can be issued as being 90 days, which if passed during next week’s agenda, would carry the county well into September.
The consideration of a county burn ban will appear on next week’s commissioners meeting.
Other matters on the agenda were:
*District Attorney Micheal Murray addressed the court regarding the final matters of the county employee changes of the last couple of weeks. The hiring of an assistant district attorney, H.W. McGowan, at the proposed $60,000/year salary was passed.
*Keith Madole explained the process needed to expend grant monies for the Domestic Violence Task Force Project. This was approved, paying a part time position with no fringe benefits, due to the position having less than 900 hours per year. The effective date would be June 1, 2010 for the purposes of the grant.
*Commissioners approved purchasing a one year extended warranty policy of the security equipment, which was $571.36/year.
