Although Brown County Commissioners are keeping an eye on the continuing drought conditions, no burn ban was issued at Monday’s meeting of the court. The item continues to be kept on the weekly agenda of the court.
Commissioner Precinct 2 Joel Kelton stated that there was a slight chance of rain Monday and that he felt it was okay to leave the burn ban off for now. Commissioner Precinct 1 Gary Worley agreed but stated, “We’re just going to have to keep a close eye on it.”
In other matters on Monday’s Commissioner’s Court agenda:
*Elections Administrator Suzy Young received approval of polling locations for the November 4th General Election.
*Young also received approval for the county to be reimbursed from Chapter 19 funds for work performed by fill-in employee Bobbie Harris who helped with verifying registered voters’ signatures on the recently received petition from the Silver Haired Legislator group requesting a tax freeze on homestead values of Brown County citizens 65 and older. Harris agreed to work three days at $10 an hour while verifying the signatures, when other staff was at training out of town, according to Young.
*District Clerk Cheryl Jones received approval for replacement employees. Melissa Blanton replaces Sheena Cantwell as a deputy clerk, after Cantwell was hired July 31, 2014 to replace Jones as the Assistant District Court Coordinator. Karen Carnes replaces Liz Ripley who resigned in July 31, 2014. Both are hired at beginning clerk salary of $19,500.
*Jones also received approval for an additional phone line to be installed, at a cost of $417/year, in the District Clerk’s office. According to Jones, the office does not have a dedicated fax line. An installation fee was also approved which may cost $230. This fee may not be charged if another unused phone jack is found to be a properly working line.
*Commissioner Kelton received approval of increasing the salary of current employee Josh King to the beginning salary of a county road hand, $30,000. Kelton also received approval of a part time employee, Jim Brown to work up to 29 hours per week at $11.50/hour.
*County Judge Ray West received approval of the appointment of Shane Britton to serve another term on the Board of Trustees of The Center for Life Resources Center. West explained that Britton has served previously on this board and will serve as the board’s president for the coming term.
*County Clerk Sharon Ferguson received approval for the purchase of 7 desks for her office. According to Ferguson, the office has had the same metal desks which are in poor condition since 1992. A bid for the furniture at a cost of $8038.50 was approved. The money for the purchase will come from the Records Management Fund, which currently has a balance of $87,000 according to Ferguson.
*Ferguson and Jones received approval of the Chase Paymentech Agreement for the County and District Clerks’ offices. According to Jones, the agreement covers payments made online for record requests from the County Clerk’s or District Clerk’s office. The agreement approves a $5000/per year cost of the service, which the two offices will split evenly at $2500 each. The cost will be paid from the Records Management Fund from each office.
*Commissioner Precinct 3 Wayne Shaw received approval for moving a current employee, Marvin Lyne, into a foreman position at the base road crew foreman pay of $39,846. Lyne replaces Jeff Mobley.
