Brown County commissioners lifted the county’s outdoor burn ban during their Monday, Oct. 19 meeting, while warning that dry conditions could lead to its reinstatement soon. The decision came as the court also addressed proposed county-building remodels, animal shelter funding, wildfire equipment and staffing changes.
Emergency Management Coordinator Cliff Karnes recommended ending the burn ban but cautioned commissioners about the lack of expected rainfall. “certainly with no rain in the forecast, it might be prudent to reinstate it soon,” Karnes said.
Commissioners are scheduled to revisit the burn ban at their next meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Residents should continue to use caution with outdoor burning while the county reassesses conditions.
County considers construction managers for three buildings
The commissioners agreed to interview representatives of Waldrop Construction and Shellback Construction of Brenham during the Oct. 28 meeting. Both companies applied to serve as construction manager for proposed remodeling projects at three county-owned properties: the former Wendlee broadcasting building, the courthouse and the courthouse annex.
The interview date was set after a presentation by Jeffrey Heffelfinger, president of Southwest Architects. Heffelfinger said he reviewed and graded the firms according to the county’s advertisement. Waldrop Construction received a score of 93, while Shellback Construction scored 88.
“They’re both very highly qualified contractors doing lots of public work, both at municipal, county, and state type work.”
Heffelfinger said the main difference between the two proposals was the distance each contractor is from the project site. He also told commissioners that both companies planned to provide daily supervision and project managers at the site.
Brown County Judge Tom Munson emphasized that the county remains in the preliminary phase and has not committed to construction. The next step after selecting a construction manager would be obtaining a cost estimate. Payments to the construction manager and movement toward construction would begin only after the county makes that determination and commits to the project.
Munson said the remodeling would be needed to accommodate the relocation of several county offices from their current locations.
Animal shelter funding and wildfire equipment
Commissioners agreed to temporarily halt the county’s monthly subsidy to the Brown County Humane Society beginning Nov. 30, the date the organization’s board plans to disband. The county currently provides $15,000 annually.
Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes has said the City of Brownwood could eventually operate the Corinne T. Smith Animal Center. County Auditor Mitch Moore recommended suspending payments while the shelter’s future is determined.
The court also approved a $321,979 multipurpose tractor for county precincts 1 and 3. A $1.3 million Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program award will cover the purchase. The equipment can be used as a shredder, mulcher and blower.
In personnel matters, commissioners approved employee changes in the sheriff’s office and Extension Office. Romelia Gonzales was hired as the Extension Office business manager, replacing Rachel Howell.