Brown County commissioners approved the purchase of heavy equipment for wildfire response at their Monday meeting, while leaving the county’s current burn ban in effect despite recent rainfall.
The equipment purchase will support wildfire-fighting operations in Precincts 1 and 3. The Pecan Bayou Soil and Water Conservation District began pursuing funding for the project a year ago and was approved for $1.3 million through the Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program. The grant came from the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Texas Forest Service.
Wildfire equipment headed to county precincts
The approved equipment includes shredders, mulchers and blowers. The machinery is intended to help with wildfire defense across the two county precincts identified in the approval.
Commissioners took no action to lift or change the burn ban. The current Burn Ban remains on, even though Brown County received an average of 2.5 inches of rain the previous week. Commissioners said they believed the restriction should remain in effect.
Public-defense settlement reduces county cost
The court also approved an agreement resolving expenses owed by the Brown County Attorney’s Office to the Regional Public Defender’s Office. For 2023 through 2026, the county owed $34,233 per year for public-defense services in court, in addition to attorney fees.
The total amount owed was listed as $128,351. Under the approved agreement, the county will pay $106,409, saving more than $21,000. The county also has $65,000 in grant revenue available from the Texas Indigent Defense Commission to help reimburse the cost.
Commissioners approved a new Regional Public Defender’s Office contract for the current fiscal year at a cost of $34,233. Additional grant revenue is available to help pay for that contract.
Lake level and other county business
The Brown County Water Improvement District reported that Lake Brownwood’s level had risen 1.37 feet to 1,422.60 feet as of Monday morning. The lake remained 2.4 feet below full.
In other action, commissioners approved an adjustment to the county’s agreement with Tyler Technologies. The change will update the Correction/Inmate Records Search function in new software being acquired by the county, with no additional cost for the adjustment.
Commissioners also approved a $10,538-per-year maintenance agreement with Heart of Texas Mechanical Contracting.
Two private water-line installations received approval. The Brookesmith Special Utility District will install lines on County Roads 201 and 151, while the Zephyr Water Supply Corp. will install lines on County Roads 292 and 294E.