Brown County Commissioners reviewed electricity rates in Monday’s session of commissioner’s court.  Brown County auditor Nina Cox put out a call for bids for electric service for the county recently in an effort to save money from the current contract rate with TXU Energy.  According to Cox, several companies requested the chance to give a bid and that is why she made an effort to find a new company to serve and hopefully save the county money.

After the bid deadline passed, only TXU Energy returned with rate numbers.  The current rate is at 8.9¢/kwh.  As of Monday, the rates offered were 5.6¢/kwh for a one year contract and 6.6¢/kwh for a 4 year commitment.  Commissioners did not vote on the matter but took it into consideration for a later vote.  The current contract was effective from 2008 through December 31, 2010.

In another matter, commissioners appointed Larry Traweek, commissioner of Precinct 4, as Administrative Hearings Officer after a conflict of interest caused Jim Cavanaugh to recuse himself from a case involving the alcoholic beverage license of the Food Plaza at Southside and Magnolia.  The hearing is set for Thursday.

*Commissioners in a matter of procedure approved to order the November 2, 2010 elections.

*Commissioner Richard Gist of precinct 3 requested a salary correction for an employee that was hired on a temporary rate to be adjusted to the regular pay schedule of workers in the precinct.  The matter was approved by the court.

*The jail count was reported at 176 inmates.