Brown County Commissioners in hopes of rain this week opted not to issue a burn ban for the county.  According to Commissioner Joel Kelton, the Brown County area is not in bad shape when referring to the Keech-Byram Drought Index maps.  Currently Brown County has a 200-500 rating based on 0-800 with 0 being no moisture depletion and 800 being the worst rating which means soil is absolutely low in moisture.

Commissioners lifted the burn ban on October 17 after the county received several inches of rain. 

In other matters on the agenda:

*Commissioners approved accepting the Vulcan Material bridge constructed on County Road 234 south of Brownwood.  This bridge was constructed to allow easier access for Vulcan trucks to travel between lands owned by the company on either side of this county road.   A bridge was designed to allow traffic to continue along CR 234, eliminating traffic hazards from trucks crossing.  Instead of a truck crossing area, this bridge will be in effect an underpass for the Vulcan trucks. The bridge is also designed to be wider than the county road so that no “bottle necking” of traffic will occur.

With this acceptance, the county also approved a continuing maintenance agreement which would release Vulcan Materials from any maintenance of the bridge.  The bridge was constructed without expense to the county.

*Commissioners granted approval for the Brown County Sheriff’s Office to purchase three vehicles which were included in the last budget cycle.  These vehicles include two patrol units and one transport unit.  Purchase will be made through Dallas Dodge of McKinney who holds the state purchasing agreement.  Light bars and equipment will be purchased through Big Country Auto Supply.  Decals will be purchased and applied by Willie’s Ts.

*Holidays for calendar year 2012 were approved by Commissioners.

*Installation of a private line on CR 153, precinct 4, was approved.

*County Clerk Sharon Ferguson received approval of replacement employee Kim Bruner who will began working November 1st in a position previously held by Irene Holmes.

*Commissioners approved imposing ad valorem taxes on goods in transit (personal property) for tax year 2012 and each year thereafter.

*Don King, county surveyor, received approval of the Holmberg Estates plat, which was for purposes of conveying intention of ownership by heirs of the estate.

*Commissioners granted approval of the 2012 Brown County Resolution for Indigent Defense Grant Program.  The county has already applied for the 2012 grant according to County Auditor Nina Cox. 

*Commissioners granted resale deeds to the following:

• James Nix:  Southwest 53.33 feet of Lot 8 and the northeast 6.67 feet of Lot 9, Block 16, Woodland Heights Addition
• Jesse Bennie:  All that certain tract or parcel of land being 72 feet by 50 feet out of Lots 8 and 9, Block 2, Weedon’s Addition; and all that certain tract or parcel of land being Lot 9, Block 2, Weedon’s Addition.
• Ruben Diaz and Viola Diaz:  0.241 acre, more or less, situated in the Samuel Bangs Survey No. 108, Abstract 59.

*Commissioners granted the waiver of delinquent county taxes on a property conveyed to the City of Bangs, which totaled approximately $102, including penalty and interest charges.