Brown County Commissioners approved a ban on some fireworks in the county through January 7, 2013.

The ban includes “skyrockets with sticks and missiles with fins in unincorporated rural acreage not under cultivation,” according to County Judge Ray West.   Commissioners clarified and said that this means that these aerial fireworks can be used on cultivated land in the county.

This ban only applies to the use of fireworks and not the sale according to West.

“I don’t think there is any way to prohibit the sale,” West said.  “Are you going to tell the guy selling them that you can’t sell them to someone who is going to set it off in uncultivated, rural acreage?”

West said that the ban was implemented for safety reasons because of dry conditions.

“We are finding that conditions on rural acreage not under cultivation are extremely hazardous to the danger of fire because of high grass and dry vegetation,” West said.

Other matters addressed by Brown County Commissioners on Monday:

*Brown County Commissioner approved the expense of $6300 for roof work and a walkway on an elevated fuel tank in Precinct 3.

*Commissioners approved the extension and pay for an employee in the Brown County elections office through December 14th.

*Commissioners approved creating a new classification of employee – custodial/maintenance – and the hiring of two new employees for that position at $22,000 per year each.  These two positions replace two employees, a maintenance and a custodial worker.

*Commissioners approved a replacement employee at the sheriff’s office.

*Commissioners approved the annual TCDRS plan.

*Commissioners approved the reappointment of David Olhausen to the Cen-Tex Rural Rail Transportation District.