Brownwood News – Brown County Commissioners held their first meeting in July on Monday, July 6.  All members of the Commissioners Court were present.

Commissioners voted 5-0 to approve salaries for new personnel within the County Judge’s Office, resulting from the recent dismissal of two employees.  Approved as Brown County Emergency Management Coordinator is Darrell Johnston, formerly with the Brownwood Fire Department.  Hired as Court Coordinator was Stephanie Upfold.

Commissioners heard a presentation from District Judge Stephen Ellis.  Because of the pandemic, District Court has been prohibited from having jury trials since March, Ellis said.  Without jury trials Ellis said the Court is unable to move a majority of tough cases, criminal and civil.  To facilitate trials away from the Courthouse, if needed, Commissioners approved a contract with Howard Payne University to be able to hold court cases on their campus between July 27 and December.  As of now, District Court is authorized to have a trial on July 27.

Commissioners voted 5-0 authorizing creation of a budget line within the Office of Emergency Management for the Brown County Chaplain Emergency Services.  They also authorized acceptance of a donation to the Chaplain program in the amount of $150.00 from Forbess Insurance Agency.  Chaplin Dave Fair spoke on behalf of the program saying these unpaid volunteer chaplain positions are held by himself, Tim Skaggs, Rick Phelps and Emmanuel Jimenez.

The burn ban in Brown County remains in effect for now as Commissioners took no action to lift the ban.

No action was taken on possibly adding a third cleaning person to the courthouse cleaning staff.