At today’s meeting of the Brown County Commissioners Court, approval was given to the reinstatement of a burn ban in Brown County.  The burn ban has been off for a couple of months following heavy rains in autumn, but the Commissioners stated that recent dry conditions require the burn ban to be re-activated.  Fireworks for the Christmas and New Year holidays, however, will still be allowed.

The Commissioners voted to grant Commissioner Joel Kelton the authority to sign documents on behalf of the Commissioners Court on matters voted upon in public meetings.  Commissioner Kelton is currently serving as Brown County Judge Pro Tem.  This authority “shall remain in place until the suspension of County Judge Shane Britton is resolved or until further order of the court.”

Commissioners appointed a new County Investment Officer.  County Treasurer Ann Krpoun is currently the County Investment Officer, but she is retiring effective December 31.  Assistant Treasurer David Becktold, who has been appointed to serve as County Treasurer from January 1 through December 31, 2026, holds a County Investment Officer certification from the State of Texas.  Commissioners voted to appoint Becktold as County Investment Officer for Brown County for January 1 through December 31, 2026.

Emergency Management Coordinator Cliff Karnes addressed the Commissioners concerning an unused ambulance which is owned by Brown County.  The ambulance was donated to Brown County in 2021 by Global Medical Response, parent company of the Lifeguard Ambulance service.  The ambulance has not been used in two years, and Karnes proposed to declare it as surplus property.  The Commissioners did so, and gave Karnes the authority to list and sell the ambulance on GovDeals.com.

Sheriff Vance Hill proposed two donations to the Sheriff’s Office:  $15,000 from the Stephen and Mary Birch Foundation, and $1,000 from an anonymous source.  Commissioners voted to accept both donations.