At today’s meeting of the Brown County Commissioners Court, the Commissioners voted to withdraw from a proposed emergency alert system project.  Cliff Karnes, the Brown County Emergency Management Coordinator, addressed the Court and explained that the proposed emergency alert system originated in 2021, and would consist of seven early warning storm sirens in the “unincorporated areas” of Brown County.  Specifically, the seven sirens would have been place near May, Blanket, Zephyr, Indian Creek, Brookesmith, and Winchell.  The project proposal was submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency in May 2022, and approved by FEMA in December 2023.  The original estimated cost was $186,696, with FEMA to pay 90% of the cost, and Brown County to pay 10%, or $18,669.

Since then, however the cost estimate has increased to $281,198.  Karnes told the Commissioners that the County would have four options:  (1) The County pay all of the increased cost – $94,502 – plus the annual software and data cost of $9,950 per year (2) Reduce the project from seven sirens to four sirens (3) Re-submit the higher cost estimate to FEMA, and if approved by FEMA, Brown County’s 10% share would increase from $18,669 to $28,119 (4) Withdraw the project.  When asked for a recommendation, Karnes recommended option #4, withdrawal of the project.  Karnes said he and the County could “explore other options for local investments in mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery”.  The Commissioners voted to withdraw the proposed emergency alert system project.

In other business:

*** Commissioners approved a replat of Sherwood Estates Subdivision, lots 25-29, as requested by Travis Tekell of the Texas Land and Legacy Group.  This land consists of 23 acres, and the replat would change this land from four lots to nine lots.  The requested replat has been looked at and approved by County Surveyor Don King, according to Tekell.  Commissioners approved the request, subject to approval from County Inspector Rita Thompson, who must first inspect and approve the septic systems.

*** Approved a new employee in the Treasurer’s Office.  The former Administrative Assistant David Becktold was appointed Treasurer last week, to fill the term of Ann Kroupn, who resigned and retired as of December 31, 2025.  To fill his old job, Becktold proposed Justin Smith, formerly a part-time employee in the Elections Office.  Commissioners approved.  Treasurer Becktold also reported that the County ended December 2025 with a bank balance of $15,957,429.85.

*** Received a Biennial Meeting Report from the Brown County Sexual Assault Response Team.  The report was presented by Jordan Cadenhead of the District Attorney’s Office.

*** Took no action on the burn ban, leaving the current Burn Ban in place for now.