At today’s meeting of the Brown County Commissioners Court, approval was given to a temporary lift of the burn ban.  The large amount of frozen precipitation received in the recent storm is now melting, creating a safer time to burn in the County.  The Commissioners will review the situation at their next meeting, February 9, and decide whether or not to reimpose the burn ban.

County Attorney Jennifer Broughton and Assistant District Attorney Elisha Bird spoke to the Commissioners about the amount of data storage available to their offices in the new Tyler Technologies computer system.  New Texas state laws require a large amount of information related to legal cases to be kept by County Attorneys and District Attorneys, and made available to defense attorneys.  The Tyler Technologies computer system now being used allows for 20 terabytes of information storage, which is no longer adequate.  Commissioners approved a purchase of 20 terabytes of additional information storage from Tyler, at a cost of $10,000.

Brown County Emergency Coordinator Cliff Karnes requested permission to file for a state grant for ambulance equipment.  Karnes referred to the Texas Comptroller’s Office “Rural Ambulance Service Grant Program.”  If received, the grant would assist rural counties in purchasing ambulance equipment at a cost of up to $350,000, with five years to spend the money.  The equipment purchased would be owned by Brown County, but could be used by Lifeguard Ambulance Service.  Commissioners approved Karnes’ request to apply for the grant.

In other business:

*** Commissioners approved a bid of $5,350 from Sooner Than Later Handyman Services for some courthouse maintenance work.

*** Commissioners approved the purchase of maintenance equipment for Precinct 3, a Brush Rake Grapple attachment for a skid steer, at a cost of $4,570.

*** Commissioners approved a change in their meeting schedule.  The Commissioners Court meeting schedule is currently for the second and fourth Monday of each month.   Beginning in March, the Commissioners will meet on the first and third Monday of each month.