At Monday’s meeting of the Brown County Commissioners Court, approval was given to a resolution which supports “Legislation to Improve County Road Infrastructure and Safety” in the Texas Legislature.

The Texas Motor Fuel Tax is 20-cents per gallon, set in 1991, and generates $3.8 billion annually.  Of that revenue, only 2/10th of one percent is allocated for a “County and Road District Highway Fund,” a rate unchanged since 1954.  That rate generates approximately $7.3 million, from the $3.8 billion total fuel taxes collected by the State.  About half of all public road miles in Texas are rural roads, largely maintained by the Counties.  The resolution approved by the Brown County Commissioners, and many other Counties, would request that the rate for County roads be increased to 5%, from the current 0.2%.  The resolution will be sent to the Texas Legislature for consideration in new legislation.

The Commissioners approved some revisions to the LifeGuard Ambulance Contract.  The contract currently does not permit LifeGuard to operate more than one ambulance at a time outside of the County.  The revision would allow more than one ambulance at a time outside of the County, but still requires a minimum of three ambulances in Brown County at all times.  The contract also limits ambulances in Brown County to no more than 250,000 miles and 5-years in age.  The revision would keep those limits for the primary ambulances, but would allow back-up ambulances to have up to 500,000 miles and 7-years in age.  The Commissioners approved a renewal extension to the LifeGuard Ambulance Contract, which will include a 3% cost adjustment.  All of these changes are subject to approval from other cost-sharing entities, such as the City of Brownwood.

The Commissioners approved and authorized County Judge Pro Tem Joel Kelton to submit the Unclaimed Property Capital Credits form for Brown County.  Electric cooperatives that have lost contact with a previous customer sometimes report capital credits to the Texas Comptroller’s office as unclaimed property.  Texas law allows counties to claim a portion of unclaimed credits originating from their county, and use them for specific programs.

The Commissioners approved some temporary help in the District Attorney’s office.  The D.A.’s office is currently short-handed, and needs help in appellate work.  The Commissioners approved a four-month labor contract with Britt Lindsey.

In other business:

*** The Commissioners approved the purchase of a Caterpillar Model 140-JY Motor Grader from Warren CAT, at a cost of $345,380.  The grader will be used primarily in Precinct 3.

*** The Commissioners declared as surplus a 2007 Chevrolet Trail Blazer, and approved it to be listed for sale on GovDeals.com.

*** The Commissioners approved applications for private water lines on County Roads 270 and 294, installed by Zephyr Water Supply Corp.

*** The Commissioners approved a contract with STL Handiman Services for the removal and replacement of two sections of sidewalk at the Courthouse.  The cost will be $2,975.  The Commissioners also approved STL Handiman Services to build a concrete stand for the Letter from the Alamo monument at the Courthouse, at a cost of $850.

*** The Commissioners made no change to the Burn Ban, leaving the Burn Ban OFF for now.

*** The County Auditors Office reported that at the end of March, Brown County had cash on hand of $25,360,720, and debt of $3,754,197.