Brown County Commissioners voted unanimously to reduce pay to jurors effective September 28, 2011.

According to county auditor Nina Cox, the 82nd Legislature of Texas has changed how the county can pay jurors; no longer requiring the county to pay money in addition to the amount the state will reimburse.

“Currently we pay $6 for the first day; we pay $40 for every day of service after that,” said Cox.  “The Legislature is now allowing us to lower that to $6 for the first day; $28 for each day thereafter.”

Although no longer required, Cox said the county still has the option to pay jurors more than the state reimbursement of $28.  After Monday’s vote by commissioners however, jurors will now be paid the reduced rate of $28 per day from the second day forward for their service on the jury without any additional money from the county.

In other matters on Monday’s commissioners court agenda:

*Commissioners approved a Proclamation declaring October 4, 2011 as National Night Out.

*Commissioners Larry Traweek of Precinct 4 and Richard Gist of Precinct 3 received approval of a part-time employee.  Commissioner Traweek stated that the salary for the part time employee had been $8.53/hour and the new wage would be $11.50/hour due to the need for expertise when cutting roads.

*Approval was granted for installation along County Road 217 of a utility line with poles along fence lines by Sharryland Utilities (previously Caprock and McCullough County Electric).

*Approval was granted to install a buried water line along CR 170 by Brookesmith SUD, which will require a cut through a dirt road.

*Installation of a private line on CR 463 for a Verizon line installation, with no cuts to the road, will run along the fence line.

*Commissioner Gist received approval for hiring a part time employee for concrete work at a wage of $11.50/hour.

*Elections coordinator Suzy Young received approval for the purchase of an overhead door for the elections truck from Todco.  The current door has extensive wood rot and needs replacing.  The cost of the door is $633 according to Young and is within their current budget.  To save the county money, Larry Franks and other elections employees will install the door.