County adopts burn ban; fireworks still OK

• County Auditor Naomi Williams assists Precinct 2 Commissioner James Pilchiek in double checking numbers on the county’s uniform contracts STAFF PHOTO

Due to increasingly dry soil moisture, the DeWitt County Commissioner’s Court adopted a 90-day burn ban for unincorporated areas at its regular meeting on Monday.

County Judge Daryl Fowler, who was away at a conference, had recommended putting the ban in place, according to Precinct 2 Commissioner James Pilchiek who led the meeting. The Texas Forestry Service provides moisture readings.

The judge can remove the burn ban at any time if there's good rain, Pilchiek said. Land owners can also notify the sheriff’s office if they need to do an ag-related burn.

Because there is only one commissioner’s court meeting in June, Pilchiek said the judge thought it best to get the ban in place.

In other business, the court approved a 35 MPH speed limit on Taylor Road in Precinct 4 after no one spoke at a public comment time on the issue.

The court is required by government code to consider an aerial firework ban on July Fourth, but the commissioners took no action on the item.

Commissioners approved two vendor agree- ments for employee uniforms: Precincts 1 and 4 will use Cintas; Precincts 2 and 3 will use UniFirst.

The court received road reports, the County Appraisal District budget and certificates of completion for Ashley Mraz, Desirae Poth-Garabay and Billy Jordan.

Temporary right of way was approved for installation of a temporary water line along Rogge- Seifert Road in Commissioner Precinct 3 and Metting School Road in Commissioner Precinct 1; for installation of a temporary water line along Emil Blank Road in Commissioner Precinct 2; and for installation of a temporary water line along Gerdes Road in Commissioner Precinct 2.

Commissioners approved the purchase of a new one-ton truck through Ancira Partners for the sheriff’s office with funds from Senate Bill 22 and the transfer of a ¾ -ton GMC Sierra truck from the sheriff’s office to the county maintenance department.

County Auditor Naomi Williams reviewed findings in the annual deposit receipt and payroll audit.

Human Resources Director Ashley Holub requested $500 from the Health County Employer Rewards fund to feed county employees on the Open Enrollment day. Commissioners approved the request.

The next regular Commissioners Court meeting is set for Monday, July 8 at 9 a.m. to consider a “No Thru Truck” sign on Old San Antonio Road in Precinct 1.