Burn ban tabled

No burn ban yet, but some Henderson County commissioners court members think it’s just a matter of time now.

“Praise the Lord for the rain we got this weekend,” Pct. 3 Commissioner Ronny Lawrence said. “We got a pretty good bit on my end.”

Commissioners tabled the matter during Monday’s regular court session. Commissioner Wade McKinney was absent from Monday’s meeting.

“We got the rain because it’s on this morning’s agenda,” County Judge David Holstein joked. “Seriously, I think this is definitely something we need to keep our eyes on.”

Holstein said, despite heavy showers over the weekend, the county is still in the throes of drought conditions.

“Our (Keetch-Byram Drought Index) KBDI rating is at 506 right now,” Holstein said, “and the 14-day forecast puts us in the 600 level.”

The KBDI system assigns each Texas county a drought index number ranging from zero to 800 to describe ground moisture deficiency. A rating of zero defines the point where there is no moisture deficiency and 800 is the maximum drought possible.

Commissioners tabled taking action on the ban during last week’s meeting as well.

In other business, court members accepted a $38,019.30 donation from Briarwood Bay subdivision in Precinct 4, for material cost to reconstruct certain roads within the subdivision.

“This is the fourth year the subdivision has done this for us,” Pct. 4 Commissioner Jerry West said. “This project includes just over 11 miles of roadway. It’s worked out real good for them and the county, because it helps brings these roads up to standard.”

Briarwood Bay POA President Steve Gullison attended Monday’s court session.

“It’s a win-win situation for everyone,” he said. “It’s raises the standards and the property values in the subdivision and it helps keep the roads up to county standards. We’re extremely happy and we hope you accept this donation with our gratitude.”

In a related matter, commissioner approved accepting 4,484 feet of existing roadway — Forest Hill from Briarwood Drive to Driftwood to Elm; Judy Street from Shadybrook to Briarwood Drive; and Panarama Drive to Park Street — in the Briarwood Bay subdivision into the county’s road maintenance system.

Other agenda items commissioner approved Monday include:

• a permanent loan of hazardous material equipment to the Athens Fire Department;

• a deadline of June 30 to accept resumes for anyone interested in being appointed to Pct. 3 Constable;

• July 10, 9:30 a.m. as the date of a public hearing to change the speed limit on CR 4511;

• a replat request from Stace Smith concerning lots 1-8 in the Pelican Estate subdivision;

• county expenses in the amount of $559,202.19; and

• bid extensions for the county’s lube service and inmate phone service.

Commissioner also approved contracting a credit card service for payment of court costs, fines and tax payments. See Wednesday’s Athens Review for that story.

Commissioner Court meetings every Monday at 9 a.m. in the county courtroom on the first floor of the Henderson County Courthouse on the square in downtown Athens. The public is welcome.

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e-mail cross@athensreview.com