Court enacts burn ban at Monday’s meeting
Due to the county’s Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) reading averaging above 500, the court approved the implementation of a burn ban at the Lavaca County Commissioners’ Court Monday morning meeting.
The ban was originally put in place through an executive order signed by County Judge Keith Mudd on Thursday, Aug. 22.
Lavaca County EMS assistant director Tim Decker said the present KBDI reading as of Monday morning was 549.
Decker said despite some areas in the county having received rain, the average has gone below the 500 average.
“We had some rains in the past a n d h a d some grass growth. We did have some green grass, but the grass that didn’t see rain has died,” Decker said. “With the rain coming that’s good and we will get some in the soil, but the heat, it’s extracted quickly.”
Site Lease Agreement
Lavaca County EMS director Michael Furrh spoke to the court regarding a lease agreement to place county communications system equipment on a tower located north of Moulton.
Furrh said they have been in discussion for some time to find a third tower site.
He said they have a tower site, owned by the county and located in the Hallettsville area. They also worked out an agreement with Baytex Oil and Gas to utilize a tower on CR 335 near Shiner,
However, the third tower was originally the Moulton water tower, but there is a problem with the elevation.
Furrh said they finally worked an agreement for the use of a tower north of Moulton that would help have communication with all responders in throughout the county.
The agreement is with Tillman Infrastructure, LLC and the landowner or holder of interest of the property located at 1677 CR 285 near Moulton.
Furrh said the agreement is for a five-year lease with a 180-day notice of termination following the five years. Also, cost for leasing the tower is $2,000 a year with a 2% increase each year.
Furrh said this isa short-term plan and the long-term goal is to find a permanent site.
The court approved the agreement.
Records Management
The court approved a plan for collecting Records Management and Preservation filing fees at $10 for filing a document in the County Clerk’s office.
It also approved the plan for collecting the Records Management and Preservation fees to fund those services for documents in the District Clerk’s office. The fee was set at $10 per service.
Miscellaneous
Due to the county not receiving bids for purchasing quicklime, pebble bulk and powder lime to help build and improve county roads, the court approved the precincts to purchase these products despite not getting required bids.
The court approved a certificate of exemption from subdivision requirements for Eduardo and Marie Luna.
In other action taken by the court:
• Approved an engagement letter with KM&L to perform external audit services for the fiscal year ending in 2024.
• Approved an EMS update.
• Approved a public safety communications committee update.
• Tabled the selling of a 2014 Dodge Ram 3500 Frazer ambulance.
County Judge Keith Mudd presided over the meeting with commissioners Edward Pustka, Wayne Faircloth, Kenny Siegel and Dennis W. Kocian attending.