Stephens County Commissioners lift burn ban
At their meeting on Monday, Sept. 9, Stephens County commissioners voted to lift a countywide burn ban and approved a copier contract expected to save nearly $16,000 over the course of the five-year contract.
The burn ban was rescinded following a recommendation from Stephens County Constable Wayne McMullen, who also serves as the county’s fire marshal.
“My recommendation is we take the burn ban off,” McMullen said. “We’ve had some significant rainfall across the county. We’ve had some cooler temperatures. I think we can have it off, let some of the farmers and ranchers get some of the things they need done.”
The commissioners had enacted the burn ban in June and then upgraded it last month as daily temperatures exceeded 100 degrees and several fires burned in the county. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI), an index used to determine forest fire potential, has dropped to an average of 273 for Stephens County on Tuesday, Sept. 10, with a low of 55 in the southern part of the county and a high of 473 in the northeastern corner, according to the online KBDI map. In August, the KBDI for the county had reached the severe drought stage.
In Monday’s meeting, commissioners also unanimously approved a five-year contract with Abilene-based All Copy for new multi-function printers in county offices. The contract, costing $1,197.20 per month, includes removing redundant devices and consolidating printer types.
In other business, the court:
— Amended the budget to cover $668.86 in required training for the county veterans officer.
— Renewed the Ameritas vision care plan for county employees, noting a slight increase in cost.
— Authorized the use of loan funds for asphalt work on County Road 241 in Precinct 3, estimated at $50,000. Commissioner Will Warren said, “I’m just going to do a hot mix and cover that road if I can get some dumpsters removed from it.”
— Approved the use of $487.72 in loan funds for equipment purchases from Fire Penny for Precinct 1.
— Accepted a $125,427 bid from Bruckner’s Truck and Equipment of Wichita Falls for a Mac day cab truck with a 500 horsepower motor and automatic transmission for Precinct 3.
Cutline, top photo: Stephens County Constable Wayne McMullen, who also serves as the county’s fire marshal, recommends the county-wide burn ban be lifted during Monday’s commissioner meeting. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
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