Limestone County reinstates burn ban, records $1.2 million emergency subgrant and approves fair alcohol sales

LIMESTONE COUNTY — The Limestone County Commissioners Court voted on Tuesday to reinstate a countywide burn ban, accepted a public assistance subgrant of about $1.2 million from the Texas Division of Emergency Management and approved alcohol sales at the Limestone County Fair Association concert fundraiser.

The presiding official announced the burn ban after commissioners and local officials described an uptick in fires and dry, windy conditions. Following discussion, the court approved a motion to reinstate the ban; the presiding official said, "the burn ban is now officially back on." A single "nay" vote was recorded during the roll call on the motion.

During public comment, the county Sheriff told the court recent hiring and approvals have improved patrol staffing and said, "As soon as that stuff's approved, we'll be fully staffed there," adding that the jail staffing picture has also improved and that additional testing of candidates remains underway.

The court also recorded receipt of a public assistance subgrant from the Texas Division of Emergency Management and voted to make the award a matter of record. The presiding official estimated an earlier figure of "1.6" but said the county had "gotten 1,200,000.0" in funds; the transcript records the amount as $1,200,000.00. Commissioners moved and approved a motion to note the grant publicly.

Separately, the court approved a routine consent agenda and accepted the required monthly safety and operations reports; officials said there were no incidents to report in the safety packet. Commissioners also approved a motion permitting alcohol sales at the Limestone County Fair Association's concert fundraiser and auction, an item the presiding official said the court has approved in prior years.

The court recessed the public portion of the meeting and announced it would retire into an executive session to discuss a personnel matter in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act (Texas Government Code, chapter 551). The public portion ended before the executive session was called.

The meeting record shows the items were moved, seconded and approved as noted; individual mover/second names were not identified in the public transcript.