Burleson County commissioners approve consent agenda, grants for dispatch upgrades and local permits

Burleson County Commissioners Court on March 13, 2023 in Caldwell unanimously approved a consent agenda that included adoption of the February minutes, acceptance of a $340 donation to the Burleson Health Resource Center, certification of grant proceeds and special budgets totaling $58,130 for dispatch upgrades from the Homeland Security Grant Program (FY2022: $700; FY2023: $57,430), and a $3,505.14 property tax refund to Rusk Energy Operating LLC.

Chief Garrett Durrenberger reported the county jail population at 29 inmates, with 27 males and 2 females. Diana A. Yarzagaray spoke during the public forum on behalf of SNIP, describing the group's spay-and-neuter work for local cats and dogs.

The court approved a mass gathering permit for Chilifest and accepted an interlocal agreement with the Burleson County Hospital District to assist with providing health care through the Burleson County Health Resource Commission; both motions passed on unanimous votes. The court postponed action on the Hilltop Acres simplified plat (Vernon and Jessica Wilkerson, County Road 201) and approved the Smith Acres subdivision application from Charles Smith for property on FM 2000. The court also voted to accept approximately $400 worth of donated landscaping material from Steve Krueger for Precinct 3.

Commissioner Dwayne Faust said he is working on grant-funded roads in Precinct 1 and noted that chip rock is currently hard to find, which may affect timing for some road work. The county auditor reported sales tax receipts of $99,548, an increase of 0.24% compared with March 2022.

The court approved bonding and deputation for Patricia Ryan and Christy Loehr as deputy district clerks, authorized payment of county bills, and adjourned. All recorded motions at the March 13 meeting passed by unanimous vote.