The burn ban in Erath County is officially off after rain and winter precipitation fell over the area last week. County Commissioners took action to eliminate the burn ban Monday, Jan. 13 during one of two commissioners court meetings held that day.
This followed a temporary 72hour burn ban lift that County Judge Brandon Huckabee put into place Thursday, Jan. 9. The burn ban had been put into place by the Commissioners Court Monday, Jan. 6 due to dry conditions, low humidity and high wind.
“We can watch our call volumes and see if there is an increase in fires,” Emergency Management Coordinator Chris Brooks said.
The burn ban item will remain on each agenda as the commissioners court moves forward in case action is needed.
During a special called county commissioner meeting that started at 10 a.m. after the regular called meeting, further discussion occurred on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Erath County EMS and Stephenville Fire Department, to move a county ambulance and crew to Stephenville’s Fire Station No. 2 in order to reduce call times on the western part of the city.
City of Stephenville approved the MOU at its Tuesday, Jan. 7 city council meeting.
EMS Director Cary Jackson was on hand during court to answer any questions arising.
Precinct 2 Commissioner Albert Ray asked for clarification on how billing for ambulance services work and the difference between the county and city.
Currently, the county and Dublin EMS only bill insurance and take that amount for those who live in the county while city of Stephenville follows up with a bill after insurance has paid its amount.
“We are still working through all that along with internet and time clocks,” Jackson said. TheMOUwasunanimously approved by the court.
A series of items relating to the joint dispatch center was approved in the regularly scheduled commissioners court meeting. An RFQ wasawardedtoMcKinstry to start design work for the new dispatch center.
Approval was also given to enter into negotiations with the firm for the new center and to designate Judge Huckabee as the representative for negotiations between the selected firm and the county for the joint dispatch center.
In other business the court: ■ reappointed Judge Huckabee to serve on the North Central Texas Council of Governments 911 Board of Managers
■ appointed David Leatherwood as director of Cen-Tex RRD
■ approved monthly departmental reports
■ approved bonds and oaths for newly elected officials
■ approved the Fraud Waste Policy for Erath County heard the Treasurer’s Report from December 2024
■ approved utility easement and right-ofway for United Cooperative Services for 6175 FM 3025
■ approved maintenance and support agreement with JAVS