Erath County is now under a burn ban for the next 90 days.
Commissioners placed the county into a burn ban Monday, Jan. 12 after an emergency burn ban was enacted by County Judge Brandon Huckabee on Friday, Jan. 9 for 72-hours due to winds and low humidity.
“It’s time,” he said. “We track this on a daily basis and it’s been low [drought conditions] almost every day.”
Huckabee said the county was still bouncing between moderate and low, but the county had seen some fires caused by welding and some roadside fires.
The court also received some really good news regarding the courthouse from Norman Alston with Norman Alston Architects.
Alston, who was one of the original restoration architects for the courthouse in its 2000-02 restoration, was contacted because of concerns with some issues beginning to occur such as cracks in the walls.
A qualified structural engineer worked with Alston to examine the courthouse and found no real concerns other than just normal, minor items.
“She is very knowledgeable and I’m very comfortable with her recommendations,” Alston said.
Alston said that the county could possibly apply for some funding through the Texas Historical Commission to get in front of regular upkeep items such as the deterioration of the soft stone used in the exterior of the courthouse.
“The needs are not as concentrated or as serious as we thought,” he said. “It’s very advantageous to get out in front of it.”
“No structural is great news,” Huckabee said. “I’m really glad the structural engineer didn’t recommend cutting down the four giant trees.”
The court also approved the infrastructure development plan for La Sombra, a manufactured home rental community near Dublin.
Subdivision coordinator Jason Gardner said he and County Engineer Joe England reviewed the plan and everything looked good. They said the water is coming through the city of Dublin, and a pre-development meeting would be the next step.
A software and service agreement between Erath EMS and Vector Solutions was approved which will help with any training they do, tracking supplies on units and tracking narcotics.
“Dublin was using this and really likes it,” EMS Director Cary Jackson said about the product. “It can help get us away from so much paper.”
In other business the court: ■ Received and filed the racial profiling report for the sheriff’s office received and filed the racial profiling report for constable precinct 1
■ Gave approval to precinct 2 to clear fence row, improve drainage and remove dead trees along CR 401
■ Approved the December 2025 treasurers report
■ Approved paying the bills Erath County Commissioners Court is held the second and fourth Monday of each month, and meetings are open to the public. Meetings are held on the second floor of the downtown Stephenville courthouse located at 100 W. Washington.