October 18, 2023
Commissioners Court Briefing
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
Bandera County commissioners unanimously declined to adopt a countywide burn ban, allowing the previous ban to expire. Intermittent showers, morning mist and cooler days have lowered the drought index, which is hovering around 371 to 575 (800 is the maximum), Fire Marshal Jason Rutherford said.
“We’re not getting the heat during the day to burn out moisture from the morning,” Rutherford told commissioners on Thursday, adding the Texas Forest Service was “pretty comfortable” with lifting the ban.
Commissioners will revisit conditions during their next regular meeting.
In other business, commissioners adopted a resolution authorizing a $25,000 grant to the County Committee on Aging from the Texas Department of Agriculture. The money will be dispursed to supplement and extend the Meals on Wheels program.
~ Elections Administrator Reba Dolphus told commissioners the Bandera County Republican Party has some vacancies for party chairs, presiding judges and alternate judges.
“Right now we’re trying to run a county election with no chair and no judges in some places,” Dolphus said, adding the main priority is open and manned polling sites. “Luckily we are not in a presidential election.”
Dolphus said statutorily, everything required is getting done, however the vacancies could trigger state oversight.
~ Commissioners nominated George Sharman, Don Giles and Denise Gober to serve on the Bandera Central Appraisal District Board of Directors for the 2024-25 term. Other taxing entities will submit their nominations during their regular meetings.
~ Six bids were received for the Bandera Kronkosky Public Library roof replacement. The bidders were:
KECR (Kendall County Roofing), of Spring Branch: $91,681
USA Home Roofing and Exteriors: $124,555
FW Walton: $127,616
Iron Clad Roofing, of San Antonio: $109,200
Arrowhead Roofing: $127,905
Advantage USAA: $189.950
“We have some very good bids, some very good ranges of prices,” Bandera County Judge Richard Evans said.
After confirming each bid complies with the required specs and references all check out, commissioners will return to choose which contractor to hire.
“It looks like they’re all pretty reputable,” Evans said.
~ Commissioners approved a preliminary plat on FM 1283 in Lakehills for Dollar General, which is set to be built across the street from the library. The company has complied with all TxDOT (Texas Department of Transportation) requirements, County Engineer Dieter Werner said.
“How many does that make? Six, Seven?” Evans said.
~ Commissioners approved this year’s Christmas lights to be displayed on the courthouse and the courthouse lawn. Pct. 3 Commissioner Jack Moseley said the city has also approved the use of Bandera City Park.
He said State Trooper Chip Aragones will hang the lights from the courthouse, as he has the last few years.
“Last year, a 911 call came in that someone was on top of the courthouse,” Pct. 4 Commissioner Jody Rutherford said. “It was Chip.”
The lights will go up the week of Nov. 17, and remain until the weekend after the New Year.
~ Finally, commissioners changed the second meeting date of November to Tuesday, Nov. 28, at 10 a.m., to accomodate Thanksgiving.
“We’re not getting the heat during the day to burn out moisture from the morning,” Rutherford told commissioners on Thursday, adding the Texas Forest Service was “pretty comfortable” with lifting the ban.
Commissioners will revisit conditions during their next regular meeting.
In other business, commissioners adopted a resolution authorizing a $25,000 grant to the County Committee on Aging from the Texas Department of Agriculture. The money will be dispursed to supplement and extend the Meals on Wheels program.
~ Elections Administrator Reba Dolphus told commissioners the Bandera County Republican Party has some vacancies for party chairs, presiding judges and alternate judges.
“Right now we’re trying to run a county election with no chair and no judges in some places,” Dolphus said, adding the main priority is open and manned polling sites. “Luckily we are not in a presidential election.”
Dolphus said statutorily, everything required is getting done, however the vacancies could trigger state oversight.
~ Commissioners nominated George Sharman, Don Giles and Denise Gober to serve on the Bandera Central Appraisal District Board of Directors for the 2024-25 term. Other taxing entities will submit their nominations during their regular meetings.
~ Six bids were received for the Bandera Kronkosky Public Library roof replacement. The bidders were:
KECR (Kendall County Roofing), of Spring Branch: $91,681
USA Home Roofing and Exteriors: $124,555
FW Walton: $127,616
Iron Clad Roofing, of San Antonio: $109,200
Arrowhead Roofing: $127,905
Advantage USAA: $189.950
“We have some very good bids, some very good ranges of prices,” Bandera County Judge Richard Evans said.
After confirming each bid complies with the required specs and references all check out, commissioners will return to choose which contractor to hire.
“It looks like they’re all pretty reputable,” Evans said.
~ Commissioners approved a preliminary plat on FM 1283 in Lakehills for Dollar General, which is set to be built across the street from the library. The company has complied with all TxDOT (Texas Department of Transportation) requirements, County Engineer Dieter Werner said.
“How many does that make? Six, Seven?” Evans said.
~ Commissioners approved this year’s Christmas lights to be displayed on the courthouse and the courthouse lawn. Pct. 3 Commissioner Jack Moseley said the city has also approved the use of Bandera City Park.
He said State Trooper Chip Aragones will hang the lights from the courthouse, as he has the last few years.
“Last year, a 911 call came in that someone was on top of the courthouse,” Pct. 4 Commissioner Jody Rutherford said. “It was Chip.”
The lights will go up the week of Nov. 17, and remain until the weekend after the New Year.
~ Finally, commissioners changed the second meeting date of November to Tuesday, Nov. 28, at 10 a.m., to accomodate Thanksgiving.