Brown County Commissioners Court met Monday morning, August 2, and heard several requests from schools, water districts and various county offices to receive funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. Commissioners approved some and took no action on others.  Brown County is projected to be eligible for $7,343,490. Funds will be distributed to counties in two separate tranches (slices). Fifty percent would be distributed this year and the remaining 50 percent no earlier than 12 months from the first payment.

Commissioners approved using the American Rescue Plan dollars to fund the difference for the budget requests of non-profits who took a big hit in fundraising capability during COVID last year and part of this year.  Approved was $2,400 to Good Samaritan, $8,500 to the Humane Society, $5,000 to the Brownwood Public Library, $5,000 to Home Solutions, $5,000 to the museum, $15,000 to The ARK and $5,200 to Center for Life for a total of $41,350.

Commissioners also approved a request from Center for Life Resources to use the American Rescue Plan funds to purchase a vehicle to be used in transportation of patients.  Cost of the vehicle is $41,021.  The current vehicle has over 300,000 miles on it.

Commissioners heard requests from three county school districts requesting funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.  Representing Bangs ISD was assistant superintendent Truman Westfall.  Bangs is requesting $250,000 to install fiber optic cable to increase broadband speed and better communications between the school buildings in the district.  Early school superintendent Dewayne Wilkins requested $250,000 that would be used to improve their fiber optic broadband capability between various school campuses and internet access in front of schools.  Brookesmith school superintendent Steve Mickleson also requested $250,000 for his district which would be used for COVID mitigation including installation of new HVAC systems and installation of windows in the school.  Commissioners took no action Monday on the school district requests.

Commissioners approved requests from Brookesmith, May and Zephyr Water Districts for funds from the American Rescue Plan.  Brookesmith Water District – Up to $317,499 for three large generators and concrete pads.  May Water District – Up to $350,284 for water infrastructure to upgrade the water system built in 1968.  Zephyr Water District was approved for up to $255,011 for two backup generators and new Scala equipment.

No action was taken on other requests for funding by county and district clerk offices.  The District Clerk requested $769,601.50 while the County Clerk requested $699,669.60, both for digitizing old county records which has been an ongoing process for the offices.  Commissioners also heard from the district attorney’s office and a need they have to update what was described as an archaic, inefficient net data computer system used by the courts throughout the county.  They asked for $1.5 million for a countywide software infrastructure upgrade.  Commissioners agreed that a committee should be formed to study the technology needs of the courts and various county offices.

In other business:

• The Brown County Burn Ban remains off, at least for another week.
• Commissioners approved a request by Zephyr Water Supply Corp. to install a private line on CR 270.
• Commissioners approved two employee changes in the Sheriff’s Department and approved accepting donations made to the Brown County Sheriff’s Department.