A special meeting of the Blanco County Commissioners Court was held on Tuesday morning, September 25, 2012.  Commissioners took action on several items.  According to County Judge Bill Guthrie,

the current burn ban has been essentially lifted after the substantial rainfall Blanco County received about ten days ago.

Judge Guthrie asked the court to consider lifting the burn ban completely.  A short period of discussion followed, and the court approved the motion to lift the burn ban.

Judge Guthrie asked the commissioners to consider designating the day of the week on which the Blanco County Commissioners Court convenes in a regular term.  The designation of the day of the week for Commissioner Court meetings is voted on each year.  Commissioners voted to maintain the current meeting schedule, and will continue to meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 9:00 am.

Commissioners were asked by Judge Guthrie to consider fees for civil services by the Sheriff’s and Constables’ offices for 2013.  Texas Local Government Code Section 118.131 requires these fees to be voted on annually.  The commissioners voted to maintain the same fee schedule for 2013 as has been in effect for 2012.

In other business, the court was asked to consider the acceptance of administrative orders from the 33rd and 424th Judicial District Courts.  These orders establish the compensation and expenses of court reporters and the auditor for Blanco County, and the orders are open to the public.  County commissioners voted to accept the administrative orders, and it was noted this item is included in the proposed county budget.

A discussion was conducted regarding increasing the State Comptroller’s Judiciary Section option to increase county reimbursement amount for juror service fees.  According to District Clerk Debby Elsbury,

Senate Bill 1 has decreased the amount of the Comptroller’s refund.

Furthermore, this amount is determined by the state, and is therefore subject to variation.  The concern by Elsbury was that because the rate is variable that

jurors get paid an appropriate amount.

County Commissioner Chris Liesmann proposed increasing the reimbursement by $6 per day, and County Commissioner James Sultemeier asked how the reimbursements will be administered.  Commissioners approved a measure to increase the county reimbursement amount for juror service fee by $6 per day, for a total of $36 per day, and this action should help to address the variations in the state rate.

A replat of lots Common Reserve E-1 and 118C in the Ranches of Brushy Top subdivision was presented by resident Oak Smith.  The area between lot 118C and a narrow strip includes a footbridge that is in need of repair and should be made safe for traffic.  The replat calls for a small portion of lot 118C to be included in Common Reserve E-1, and the biking and hiking trails re-routed.  Judge Guthrie asked if there were objections to accepting the replat and the court noted there are no current concerns by residents and lot 118C is presently owned by the developer.  The court voted to allow the replat of lots Common Reserve E-1 and 118C in the Ranches of Brushy Top subdivision.

Blanco County Commissioners also voted to authorize Judge Guthrie to continue the contract with the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Failure to Appear Program.  The program is offered by the Driver License Division under Transportation Code Chapter 706, and the contract was amended due to changes to the code which occurred during the 82nd Legislative Session. The court also approved payment of outstanding bills in the amount of $80,836.80.