At its regular meeting on December 14, the Commissioners Court of Blanco County banned certain fireworks in unincorporated areas of Blanco County. This was instituted for the Christmas/New Years period upon the recommendation of Fire Department personnel.

The banned fireworks include “skyrockets with sticks” and “missiles with fins.” The Order reads, “No person may sell, detonate, ignite, or in any way use fireworks classified under 49 C.F.R. part. 173.100(r)(2) (10-1-86 edition), as “skyrockets with sticks” and “missiles with fins” in any portion of the unincorporated area of Blanco County.

“The Order does not prohibit common fireworks, small in size classified as Class C Explosives.” Also allowed are “large fireworks devices designed primarily to produce visible or audible effects by combustion, deflagration, or detonation and classified as Class B explosives by the U.S. Dept. of Transportation (TEX.OCC.CODE, Chapter 2154).”

“A person commits an offense if the person knowingly or intentionally violates a prohibition established by this Order. An offense under this Order is a Class C Misdemeanor.”

Since the Order is limited to “unincorporated” areas of the county, this reporter checked with the City of Blanco and also with Johnson City and found that the governing bodies of those “incorporated” entities have not officially banned any type of fireworks.

In other business, Commissioners authorized the replacement of the case management system used by Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 with the NetData system. Judge Guthrie was authorized to sign the contract. The old system had proven less than satisfactory.

Commissioners gave the go-ahead to advertise for a new employee due to a vacancy created by the retirement of Daryl Burris from the Road and Bridge Department.

An amendment to the 2010-2011 budget was approved that would increase the travel allowance by $1,000 for agricultural extension agent, Todd Swift. Commissioners wanted to avoid the possibility of his being lured away by other entities who are offering him more salary and benefits than those he currently receives from Blanco County.