At its regular meeting on January 11, County Commissioners, by taking no action to extend the burn ban that was then in effect for Blanco County, allowed it to expire at 9:00 a.m. that same day. Commissioner John Wood cast the only vote to extend the ban.

In other business, the Commissioners authorized County Judge Bill Guthrie to grant a utility easement to Pedernales Electric Co-op for the erection of a new 300 foot communications tower to be located in the Precinct 3 yard in Round Mountain.

Commissioner Chris Liesmann said, “you can’t turn a truck around in that yard. It’s a prime location for the tower.” Funding is through a grant from Homeland Security.

With the retirement of County maintenance worker, Kermit Roeder, Commissioners authorized advertising for his replacement.

Commissioners wish to appoint someone prior to the completion of new building projects so that the contractors can train the new person in the operation of the various new plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling systems being installed in those facilities. He or she will maintain County buildings and grounds.

The completion of the new County Annex building is scheduled for January 21. There have been some delays occasioned by the bankruptcy of one of the suppliers. Some earlier delays in the Jail and Law Enforcement Center were reversed during the recent holiday season by doubling and tripling the crews working on the project.