Ele Chew, reporter
In addition to the highlights at the DeWitt County Commissioners Court regular meeting in March of the retirement of Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 Peggy Mayer and the Child Abuse Awareness proclamation, a 90-day burn ban as well as a number of other decisions were taken.
Burn Ban and Two Devastating Fires
Due to severe drought conditions, with a drought index of 501, a 90-day burn ban went into effect at 6 p.m. on March 24, and will expire at 6 a.m. on June 22 (unless the court rescinds it earlier).
“Consistent drought is evident as you travel up and down the highways and byways of the county. There are no wildflowers,” proclaimed Judge Daryl Fowler.
Tragically, with the dry conditions, two devastating fires occurred back-to-back, resulting in the complete loss of homes. The first fire struck at 708 Lakeside Drive, the residence of Cuero’s beloved Dr. David and Janie Hill, on March 23. The second fire happened at 834 Metting School Rd. in Yorktown on March 24.
Other topics
The Court received the jail inspection report; the Keep Cuero Beautiful letter regarding the survey of litter on DeWitt County properties; Certificate of Completion from the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas for Commissioner James Kaiser for completing the continuing education provisions of Article 81.0025 of the Texas Local Government code for 2024, Sole source affidavit from P2 Emulsion; First National Bank of Shiner Board of Directors Minutes and Resolution ratifying and adopting Depository Bid, approving and adopting the County Depository Pledge Contract; County Depository Pledge Contract from First National Bank of Shiner pledging securities with TIB for the protection of DeWitt Counties; designation of First National Bank of Shiner as the County Depository bank, for county funds for the next two years beginning May 15, 2025, through May 15, 2027; request for the county auditor to advertise for requests for qualifications (RFQ) for architectural services for a new West Annex building project in Yorktown; request to authorize the County Auditor to advertise for request for proposals (RFP) for the Bates-Sheppard House, De Witt County Historical Museum Exterior Repairs and Restoration; County Auditor's Semi-Monthly Reports - March 1-20, 2025; report from the Auditor showing records and proceeds from the sale of salvage or surplus property.
The Court approved the adoption of a resolution supporting Senate Bill and House Bill 3000 to provide critical funding for rural emergency medical services; food service vendor contract with Performance Food Service for food service at the County Jail; project agreement form between Texas Department of Criminal Justice and DeWitt County for prison labor at the DeWitt County Historical Museum with effective dates of May 1 through July 29, 2025; the permit application from Qwik Pipe Inc. for the installation of a temporary water line along Metting Road and Metting School road in Commissioner Pct. 3. Out-of-state training request and associated travel expenses for De Witt County Ag Ext Agent Denise Goebel; Accounts Payable; Ratified Accounts Payable; Budget Amendment Requests; Personnel Policy; Payroll Report; and Jury Report.
The next regular Commissioners Court meeting will be held at 9:00 a.m. at the DeWitt County Courthouse on April 14.
