Staff Report
Gainesville Daily Register
Gainesville —
Cooke County commissioners declined imposing a burn ban during Tuesday’s regular meeting, but may make adjustments in the coming weeks.
County Fire Marshal Ray Fletcher said the county is currently in drought status despite ample soil moisture, but added that the area’s “fire conditions” aren’t yet drastic enough for a burn ban.
“The few fires we’ve had, we’ve been able to maintain and control,” Fletcher said Tuesday.
Despite keeping a county burn ban lifted, Commissioner B.C. Lemons said the issue will join the agenda of the next meeting, and officials may soon decide to enact burning restrictions.
Other meeting highlights:
• During the meeting’s public comments section, Vicki Robertson of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Cooke County explained that her agency is currently attempting to help 15 children who lack sponsorship from adult volunteers. Call (940) 665-2244 for more information.
• County Commissioners approved proposal specifications for the construction of the new Emergency Medical Services (EMS) facility located at 300 Church St. in Gainesville.
• County Commissioners approved advertising for proposals for the construction of the new EMS facility.
• County Commissioners approved imposing a speed limit of 35 miles per hour on County Road 224.
• County Commissioners approved these consent agenda items: fiscal years 2012 and 2013 budget amendments; monthly bills; payroll and related expenses; allocation of funds to Cooke County Sheriff-elect Terry Gilbert to attend a Sheriff’s Association of Texas conference; approval of the use of Texas Department of Public Safety criminal history record information to obtain criminal history background information on applicants for employment with the county; reception and filing of record of internal quarterly audits; acceptance of NCTTRAC grant money in the amount of $8,408; an annual lease for equipment between Cooke County and Schad & Pulte; ratification of the Cooke County judge’s signature on an extension request form for the SHSP 2010 grant extending the deadline to Dec. 31, 2012; submission of a form to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts regarding Senate Bill 18 of the 82nd Legislature; a contract with Xerox for a 60-month copy machine services lease for the County Court-at-Law courtroom; the Cooke County Sheriff’s Office Chapter 59 Asset Forfeiture Report for fiscal year 2012; the surplus or salvage of bailiff uniforms, boots and other miscellaneous items; a Net Data maintenance agreement for the Justice of the Peace program; sheriff’s office bonds; adult probation officer’s bonds; and juvenile probation officer’s bonds.
