Commissioners Court lifts burn ban

By LPR Staff
Editor/POST-REGISTER

After last week”s substantial rainfall, and with more rain on the way, the Caldwell County Commissioners opted to lift the outdoor burn ban on Monday morning.
Because of extended drought conditions, Caldwell County has been under a burning ban for more than a month. During that time, violations of the burning ban have sp

arked several grass fires. According to county fire marshal Jeff Wright, the fires would have continued, and been even more destructive, had the county not received rain.
Up to seven inches of rain have fallen in some parts of the county since last Thursday.
“I think it”s safe to lift [the ban] now, but two or three days of hot weather will dry us back up,” said County Judge H.T. Wright. “If something happens, we can always put the ban back.”
According to unit road manager Bill Alexander, the rains caused some damage to the roads, but no significant amounts.
“We had to close up some roads where there was a tremendous amount real quick,” Alexander said. “But it wasn”t that bad.”
Many of the county”s roads have not been completely repaired after disastrous flooding last fall. However, the county received a grant for road repair and will start taking bids on those repairs in the near future.
In other Court business:
Wright reported that he and county auditor Sonny Rougeou have begun meeting with department heads to review budgetary needs for the 2005-2006 Fiscal Year. Rougeou expects to have a report on the budget ready for the commissioners to review within the month.
The county awarded contracts on bids for road-repair materials, including aggregate, flexible base and asphalt materials, as well as fuel and oil lubricants. The contracts were awarded to Colorado Materials, Sem Materials and Johnson Oil.
County treasurer Lori Rangel-Pompa delivered financial reports for the county”s assets in the month of April.
The county paid bills in the amount of $92,544.86. which includes $2,375 for indigent legal defense.