Commissioners Court reinstates burn ban

The Hutchinson County Commissioners’ Court reinstated the county-wide Burn Ban at the Monday court meeting. Hutchinson County Emergency Coordinator/Fire Marshal Jerry Langwell reported to the court that the drought index had risen to 502. The U.S. Drought Monitor reports Hutchinson County is under extreme drought conditions to the north and severe drought conditions to the south.

Commissioners in attendance at Monday’s meeting were Gary Alexander, Chris Prock, and Ben Bentley. Commissioner Dwight Kirksey was absent. Also attending was Hutchinson County Judge Cindy Irwin and Hutchinson County Clerk/Ex-Officio Clerk of the Commissioners Court Kelly Ratliff.

In other news, the court approved the county monthly payroll for $878,044.18 and the payment of the county monthly bills for $327,024.82. Following payroll, the court approved an update to the Hutchinson County Application for employment and the renewal of the Arts 2023 Confirmation Renewal Agreement. This agreement is an Affordable Care Act Agreement, with no cost to the county.

Also, at Monday’s meeting, the court heard from Prock on an ARP Grant request for funds for bulletproof glass for the Hutchinson County Justice of the Peace Pct.2. On January 23, 2023, Hutchinson County J.P. Precinct 2, Amanda Wysong’s request was denied to combine her project with the Juvenile Probation bulletproof glass project. Wysong’s project request was for $37,200. Gary Alexander said that he was at the annex each day and would work on a plan for installing the glass. Following further discussion, Prock motioned for the bulletproof glass project for the Justice of the Peace Pct. 2 Office. However, the motion died due to the lack of a second vote in favor.