Mills County commissioners reimpose burn ban, approve grant resolution and personnel changes

Mills County Commissioners Court on April 2 voted unanimously to reimpose an outdoor burn ban, citing dry conditions and high winds, and approved multiple administrative and grant items including a criminal-justice grant resolution and a change to COBRA administration for county employees.

The action on the burn ban came after county officials said local and neighboring fire chiefs urged restrictions. “I’ll make a motion that we put the, prohibit outdoor burning, put the burn ban back on,” the County Judge said during discussion. Commissioners voted in favor; the ban takes effect when the judge signs the written order later the same day.

The meeting also approved a resolution supporting a criminal-justice grant application of roughly $37,000 that requires no local match, county staff said. David Shaw, who presented the grant item, told the court the resolution is the second part of the application and that he planned a presentation to the regional scoring committee the following day to support Mills County’s request.

County staff and commissioners also approved a contract change affecting COBRA administration. Beginning May 1, 2025, COBRA administration for groups in the TAC HEBP program will move from a direct contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield to a contract with the Texas Association of Counties Health & Employee Benefits Pool (referred to in the materials as TAC HEBP). The new COBRA administrator (Willis Towers Watson’s Benefit Connect/COBRA) will charge $20 per qualifying-event notice after a transition period; TAC HEBP will cover notices issued between May 1 and Sept. 30, 2025, the packet said.

Other routine items approved without discussion included the March 24, 2025 minutes, accounts payable, and the consent agenda. The court also drew and approved a nine-member grievance committee (with nine alternates) from the jury pool and declared a 1991 International dump truck surplus and set it for auction on April 26, 2025.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes (03/24/2025): Passed (motion by Commissioner Williams; second by Commissioner Henn). - Accounts payable: Passed (motion made on the floor; second by Commissioner Williams). - Consent agenda (monthly departmental reports): Passed (motion by Commissioner Williams; second by Commissioner Sullivan). - Reimpose outdoor burn ban (prohibit outdoor burning): Passed (motion made on the floor; second by Commissioner Williams). Order to be signed by the County Judge. - Resolution supporting criminal-justice grant (~$37,000; no local match): Passed (second by Commissioner Head). - TAC HEBP interim COBRA administration (contract shift / $20 per notice after transition): Passed (second by Commissioner Williams). - Establish grievance committee (9 citizens) and alternates: Passed (second by Commissioner Henn). - Declare 1991 International dump truck surplus, auction 04/26/2025: Passed (motion by Commissioner Head; second by Commissioner Sullivan).

Why it matters

The burn ban addresses near-term public-safety risk from wildland and structure fires during an extended dry, windy stretch; it may restrict typical outdoor activities such as open burning and the use of burn barrels. The grant and COBRA items affect county resources and administrative costs: the criminal-justice grant adds potential equipment/funding for public safety with no local match, and the COBRA change signals a future per-notice fee that will affect benefits administration budgeting after the transition period.

What’s next

County staff said the burn-ban order will be prepared for signature and posted. The grant applicant will present to a regional scoring committee; if awarded, staff will return with implementation steps. The COBRA contract transition begins May 1, 2025, and county groups will assume notice fees after Sept. 30, 2025, per the packet.