Brown County commissioners on Wednesday accepted routine financial reports, approved personnel changes in the sheriff’s office, authorized a grant application for indigent defense services and approved several purchases and interlocal agreements during a regularly scheduled meeting.

The county treasurer reported an October ending balance of $15,842,664.59 across almost 60 accounts and presented a third-quarter investment report showing approximately $67,000 more in interest earned year-over-year despite modest recent rate declines. The court voted unanimously to accept the treasurer’s report and the investment report.

The sheriff outlined multiple personnel actions and hires. He said he rehired Caleb Hopson to the Lake Patrol and proposed starting him at an annual salary of $62,000 because of prior law-enforcement service and certification pay; he also announced hires for jail and road-crew positions at $47,000 annually. Commissioners moved to approve the personnel changes, and the motion carried without recorded opposition.

On funding for indigent defense, the court approved a resolution authorizing the county to apply for an indigent defense grant program. The resolution as read referenced "Texas government code section 79 1 0 3 7" and "Texas administrative code chapter 1 73," and designated the county judge as the authorized official for applying, accepting, declining, modifying or canceling the grant and named the county auditor as the financial officer for the grant.

The sheriff also briefed commissioners on a needed upgrade to the county’s forensic-computer system to handle large volumes of cellphone and body-camera data. A vendor bid was reported at roughly $14,611 (recorded later in the meeting as $14,006.11); commissioners discussed compatibility with existing systems and approved the purchase. "We’ve gotten with the folks and set a bid to provide us with a computer system that will handle several terabytes," the sheriff said, adding the system will be a standalone device to avoid overloading the county network.

On emergency communications, the court approved an interlocal cooperation agreement for dispatch services between Brown County and the listed municipal partner in the agreement. The sheriff told the court he would contribute up to half the dispatch position’s salary — "up to $35,000 per year" — to help fund the position while it is established. Commissioners approved the interlocal agreement.

The court ratified a contract for a county equipment purchase pending final signature and accepted bids from Tony’s Concrete to repair concrete box culverts on County Roads 428 and 433 for a combined amount reported at about $24,000. The court also approved the installation of a private line on County Road 161 at the request of the applicant, and handled routine administrative follow-ups including an item to be re-posted and signed at a future meeting.

Votes at a glance
• Acceptance of October treasurer’s report and Q3 investment report — Approved (unanimous; no recorded nays).
• Sheriff’s personnel changes and new hires — Approved (unanimous; no recorded nays).
• Indigent Defense Grant resolution (authorization to apply; county judge designated as authorized official) — Approved (unanimous; no recorded nays).
• Purchase of forensic data system (vendor bid ~ $14,006.11 reported) — Approved (unanimous; no recorded nays).
• Interlocal cooperation agreement for dispatch services (county contribution up to $35,000/year) — Approved (unanimous; no recorded nays).
• Ratification of equipment contract for purchase — Approved (unanimous; no recorded nays).
• Acceptance of Tony’s Concrete bid for box culverts on County Roads 428 and 433 (combined ~$24,000) — Approved (unanimous; no recorded nays).
• Approval to install private line on County Road 161 — Approved (unanimous; no recorded nays).

The court announced it would take a break and reconvene in executive session to address matters listed on the posted agenda. No further action on the executive-session items was recorded in the public portion of the meeting.