The Callahan County Commissioners Court on Nov. 24 approved several routine and project-related actions, including adoption of a revised county facilities policy with a wording change, lifting the county burn ban, equipment purchases for road maintenance, surplus property designations and required bond approval for the new treasurer.

On the facilities policy, court discussion centered on whether to refer to the building floor as the "lower level" or "basement." Staff said the Texas Historical Commission had advised against using the term "basement" for a publicly used floor, while the court agreed to adopt the policy with every occurrence of "lower level" changed to "basement." A motion to approve the facilities policy with that exception passed with no recorded opposition.

The court lifted the countywide burn ban after a motion by Commissioner Windham and a second by Commissioner Clark; the motion passed with the court recording "all in favor, none opposed." The court also approved the consent agenda and accepted the sheriff's report, which listed a total of 21 inmates across county and regional facilities and dispatch overtime of 7.75 hours for the reporting period.

On facilities and construction, staff updated the court that fixed furniture installation will continue and that a contractor will finish fixed furniture in December; staff also reported a pump-capacity issue in the geothermal system for which designers and contractors are working on a solution.

For fleet and equipment, the court declared a 2021 sheriff's pickup surplus to be disposed of by trade-in (a quoted trade-in value of $22,000) and approved donating a surplus nutrition-program computer to the nutrition program moving offices to Clyde. Commissioners approved purchase of two John Deere motor graders for Precinct 4 at a reported $328,000 each with a $175,000 buyback option; the court approved financing through John Deere at a reported 3.99% interest rate.

The court also approved the required bond for newly appointed Treasurer Debbie Modrill and concluded the meeting by adjourning at 10:04 a.m.