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Brown County approves year-end adjustments, hires grant administrator, accepts investment report and a one-year bulk-water contract
Summary
During its Feb. 9, 2026 meeting the Brown County Commissioners Court approved routine 2025 year-end budget adjustments, accepted the 2025 investment report reporting $743,071.76 in interest income, approved a one-year bulk-water contract at $15 per 1,000 and appointed Cliff Barnes as grant administrator with discussion of a $17,000 annual starting compensation.
Brown County commissioners approved several administrative actions at their Feb. 9, 2026 meeting, including routine year-end budget adjustments for 2025, the appointment of a grant administrator, acceptance of the county's 2025 investment report and a one-year bulk-water contract.
Finance and year-end adjustments: County staff described routine 2025 year-end adjustments that move funds between departments to cover overspent accounts and realign revenues and expenses. The county's investment officer presented the fourth-quarter and year-end investment report, reporting an 11% improvement over the prior year and $743,071.76 in interest income for 2025, with approximately $430,000 attributed to the general fund. "We ended 11% higher than we did in the previous year ... this 2025 year with $743,071.76 gained in interest," the county investment officer said. The court moved to accept the investment report and approved it by voice vote.
Bulk-water contract: Commissioners discussed and approved a one-year bulk-water contract for an additional water source for county vehicles and operations. The contract rate discussed at the meeting was $15 per 1,000 (first quarter start date referenced as 01/18/26 in the transcript). A commissioner said the arrangement is "very convenient" for county trucks.
Grant administration and personnel: The court discussed adding grant-writing capacity and compensation. Commissioners moved and approved the appointment of Cliff Barnes as grant writer and grant administrator. Discussion referenced starting compensation of $17,000 per year and an additional administrative package described in the meeting as roughly $34,000; the transcript indicates the county expects grant work to eventually help reimburse administrative costs.
Other routine business: Commissioners discussed possible reinstatement of a burn ban for public-safety reasons and addressed mileage logs and other clerical items. The meeting concluded with scheduling and standard administrative follow-ups.
Next steps: County staff will implement the approved year-end adjustments, finalize the one-year bulk-water contract, onboard the grant administrator and monitor grant opportunities and compliance obligations as they arise. The investment report will be filed into the county record.
