Burleson County approves SART protocol, ratifies pretrial mental-health grant and backs regional communications agreements

Burleson County Commissioners on Nov. 13 unanimously approved a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) protocol overview, ratified a $22,941.48 pretrial mental-health grant and authorized interlocal agreements for the regional Brazos Valley Wide Area Communications System (BVWACS).

The SART protocol overview was presented by Lindsey LeBlanc and brought to the Court in a motion by Commissioner Robert (Bobby) Urbanosky, seconded by Commissioner Vincent Svec; the motion passed with all present voting aye. The Court also ratified acceptance of an Office of the Governor FY24 Pre-Trial Mental Health Caseworker grant for $22,941.48, a measure moved by Commissioner Vincent Svec and seconded by Commissioner Urbanosky.

On regional communications, the Court approved an interlocal agreement naming the Brazos Valley Council of Governments (BVCOG) as managing entity for BVWACS and separately approved a third reinstatement of an interlocal agreement covering construction, acquisition, implementation, operation and maintenance of the system. Both motions passed unanimously. The approvals keep Burleson County aligned with neighboring jurisdictions on a shared communications network used for public-safety coordination.

The Court also heard a departmental report from Chief Rios, who reported the county jail held 48 people (44 males, 4 females) and noted open positions across patrol, jail, dispatch and school resource officer roles. County Attorney Bill Ballard told the Court he is working with Jody Tillery on a potential public nuisance order and on addressing sexual-oriented businesses and subdivision-rule amendments; the minutes record the attorney's statement but do not show a formal ordinance or schedule.

All votes on these public-safety and communications items were unanimous. The Court proceeded to other business and adjourned later in the session.