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Hemphill County enacts 45-day burn ban, approves sheriff vehicles, airport tower and budget amendments
Summary
At its Oct. 13 meeting, the Hemphill County Commissioners' Court enacted a 45-day burn ban, approved the purchase of two vehicles for the Sheriff's Office using SB22 funds ($159,000), authorized a $95,172 airport tower and adopted budget amendments affecting the CVFD.
Hemphill County Judge Lisa Johnson presided over the Commissioners' Court on Oct. 13, 2025. The court enacted a countywide 45-day burn ban and approved a series of budget and procurement measures, including purchase of two vehicles for the Sheriff's Office and a new tower and beacon at the Hemphill County Airport.
The burn ban motion was introduced by Commissioner Dale Schafer and seconded by Commissioner Dawn Webb; the court approved it unanimously. Commissioners said the restriction was intended to address current fire-risk conditions. No public comments were recorded during the meeting's public-comment period.
Commissioner Tim Alexander moved to purchase two vehicles for the Sheriff's Office using SB22 funds at a total cost of $159,000.00; Commissioner Dawn Webb seconded and the motion carried without opposition. The court also approved a vendor quote from B‑C Company, Inc. for a new tower and beacon at the Hemphill County Airport in the amount of $95,172.00 after a motion from Alexander and second by Commissioner Nicholas Thomas.
The court approved personnel appointments and reappointments. Commissioner Dawn Webb moved to reappoint Ochiltree County Sheriff Terry Bouchard to the Texas Panhandle Centers Board of Trustees for a two‑year term; the motion carried unanimously. Separately, Commissioner Dale Schafer moved to appoint Commissioner Dawn Webb to the Hemphill County Appraisal District Board of Directors for the 2026–2027 term; Commissioner Tim Alexander seconded and the motion passed with Webb recorded as abstaining.
The court voted to join TexBuy, a cooperative purchasing program, by adopting a resolution to enter an interlocal agreement with Region 16; that motion passed without opposition. Commissioners also approved a revised agreement with TxDOT for maintenance of the Big Timber Rest Area.
County Extension Agent Tanya Holloway delivered the AgriLife Extension report and introduced local 4‑H members, naming Collier Cook (president) and Ella Spence (secretary) among others. The Economic Development Corporation's request to fund additional college rodeos was approved by motion; no dollar amount was specified in the meeting record.
On financial matters, the court approved the Sept. 30, 2025 Budget and Financial Report and adopted the presented budget amendments affecting CVFD accounts (presented in the record as: CVFD Capital Outlay +$31,000; CVFD Uniform −$25,000; CVFD Inventory −$6,000). The court approved computer-generated and hand-stamped bills. It also approved two invoices from Schafer Services ($475.00 for a digital radio for Precinct 4 and $200.00 for contract labor at the Sheriff's Office); that motion carried with Commissioner Dale Schafer recorded as abstaining.
Judge Johnson announced completion of the county's email conversion to TAC CIRA and noted a mock commissioners court meeting scheduled the next day for the Leadership Canadian Group. The court listed future agenda items including a road closure in Precinct 3 and additional budget/bill actions. The meeting adjourned at 10:07 a.m.
Votes at a glance - 45‑day burn ban: Moved by Dale Schafer; seconded by Dawn Webb; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Purchase of two Sheriff's Office vehicles (SB22 funds, $159,000): Moved by Tim Alexander; seconded by Dawn Webb; outcome: approved (unanimous). - B‑C Company, Inc. quote for airport tower and beacon ($95,172): Moved by Tim Alexander; seconded by Nicholas Thomas; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Reappointment of Terry Bouchard to Texas Panhandle Centers Board: Moved by Dawn Webb; seconded by Dale Schafer; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Appointment of Dawn Webb to Hemphill County Appraisal District Board (2026–2027): Moved by Dale Schafer; seconded by Tim Alexander; outcome: approved (Webb abstained). - Join TexBuy interlocal agreement with Region 16: Moved by Tim Alexander; seconded by Dawn Webb; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Revised TxDOT Big Timber Rest Area maintenance agreement: Moved by Lisa Johnson; seconded by Dawn Webb; outcome: approved (unanimous). - EDC funding for additional college rodeos: Moved by Tim Alexander; seconded by Dawn Webb; outcome: approved (unanimous); amount not specified. - Budget & financial report and CVFD budget amendments: Moved by Dawn Webb; seconded by Dale Schafer; outcome: approved (unanimous).
