During a short special meeting Tuesday morning, Scurry County Commissioners re-instituted the county’s ban on outdoor burning and added an amendment regarding health insurance to the county’s personnel policy.
The new 90-day burn ban will last through Sept. 21, unless extended during a future meeting.
“In the last 10 days we’ve responded to 11 grass fires,” said Snyder Fire Marshal Nathan Hines. “About 50 percent of the county is at 6 out of a 7 for high fire danger. The main thing that’s going to be a problem is the flashy fuels, your cured grass and some small brush. This rain will help for about a week.”
Hines spoke about grass fires in the area this month that incorporated hundreds or thousands of acres.
“Howard County had a 300-acre grass fire and Sterling City had a 5,000-acre grass fire,” he told commissioners.
Hines recommended re-instating the ban, and the commissioners approved the measure unanimously.
In other business, the county modified its personnel policy to clarify that the county is not required to pay the entire premium of any employee’s medical insurance.
According to County Judge Dan Hicks the policy had read, “Regular full-time employees are provided general medical, hospitalization and life
insurance. The county pays the premium for coverage of eligible employees.”
At a recent meeting, commissioners voted that the county would no longer pay employees’ full premiums.
After consultation with the county’s legal counsel, Hicks proposed amending the policy to read, “The benefits provided by the county are not contracted, and may be modified, canceled or rescinded by a vote of the commissioners court upon a proper posting and vote.”
A second change to the policy reads, “The county may pay all, none, or a portion of the premium as provided by the commissioners court for coverage of eligible employees.”