WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS APPROVE TEMPORARY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT WITH CITY OF BRENHAM

  

Washington County Commissioners agreed today (Tuesday) to allow the county’s Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC) to serve in that role as an interim for the City of Brenham.

The interlocal agreement approved between the city and the county designates Bryan Ruemke to temporarily serve as the city’s appointed EMC while keeping his duties with the county.  This follows the retirement of former Brenham Fire Department Assistant Chief Brian Scheffer, who had served as the city’s EMC, and the resignation of Brenham Fire Chief Roger Williams.

Ruemke said the city wants to get its new fire department leadership situated before making a permanent EMC appointment.

County Judge John Durrenberger said the city has agreed to reimburse the county for 50 percent of Ruemke’s salary and benefits over the course of the agreement, as well as for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred for work on behalf of the city. 

In other business today, the court voted 3-1 to issue a check for $50,000 payable to Brenham CFA Series, LLC, fulfilling the terms of the Chapter 381 agreement between the county and Chick-fil-A.  The $50,000 from the county is part of $250,000 in total incentives granted to Chick-fil-A to offset increased supply and construction costs to build its restaurant in Brenham; of that amount, $150,000 comes from the Brenham Community Development Corporation, and another $50,000 is from the City of Brenham. 

Commissioner Kirk Hanath voted against providing the check, aligning with his nay vote on the agreement itself in September 2022.  At the time, he stated his preference of providing economic incentives to businesses in the manufacturing industry, rather than retail. 

Also at today’s meeting, commissioners:

• Voted to reject a request from Ferdous Kamil for the reimbursement of cash bonds made in the form of money orders given to the Washington County Jail on January 28, 2022 for $2,500.  KWHI will have more information on this item in a future story. 
• Approved an amendment to the telemedicine services agreement between the county and the Texas A&M Health Science Center.  The amendment extends the term of the agreement through December 31, 2024 at an amount of $25,000 per year.
• Approved a right-of-way permit application for the Chapelton Fun Run and Walk on Saturday at the Chapelton Vineyards in Old Washington.