WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS HONOR 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF BRENHAM VFW POST
Washington County Commissioners celebrated a milestone for a local VFW post at a rainy meeting this (Tuesday) morning.
The court recognized members of James F. Dillon VFW Post 7104 in Brenham, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary. The post mustered on May 2, 1946, shortly after the end of World War II.
Post Commander Ben Seeker said ever since the post’s creation, its members have prioritized community involvement.
The post presented commissioners with a copy of the post’s founding charter. Seeker said, to his knowledge, that Leon Thiel is the only living member of the 82 that signed the charter.
Seeker also noted that this year marks the 100th anniversary of the VFW in the state of Texas.
Also at today’s meeting, commissioners approved hourly rate changes as approved by EMS Director Kevin Deramus, with future consideration for an hourly rate change for all emergency personnel. Deramus explained that the EMS department is normally paramedic-heavy, but it has had to hire and train emergency medical technicians (EMTs) at a rate never seen before, as he said there is an industry-wide problem of not enough paramedics.
Deramus asked for—and the court approved—a pay increase for EMTs from $11 an hour to $13 an hour in order to better compete with surrounding counties.
Commissioner Joy Fuchs said the county continues to work on a salary schedule for other county departments.
Commissioners also:
- Heard the EMS annual report. Commissioner Kirk Hanath noted during the report that the total financial contribution from taxes in 2020 for EMS, which he called a $3.6 million operation, was $353,027.
- Approved regulations of political signs at county-owned polling places. Among the new regulations are preventing political signs from being larger than four square feet or taller than four feet, limiting individual candidates or items on the ballot to one sign on the property, disallowing signs that obstruct vision for traffic, and requiring signs to be removed within three days after the voting period.
- Heard the Washington County Expo monthly report and approved the position description for maintenance supervisor at the Expo.
- Granted approval for a final plat of the Chappell Grove subdivision, a development of 11 residential lots fronting FM 1155 South in Chappell Hill in Precinct 2.
- Tabled a proposal to finance the purchase of a truck to be obtained through the Bank of Brenham for five years at a rate of 2.55 percent. The item was tabled in order to make sure the financing would be done within proper statute.
- Approved an intern for the Washington County Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace office.
- Approved a 60 day extension of 49 excess vacation hours for Becky Ballard with the Sheriff’s Office.