16 Oct Commissioners Court Approves $95,000 for Libraries, Hears Good News on Inspections

Bee County commissioners put $95,000 toward public library services at their Tuesday, Oct. 13 meeting, per the Beeville Bee-Picayune. Every member of the Commissioners Court voted yes on an annual agreement that sends $85,000 to the Joe Barnhart Bee County Library and $10,000 to the Bee County Law Library.

County Judge Trace Morrill and the commissioners called the Barnhart library an important resource for the community, with free technology access and educational programs. They also thanked the Barnhart Foundation for backing its operations for decades.

Commissioner Dennis DeWitt then updated the court on two items. Inspectors from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality made an unannounced visit to the county’s citizens collection stations in Skidmore and Mineral, both run by the Road and Bridge Department. Each passed with perfect marks on how clean it was, how records were kept and how the fencing was maintained.

DeWitt also described a two-day workshop at the Expo Center on well water and septic systems, with experts from Texas A&M AgriLife. He said protecting groundwater matters because aquifers are limited, and he encouraged rural homeowners to have their septic systems serviced on a five-to-seven-year schedule, which can head off costly drain field replacements.

Commissioners also pointed to recent cleanup work in neighborhoods to improve visibility at intersections, such as Hillside Drive, Toledo Street, South Tyler Street and Oak Drive, plus edge repairs on Yahr Drive in Blueberry Hill.