McBroom Chosen as New Judge Pro Tem

A couple of county leaders earned promotions during Thursday’s Commissioners Court meeting.

Longtime Pct. 1 Commissioner Jason McBroom was unanimously voted County Judge Pro Tem (essentially the second in command who will preside over the court during an absence by the County Judge.) McBroom replaces previous Pro Tem Luke Sternadel, who recently retired as Pct. 2 Commissioner.

Meanwhile, Luke Sternadel’s replacement as Pct. 2 Commissioner, his son Clint Sternadel, who was just sworn in last week, was sitting in on his first court meeting Thursday in his new role.

During the meeting, Amber Hielscher, was appointed to replace Clint Sternadel as the county’s Designated Representative for Sewage and Subdivision Regulation Inspection and Enforcement.

Besides the new appointments, highlights of Thursday’s meeting included:

• The court voted in a new 40-mile-per-hour speed limit on South Anchor Ranch Loop

• The court signed a proclamation designating May 18-24 as Emergency Medical Services Week in Fayette County

• The court signed a proclamation designating May 4-10 as National Correctional Officer Week in Fayette County.

• Donnie Montemayor, a District Extension Administrator from Texas A&M Agrilife was at the meeting presenting an updated cooperative agreement between the Agrilife Extension Service and the county. He and the commissioners had high praise of the work of Fayette County’s extension agents and support staff and how well the county works together with them on projects and outreach.

• The court voted to go out for bids for a new bridge on Mach Road, which is estimated to cost about $100,000. The current bridge sustained damage in 2015, 2016 and 2017 and was repaired but now it’s time to be replaced, Commissioner Berckenhoff said.

• An agreement was finalized for the county to provide road maintenance and street repair in the city of Ellinger.