Mueller Presides Over First Commissioners’ Meeting
Call in Burns
Fayette County Judge Dan Mueller presided over his first Commissioners Court meeting last Thursday morning, Jan. 12.
Some folks were expecting high drama at Mueller’s first meeting over the new judge’s quick firing of Craig Moreau, the County’s former emergency management coordinator and Mueller’s political rival in the election campaign.
One citizen, Rodney Read of Ledbetter, addressed the controversy during the public comment period at Thursday’s meeting.
“I think it was very unprofessional,” Read said. “When you do things, it doesn’t just represent you. It represents every taxpayer in Fayette County, whether they vote or don’t vote. You are representing us.
“I’m very upset we had this to start out the new year,” Read added.
The Record asked Mueller for a response to Read’s comments after the meeting. Mueller declined to respond.
The meeting was a big change of pace from those headed by Mueller’s predecessor, former County Judge Joe Weber. Weber’s meetings routinely lasted three or more hours, sometimes stretching past noon. Mueller’s first meeting was a brisk 35 minute affair.
One of the Court’s first items of business was to approve the official bonds for newly-elected County officials. State law requires bonds for elected officials to protect the public against conduct or omissions made by the official that would constitute a breach of their official duties.
Commissioners unanimously approved the bonds for the following officials: Tax Assessor-Collector Sylvia Mendoza, District Clerk Linda Svrcek, County Clerk Brenda Fietsam, Pct. 2 Commissioner Luke Sternadel, Pct. 4 Commissioner Drew Brossmann, Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace Kyle Hartmann, Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace Jamie Moreau, Pct. 3 Justice of the Peace Charles Zapalac and Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace Paul Zapalac.
County Inspector Clint Sternadel gave a report on development activity in unincorporated areas of the County. He noted a steady increase in development permits issued by his office over the past three years. Anyone building structures in unincorporated areas must usually apply for a development permit from the County. The number of permits went from 170 in 2020 to 191 in 2021. Last year his office issued 221 development permits.
Sternadel also gave a threeyear report on septic permits and divisions of property:
Septic Permits 2020 335 2021 285 2022 344
Divisions No. of New Tracts 2020 114 220 2021 128 224 2022 110 221
Also at Thursday’s meeting, Pct. 4 Commissioner Drew Brossmann asked the public to be mindful of burning fires at night and to call the Sheriff’s Office whenever they intend to burn brush or other materials.
Brossmann, who also serves as an assistant fire chief in Schulenburg, said Schulenburg Volunteer Fire Department recently responded during late hours to two brush fires that were under control where the property owners needed no assistance. Both times, the fires were located on property near Interstate 10, and the owners failed to notify the Sheriff’s Office of their plans to burn. Motorists on Interstate 10 saw the large flames at night and called 911, thinking a home was on fire.
“All 38 of us get paged out at two o’clock in the morning and we’re hauling butt to get there because we think someone’s house is on fire,” Brossmann said. “We get there and someone’s just burning brush in a pasture. That’s why we always say, please, if you’re burning brush, it doesn’t matter what time of day, just please call the Sheriff’s Office and let them know what you’re doing. Give them your address and your phone number, and if someone calls, they know it’s a controlled burn.”
In other action at Thursday’s meeting:
• Granted request from EMS Director using American Rescue Plan Funds to purchase an ambulance in an amount not to exceed $331,000.00, Josh Vandever will continue to work on price negotiations for the ambulance; • Approved grant request from Ellinger Mayor Matt Mikulenka to use American Rescue Plan Funds in the amount of $45,400.00 for the purchase of a 60 horsepower tractor with a front end loader and 6 foot mower to be used for road repair and maintenance in the City of Ellinger;
• Accepted comments from Mike Schlabach concerning grant request from the Ellinger Sewer & Water Supply Corporation using American Rescue Plan Funds.