County Holds Fast on Burn Ban

With little discussion, the Blaine County Commissioners kept a countywide fire ban in place for the second week. Hopes were enough rain would fall to make the restrictions unnecessary, but that was not the case, with only .18 of an inch falling Saturday-Monday in the county according to Mesonet, and 40 percent of the state still facing severe, extreme or exceptional drought conditions. Blaine County is in extreme drought territory, with segments in the worst, or exceptional, division.

In other business, the commission heard preliminary findings on its proposed budget and suggestions on how to balance the departments while accommodating as many requests for additional funding as possible. The proposed budget will now be taken back to the county’s accountants, Britton, Kuykendall & Miller, and a finalized document will be brought back to the commission as soon as it is prepared.

The commission was also addressed by some residents who are concerned about road conditions near their home, and accepted reports from the assessor, county clerk, court clerk, election board, health department and the county treasurer.

The Longdale Fire Department requested $1,600 for running boards and installation on two trucks, and the commission accepted eight applications for road crossing permits in District 1, the southern end of the county.