Mineral Wells Area News

PALO PINTO COUNTY, Texas — The Palo Pinto County Commissioner’s Court approved security enhancements for the District Attorney’s office during Monday’s meeting, addressing ongoing concerns about courthouse access.

“This plan will help on several levels, but most importantly it will provide for security for our office,” District Attorney Jett Smith told commissioners regarding the $7,213 project which will install access control systems for the elevator and third-floor entrance.

The security improvements will restrict third-floor elevator access and add a controlled door at the bottom of the staircase. Officials explained the measures would help with the expansion of the DA’s office into former commissioner offices on the third floor.

“We’re a little bit cramped in there, especially with our investigator and the assistants sharing an office,” Smith noted, explaining the need for additional space.

Burn Ban

Fire Marshal Chad Jordan recommended reinstating a countywide burn ban, which commissioners unanimously approved.

The County’s Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) average stands at 274, though Jordan reported “parts of the county well over 400.”

“I’m suggest we go ahead and just put it on, but if we do, we just leave it for a while. Just to protect our resources,” stated Jordan.

Commissioners certified the jail commissary audit in compliance with local government code, with the auditor noting “there were no findings or anything like that.”

County Business

The court approved $2,850 for repairs to a broken gate opener at the Dempsey facility rather than spending $12,600 for a replacement.

Commissioners authorized seven road bore permits for Atmos Energy, all in Precinct #4, and approved a new printer for the Auditor’s office.

They also approved a proclamation designating April 27 through May 4, as Soil and Water Stewardship Week, recognizing that “soil, water and air are the building blocks of nutrition” and that “effective conservation practices enrich soil, water, animal, plant and air.”

In other business matters, commissioners approved preliminary plats for “Barkwood Acres,” a 70-acre subdivision with 28 lots proposed for single-family homes.

The court also opened sealed bids for a bank depository with four institutions applying and voted to award the contract at the April 28 regular meeting.

Lone Camp VFD Public Comments

Notably, the commissioner’s court meeting began with the usual public comment portion and four Lone Camp residents spoke to the court. They all addressed expressed concerns about the future funding of their volunteer fire department.

In March, ESD#1 voted to not offer the LCVFD a service contract moving forward and the April 16 board meeting agenda lists an item “discussing the termination” of the existing contract.

Lone Camp resident Casey McGlaun told the court that many locals were only made aware of problems with the fire department in January, but said they’ve “gained a number of new members and created a new board of directors and appointed a very qualified fire chief from the other officers, and attended a county training in large numbers.”

Additionally, Lone Camp resident John Hoover said, “My main complaint is I don’t know what needs to be done differently to get more representation or involvement in our ESD process,” noting that the community was unaware of the issues but had recently taken action to remedy some of the problems.

Hoover’s wife, Holly, also spoke out and went on to explain, “The new Fire Chief they referred to is Jimmy Kilgore. He is a professional firefighter, retired out of Midland. He knows what he’s doing.”

County Judge Shane Long reminded the room that officials are not allowed to respond to statements made during the public comment portion of the meeting.

In March, according to a Press Release from ESD#1, the board voted to not issue a contract for Lone Camp Volunteer Department for the upcoming year, prompting action by Lone Camp residents to save the department.

The press release read, “The Board’s decision to not offer Lone Camp VFD an agency agreement for 2025-26 followed an extensive review of service data. Analysis revealed several challenges, including difficulties with emergency call response, delayed response times, no participation in county-wide interagency training programs, and a continuing decline in volunteer staffing levels.”

The release stated “residents should not feel unsafe as neighboring departments within the ESD have already been successfully responding to calls in the Lone Camp VFD area for over a year, ensuring continuous protection with no gaps in service.”

ESD#1, whose board members are appointed by county commissioners, has a meeting set for April 16. The items listed on the meeting’s agenda include “Discuss/Consider/Take Action on Termination of the Existing Agreement for Providing Fire Protection Services between the Lone Camp Volunteer Fire Department and the ESD and authorizing the ESD to send notice of the termination to the Lone Camp Volunteer Fire Department.”

The ESD board meeting is set for 6pm at 55 South FM 2353 at Possum Kingdom Lake.