EARLY – Brown County Judge Dr. Paul Lilly held a “State of the County” address Thursday night, hosted by the Pecan Valley Republican Women, at the Early Visitors and Events Center.

Bob James from Wendlee Broadcasting began the event by voicing over a 10-minute slideshow highlighting all Brown County has to offer both to its residents and visitors.

Lilly stated he provided a “State of the County” address to the Brownwood Chamber of Commerce in 2019, but the 2020 speech didn’t occur due to COVID. Lilly added he hopes the address continues in the future regardless of who may be county judge following the general election.

Lilly then opened his presentation by thanking elected officials as well as members of his staff for their contributions over the last three years. Lilly also praised the members of the commissioners court for their efforts and the ability for the group to resolve problems though sometimes there might be disagreements.

Lilly then spoke about the creation of the grant coordinator position, first held by Bob Contreras and now Pat McLaughlin, and the $9.2 million in grants the county has, or is in the processing of receiving over the past three years.

Among the grants, Lilly referred to:

• $214,600 toward improvements on county roads
• $206,000 from the Texas Infrastructure Fund to help with county road repairs, including paving
• $707,000 from the Coronavirus Relief Fund from the Treasury Department including $30,000 for COVID clinics and vaccination efforts; $63,000 to the health department for various COVID needs; an undisclosed portion to the courthouse for COVID cleaning; and an undisclosed portion to the Center for Life Resources
• $7 million from the American Rescue Plan, half of which has been received with the other half coming in the summer of 2022, including more than $800,000 on the public radio system; $317,000 to the Brookesmith water district, $350,000 to the May water district; $255,000 to the Zephyr water district.

Lilly also discussed the decision to forego buying a $2 million generator for the water treatment plant – necessitated by the lack of power during the February 2021 winter storm – in favor of allocating $175,00 to transfer the lift station for the water treatment plan to the same grid as the hospital, which did not lose electricity during the freeze.

County property taxes have not been raised and the budget has been balanced during Lilly’s tenure, he said, which he credited to the county commissioners.

Unclaimed capital credits of $30,000 has served as a new revenue source for the county, Lilly claimed.

Lilly also addressed the COVID-19 pandemic and asked for a moment of silence for the 212 lives lost within the county due to complications from COVID. Lilly stated the vaccination rate within the county is near 43% percent which he hopes climbs to at least 50%, but also stated individuals have the right to determine if they receive the vaccine or not.

In his closing remarks, Lilly encouraged all Brown County citizens to vote for the candidate of their choice in the upcoming March primary, stating it was important to exercise your right to vote and support whatever candidate you choose to do so.