County Commissioners Court Briefs

County purchases site of 1853 barracks Young County Commissioners approved the purchase of eight acres of land adjacent to Fort Belknap after the remains of a historic structure were found there.

The County paid approximately $140,000 for the three lots, which also will be used to handle overflow parking for events such as the Crawfish and Cannons festival and as the site of a utility shed, Fort Belknap curator Jim Hammond said.

The lots were the site of wooden barracks that were built circa 1853, he said. Excavators discovered 40 square nails in a pattern that lines up with a map showing the old barracks, he said.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Stacey Rogers voted against the purchase, saying it was too expensive.

County law enforcement completes grant applications

The Young County Sheriff ’s Office, District Attorney and County Attorney have successfully applied for grant funding approved by the 88th Legislature, County Judge Win Graham said at the Commissioners’ Jan. 22 meeting.

The programs provide counties with populations of fewer than 300,000 people with funds to increase sheriff, deputy, jailer and prosecutor pay, hire more staff and purchase vehicles, firearms, and safety equipment.