The year 2015 saw a change in Commissioners Court with two new members added, County Judge Brint Carlton and Commissioner Barry Burton serving from Precinct 2. Having served one year now as a commissioner Burton admits the job is not exactly what he expected it to be. Burton coming from the private said he needed to have a little patience in learning that government takes a consensus to operate properly and that takes time. Barry Burton replaced his uncle Owen Burton who had served Precinct 2 as commissioner before retiring at the end of 2014.
Commissioner Barry Burton believes the work of the Commissioners Court is a team effort and no one person is responsible for the successes of it. Burton is proud though of the accomplishments of the Court especially in regards to the budget in 2015. Burton points to the Commissioners Court balancing the county’s budget for the first time in roughly two decades as a major accomplishment which has lead to the county now having a fund balance that can be used in the case of an emergency such as the hurricanes in 2005 and 2008. He gives credit also to the many employees of the county who were frugal in helping to cut the budget and allowing the Court to establish the desired fund balance.
Starting his second year on the Commissioners Court, Burton has a year of county business under his belt and is much wiser to how government operates. With the beginning of the New Year the Orange County Commissioner looks to begin several new duties. The first according to Burton has been a goal of his since being elected in 2014. Burton is the presumed replacement for Commissioner David Dubose to serve on the Board of Directors for the Orange County Economic Development Corporation (EDC). The Commissioners Court had to postpone the vote for a replacement because of a lack of a quorum at the last meeting in December, but the Court will consider it again when it meets the first week of January. Burton has worked closely with County Judge Carlton in revising the EDC and is hopeful it will be an important contributor to the growth that happens here in the county.
Continuing his priority of working for economic development in the local area Commissioner Burton will serve as Executive Advisor with the Southeast Texas Economic Development Foundation. Burton has also been appointed to a very influential regional commission. Burton will serve as the third Vice President of the Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission. He reminds that the shuttle buses that help transport so many people in the county are provided by Southeast Texas Regional Planning in addition to many other useful programs.
Obviously, Burton will have a full job helping take care of county business on the Commissioners Court. The commissioner sees working on the infrastructure of the county as a top priority for the Court. Burton thinks the FM 299 also known as the Vidor Loop which has been discussed even before he joined the Commissioners Court could be a boost to the local economy. The proposed new 105 Tollway is in its early development, but Burton said it would be a benefit to the county providing an additional bridge over the Neches River which would assist citizens coming to Orange County and aid them if the need of evacuation arises. Economic growth is the goal for these projects which Burton states could bring new businesses and more people living here.
This past year has seen changes in Orange County government and Commissioner Burton believes more change may be needed in the county this year. Burton reminds that he needed to learn patience in his job as commissioner. Patience is what county employees and citizens in the county will need to exercise to see Orange County continue to be a great place to live and for the Court to achieve the results they are looking for.
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