Mills County is set to welcome a new leader in emergency medical services following the appointment of Shaan Brake as the regional director for Hamilton County EMS. Brake, who replaces Patrick Cobb, will oversee EMS operations across five counties, including Mills, Landau, Lampasas, Hamilton, and Cincinnati. This leadership change aims to enhance emergency response capabilities in the region.

In addition to the EMS leadership update, the Mills County Court is gearing up for the upcoming budget process. Officials will begin working on budget proposals and scheduling workshops to ensure community needs are met. This proactive approach is expected to facilitate a smoother budget approval process in the coming months.

The court also retained the legal services of Jeffrey Allen, a familiar face in the region, who previously represented Hills County on wind turbine matters. His expertise will be available for any upcoming workshops or meetings related to solar projects and other legal inquiries. However, the decision to hire Allen raised questions about the need for formal approval from the court, as past practices typically required such measures for legal counsel.

Concerns were also raised regarding potential tax abatements related to local projects, with discussions emphasizing the importance of having legal guidance to navigate these complex issues. The court plans to address these matters in future meetings to ensure compliance and informed decision-making.

On a more immediate note, the county is dealing with infrastructure challenges, including a washout behind the senior citizens building and flooding in the county attorney's office due to recent heavy rains. While the north side of the courthouse has shown resilience against flooding, the south side requires further investigation and repair to prevent future water damage.

As Mills County moves forward with these developments, the community can expect enhanced emergency services, a thorough budget process, and ongoing efforts to address infrastructure concerns. The next court meeting will provide an opportunity for further discussions on these critical issues.