Carol of Lights may be just the beginning of a full weekend of Christmas activities this year, based on a facility use plan approved at a recent Lampasas County Commissioners court meeting.

The court voted 4-0, with County Judge Wayne Boultinghouse absent, to authorize the judge to sign a facility use agreement with Vision Lampasas! to allow the group to use the Lampasas County Courthouse Dec. 4-5.

Plans include a lighted parade Dec. 4, with possible courthouse tours, a Christmas storytelling time and a historical presentation at the courthouse the following day. Vision Lampasas! may organize a showing of a play or Christmas movie for the evening of Dec. 5, as well.

The new festival, which has not yet been named, will complement traditional Keystone Square Museum activities, the downtown Carol of Lights events and the museum's Tour of Homes, Vision Lampasas! board president Maryann Severn said.

Also at the recent meeting, the Commissioners Court tabled a proposal to pay employees through electronic direct deposits to workers' bank accounts.

Treasurer Nelda Deriso has been depositing checks for some employees who live far from Lampasas, said County Auditor Jack Clark. He said that action could increase the county's liability.

"That's a service she has provided that's really risky," the auditor said.

Many school districts and cities use direct deposits, Clark said.

"Everyone gets their money immediately [on pay day]," he said. "It's faster, it's easier, and it's safer."

Precinct 2 Commissioner Alex Wittenburg said some employees may not have bank accounts, and Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack B. Cox added that others may want to pick up a check themselves.

Clark said if the county uses direct deposits, department heads could give checks to workers who do not have a checking account. The auditor would prefer, however, to have all employees receive an automatic, online deposit.

"I really don't want to do it part way," Clark said.

Pay stubs could be given to department heads to distribute to their employees, or stubs could be sent to workers either through e-mail or the postal system, Clark said.

Department heads will poll their employees to determine the level of support for direct deposits. The Commissioners Court will consider the matter at its Sept. 14 meeting.

In other business, commissioners approved the appointment of Lewis Bridges, Christopher Brister and Misty Wakeman to the county's sick leave pool committee.

The Commissioners Court also voted in favor of appointing Bell County resident Nancy Holle and Milam County resident Ann King to two-year terms on the board of trustees for the Central Counties Center for Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services.