Burnet County commissioners have found new office space for the county defender.
During the March 25 meeting, for a little more than $92,500, the commissioners voted unanimously to purchase the modular building at 100 CR 250 for public defender attorneys to occupy as they prepare legal representation for indigent defendants.
“It is a great win for the county,” County Judge Bryan Wilson said.
Currently, Mobile Modular, based in Pasadena, leases the building to Lonestar Land Partners, who are departing from the building.
Lonestar Land Partners have agreed to contribute to the county $10,000 as part of the purchase agreement for the building, situated over 1,800 square feet near the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office.
Nonprofit Allocations
Also during the meeting, the commissioners approved the allocation of $100,000 from Capital Area Housing Finance to be divided equally among 14 Burnet County non-profit organizations, including VetRides, Meals on Wheels, the Highland Lakes Family Crisis Center, the Highland Lakes Crisis Network, the Helping Center of Marble Falls, the Boys and Girls Club of the Highland Lakes and Lakes Area Care Inc.
Financial Audit
Turning to other matters, the commissioners accepted from Patillo, Brown & Hill certified public accountants its single and comprehensive audit report related to all county financial statements for Fiscal Year 2024, which ended last Sept. 30.
The Patillo firm found “no instances of non-compliance” with federal, state and county legal requirements for financial records subject to audit.
During her report, County Treasurer Karrie Crownover indicated the county showed a cash and investments balance of more than $84.5 million through the end of last month.
Space Corp.
After much discussion, the commissioners took no immediate action related to the request by Cedar Park Assistant Economic Director Scott Smith for Burnet County to join Williamson County with official acceptance of the Central Texas Spaceport Development Corporation.
The nonprofit group aims to boost private firms (such as Fire Fly Aerospace in Briggs and Cedar Park) with new initiatives for outer space exploration and tests.
“The growth in this particular sector is phenomenal,” Smith told the commissioners.
However, both Pct. 2 Commissioner Damon Beierle and Pct. 4 Commissioner Joe Don Dockery expressed concerns related to various economic, environmental and regulatory interests, including how many members from Burnet County could be appointed as directors of the corporation.
“Several questions need to be answered,” Dockery said.
Wilson indicated the Spaceport Corporation issue could be considered later.
Commissioners have scheduled a public workshop "regarding bylaws and other matters to establish the Central Texas Spaceport Development Corporation with Williamson County..."
The meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday April 1 at the Burnet County Courthouse, 220 S. Pierce, 2nd floor courtroom, in Burnet.
The agenda states that attendees will explore the subject matter "in accordance with the Local Government Code 507 and Nonprofit Corporations Act, Chapter 22 of the Texas Business Organization Code.
The workshop is for discussion only and no action will be taken.
During time for public comment, Burnet County resident Linda Standefer urged the commissioners to oppose reactivation of the railroad along U.S. 281 between Burnet and Lampasas for the purpose of hauling crushed rock between quarries.
“I want to fight this,” Standefer said. “I think this is our Alamo.”
By law, the commissioners could not and did not respond to Standefer.
To be sure, because of uneasiness related to possible environmental distress and lower property values in the area along the railroad, Beierle indicated to the Highlander and the Burnet Bulletin his objection to reactivation of the railway earlier this month.
To date, neither Wilson nor the other commissioners have commented on the issue.
Also during the meeting, the commissioners:
• Approved Justice Technology Funds of $3,000 to train clerks for Justice of the Peace Pct. 2 Lisa Whitehead to operate Odyssey software;
• Approved Oct. 25 for the Household Hazardous Waste collection in at the Burnet Recycle Center, RR 963;
• Approved a letter of support for Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area Training focused on health care careers;
• Approved Burnet County manpower and equipment to assist the Burnet Rodeo Association arena preparations for their fundraiser Demolition Derby planned for April 12;
• Approved the preliminary plat for Moonlight Bend, 134 lots on more than 591 acres at 535 Flying X Road; and
• Released the maintenance bond for the Rees Landing subdivision.
