The Burnet County commissioners met April 22 to handle issues ranging from personnel updates to federal grant mandates.
Commissioners approved matching funds “as required” on future Burnet County applications for U.S. department grants administered by the Texas Governor, including the Fiscal Year 2025 Violence Against Women Justice and Training Program; FY 2025 Replacement of Outdated Core Switches Project; FY 2026 Local Cyber Security Program; Local Cyber Security Mitigation Project; the Texas Governor County Courthouse Metal Detector and Panic Button Project; and County Sheriff Body Worn Camera Program.
The resolutions included the signatures of County Judge Bryan Wilson and Kelley Glaeser, appointed as the Interim County Auditor April 19.
Karin Smith, the previous County Auditor, became the Smith County Auditor as of April 14. (See related story on Page 1).
Rodeo Preps
As the commissioners continued the meeting, they authorized precinct 4 crews to operate Burnet County equipment on property owned by the non-profit Marble Falls Rodeo Association to help the association prepare its arena for the upcoming July rodeo and “to serve a public purpose for the benefit of all Burnet County.”
“It is an annual event,” Pct. 4 Commissioner Joe Don Dockery said. “They (association members) ask for our assistance.”
AgriLife Agent
Also, the commissioners approved the hire of Colorado State University graduate and Cedar Park native Mia Benge to serve as the Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension Family Community Health Agent.
“She is going to get us all very healthy,” Dockery quipped.
Too, upon the recommendation of Wilson, the commissioners authorized a hunt for applicants to become the new county Information Technology and Cybersecurity Director.
“We really need a fulltime IT director,” Wilson said. “The position is so unique.”
Furthermore, the commissioners appointed Wilson to serve as the Capital Area Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CARTPO) county representative.
CARTPO concentrates completely on rural transportation issues, Dockery reminded the commissioners.
“We need to stay involved (with CARTPO),” Dockery said.
Wilson accepted the appointment without hesitation.
“It (rural transportation) is a major challenge for the county,” he said.
Waste Collection Event
Dockery reminded commissioners the Burnet County Reuse and Recycle Center at 2411 FM 963 will host the Burnet County Waste Collection Event 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 26.
Event volunteers are welcome to report to the center for training beginning 8 a.m., Dockery said.
The event, known as BOPATE (Batteries, Oil, Paint, Antifreeze, Tires, Electronics) plans to collect items to help prevent dumping and general environmental harm to the county environment.
Administrator Departing
Also, the commissioners acknowledged County Commissioners Court Administrative Director Stephanie McCormick plans to leave May 2.
“We appreciate all of her service for the county for more than 20 years,” Wilson said.
McCormick received applause and a standing ovation. She plans to remain in Burnet and become a therapy technician at the Texas Hill Country Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.
Before the meeting ended, the commissioners:
• Proclaimed April as National County Government Month;
• Approved for K.C. Engineering a work order for CR 120 by an amount not to exceed $35,670;
• Approved an interlocal agreement between the county and Emergency Services District (ESD) No. 8 for the paving of hot asphalt on ESD No. 8 property in return for manpower assistance and use of ESD property requested by the county for elections and other requests not to exceed $15,000 by either party;
• Approved for Precinct 4 the purchase of a hydraulic pothole digger from Ewalk Kubota by an amount not to exceed $4,962;
• Approved the County Subdivision Regulation variance request by Marvin and Judy Bloomquist for more than 4 acres out of a tract of more than 267 acres;
• Approved the replat of lots MCW 2, MCW 3 to be known as MCW 2A, MCW 3A at Wolf Creek Ranch;
• Approved the replat of Barton Creek Lakeside lots 1 and 2A to be combined and known as lot 1-A;
• Approved the replat Sherwood Shores III-A lots 100-102, 202-205 to be combined and known as lot 204A; and
• Re-approved the replat of Thunderbird Square phase 1, lot 5, to be known as Thunderbird Square phase 2, including eight hangers, one pilot lounge and one storage area.
