Burnet County commissioners adopted the Burnet County Health Care Provider Participation Program, just before the regular session began June 10, during a public hearing, As authorized by Texas law, the court designated Hill Country National Bank as the depository of the mandatory collection of payments from two main Burnet County health care facilities, Baylor Scott & White and Ascension Seton hospitals.
Those payments (known as local provider participation funds, limited to no more than 6% of net patient revenue) are transferred to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, which facilitates Medicaid reimbursements for local hospitals.
“It (the participation program) will draw down additional feder- al dollars to support our hospitals,” County Judge Bryan Wilson said.
As the regular meeting got underway, County Treasurer Karrie Crownover reported the county accrued a cash and investment balance of more than $81.3 million through the end of April 2025.
Also, the commissioners approved the donation of less than 1 acre in Burnet County at FM 2657 and Loop 308 adjacent to the county-owned Briggs Community Center.
“I gladly accept the donation to make the community center more enjoyable,” Pct. 2 Commissioner Damon Beierle said.
During future weeks, the county plans to survey the land, create a deed for the property, which Wilson will sign after its completion.
Turning to another matter, the commissioners approved the bid of more than $234,000 by D.I.J. Construction for the CR 410 paving project.
“The bid submitted is reasonable, based on a review of bids received by the Texas Department of Transportation,” according to a letter forwarded to the commissioners by K.C. Engineering President Greg Haley.
“The amount is substantially less than bid prices TxDOT has received for similar work in the area,” Haley added.
As the meeting continued, the commissioners voiced no objection to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plan to purchase about 300 acres from a local “interested and willing seller,” to add the land to the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge near FM 1174, to support “public recreation and wildlife conservation.”
In lieu of property tax revenue, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Refuge and Project Manager Kelley Purkey told the commissioners, the county will receive distributions from the federal Refuge Revenue Sharing plan.
In other business, the commissioners:
• Accepted the low bid of more than $71,000 submitted by Sakai America to purchase a new drum roller, funded by 2022 tax notes;
• Applauded the Lakes Area Food Pantry (LACare) for 40 years of charitable food service for needy local needy persons;
• Acknowledged the retirement of former Oakalla Librarian Tricia Platt; Re-appointed Marble Falls City council member Griff Morris to another term on the Texas Housing Foundation board;
• Approved the bond of $5,000 for Interim County Auditor Kelley Glaeser;
• Agreed to assume all interests, liabilities and obligations related to a construction and drainage easement less than 1 acre, previously maintained by CR Resort Austin LLC, following the grant by Emily and Stephen Dillinger in Spicewood;
• Approved a work order with K.C. Engineering to provide plans and specifications for work at CR207 and RM 963 for no more than $34,220;
• Approved another work order with K.C. Engineering for plans and specifications for work at CR 120 from RM 1431 to CR 123 not to exceed $33,150; and
• Approved for the Brinegar subdivision a preliminary plat at Shoals Parkway.
