Burnet County judge resigns in wake of conduct ruling

An onslaught of continuing litigation and a recent probe by the county attorney’s office prompted the Burnet County judge to resign, effective Jan. 2.

“In recent years, the extreme lack of civility in public discourse has caused me to reevaluate how I want to spend my day-to-day life,” County Judge James Oakley wrote in the letter Dec. 18. He submitted the letter to Burnet County Attorney Eddie Arredondo.

“My priorities are to protect my health/safety and that of my wife & family,” Oakley wrote in his resignation letter. “As I am eligible for retirement, I have made the decision to resign my position effective January 2nd, 2025 such that I can achieve other personal goals and projects.”