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A new home is now under construction by D.R. Horton in Burnet at Tom Kite Street near the Delaware Springs Golf Course. Burnet City Council plans to consider permit requirements for future tree removals near the course. Raymond V.Whelan/Bulletin
Burnet City Council recently approved funds to advance a street rehabilitation program due to be completed over the next three years.
The council authorized City Manager David Vaughn to implement the program at an estimated total cost of about $6 million through 2026.
“We know we need to get it done,” City Engineer Eric Belaj told the council during the March 14 meeting.
Weeks before the meeting, the street committee selected several streets for the program based on their condition, location and traffic.
Probably, the work will begin on streets that are “relatively easy to complete,” Belaj said.
“We need to get started somewhere,” he added.
The list of streets cited for rehabilitation includes Bluebonnet, East League, Elm, Fort Croghan, Har- vey, Lewis, Northington, North Main, North Wood, Pierce, Post Mount at the cemetery entrance, Surecast, West and White.
Bond proceeds will fund most of the rehabilitation, according to city officials.
Also during the meeting, the council agreed to transfer more than $1.1 million from the Burnet Economic Development Corporation to the city for redevelopment of the former Bealls retail building at 118 East Polk St.
Several months ago, council members eyeballed the building as the site for a new city hall. However, the council recently decided the building is better suited for a new commercial purpose to be determined and supported by the BEDC.
Furthermore, the council authorized city staff to develop a golf course vegetation buffer tree preservation ordinance. Potentially, the ordinance would require any builder to obtain a permit from the council before they can remove trees near the Delaware Springs Course.
Upon a motion by Mayor Crista Goble Bromley, the council appointed former mayor Gary Wideman to the Comprehensive Plan Committee.
Because of term limits, Bromley is due to leave the council this May. During the upcoming May 6 election, Wideman is running for mayor as an unopposed candidate. His return to the council is assured after the May 6 election.
During his report, Chief Brian Lee told the council Sgt. Jeremy Stewart will be promoted to lieutenant April 1.
In other business, the council approved several amendments to the current budget including: An increase of $580,000 to purchase a new pumper truck for the fire department. Most of the funding will come from the city capital equipment reserve account, as well as $130,000 from Burnet County Emergency Services District No. 7.
An increase of more than $120,000 to pay for the airport paving project, to be covered by airport fund reserves.
An increase of $73,000 to purchase four new vehicles for the police department, to be covered by the department fund balance.
An increase of $65,000 to pay for police department shooting range upgrades. Almost 50 % of the funding will come from the national Opioid legal settlement and the remainder from the department fund balance.
An increase of more than $12,000 to cover expenses incurred by the extension of an interim fixed base operator contract with Crosby Flying Services LLC through the end of last year. To be covered by aviation gas and jet fuel sales, as well as property lease revenue.
An increase of more than $9,000 for the addition of one full-time food and beverage position at the city-owned Delaware Springs Golf Course, to be covered by increased snack bar sales at the course.