The Burnet County Commissioners Court reviewed current fire conditions and decided to renew the burn ban for county unincorporated areas during its recent meeting.
County Judge James Oakley and each one of three precinct commissioners present voted to renew the ban during the Oct. 10 session.
Due to a family emergency, Precinct 1 Commissioner Jim Luther Jr. was absent.
Before the meeting, Precinct 2 Commissioner Damon Beierle mentioned he asked several firefighters for their outlook related to the ban.
“One hundred percent of them agreed it is too early to lift it,” Beierle said.
Several days with temperatures near or above 100 degrees Fahrenheit with very little rainfall prompted the court to invoke the ban last July.
Turning to other matters, the court voted 4-0 to purchase equipment to begin live streaming of future court meetings online.
After discussion with Beierle, the court set aside court technology funds of no more than $5,000 to install cameras and other gear necessary to broadcast future meetings over the YouTube website.
His own media company will not get involved with the installation, Beierle said.
Also, the court issued an abatement order against 208 Deer Springs Drive for nuisances defined by the Texas health and safety code.
The court ordered the property owner to “remediate immediately” code violations.
“I have been dealing with the property for five years,” Environmental Deputy Paul Kowalik told the court. “It is an ongoing problem.”
During her report, Chief Deputy Treasurer Deanne Fisher reported the county showed a balance of more than $59 million through the end of August.
Also during the meeting, the court voted 2-2 on the request by Hollingsworth Business Park South for a variance from county subdivision regulations which require a groundwater availability study for real estate development.
Owner Dewey Hollingsworth pointed out the property near Texas 71 and Spur 191 is planned for commercial rather than residential use.
In turn, Oakley and Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Don Dockery voted to grant the variance, Beierle and Precinct 3 Commissioner Billy Wall voted against the variance. Effectively, the even tally denied the request.
In other business, commissioners:
• Proclaimed Nationton al Friends of the Library Week for Oct. 15-21; Re-appointed Charity Taber, Cary Johnson and Dr. Amy Van Dorfy to the Burnet County Hospital Authority Board;
• Appointed William Proffer to the Emergency Services District No. 2 board;
• Agreed to seek a grant from the Texas Rifle-Resistant Body Armor Grant Program;
• Approved a professional services agreement with Burnet VETRIDE Administrator Sophia McCoy and agreed to apply to the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for a veterans general assistance grant;
• Signed a memorandum of understanding related to $106,000 for the Sheriff’s Office and Bluebonnet Trails Community Services Crisis Diversion Program; and
• Released the Miller Creek Ranch maintenance bond of more than $67,000, phase 1; more than $48,000, phase 3; more than $82,000, phase 4; more than $91,000, phase 5; also, the performance bond, phase 6 and; released Hurst Place subdivision performance bonds for phases 3, 4, 5.
