City of Bertram

By Nathan Hendrix

Staff Writer

Burnet Bulletin

The Bertram City Council is considering an investment of up to $35,000 for a system to digitize city databases and documents to give employees access to critical city information via the internet.

If approved, the city would contract with 3cGeo to provide geographic information system (GIS) services – a method of integrating city data into digital maps.

Brian Shirley, owner of 3cGeo, spoke with the Bertram Economic Development Corporation two weeks prior to the council meeting; he said the information was “received positively” by the corporation, but the EDC wanted to gauge the council's interest before agreeing to provide funding for the project.

The program costs up to $35,000 for initial setup and requires a monthly hosting fee of $350.

“[The EDC] can help fund this if we use it for economic development,” Bertram Mayor Adam Warden said.

By Nathan Hendrix

Staff Writer

Burnet Bulletin

Bertram Police Chief L. Dewayne Kyle reported the Bertram Police Department is experiencing difficulty hiring experienced officers at the monthly city council meeting Tuesday, June 18.

The Bertram City Council approved an amendment of an ordinance to allow officers to take home patrol vehicles if they live in a 25-mile radius of the city limits to assist in the hiring process.

The department has two vacant officer slots and no current applications to fill those positions. Kyle interviewed an experienced officer recently, but the applicant declined the job due to lack of appropriate and affordable housing in the area.

“He was looking for a place to rent, but the cost of living here is too expensive,” Kyle said. “He's the sole provider and has four kids. He was trying to live in the 25-mile radius.”

By Nathan Hendrix

Staff Writer

Burnet Bulletin

The City of Bertram is looking to heal the wounds of the past and prepare for the future with the hiring of a new police chief.

The Bertram City Council approved the appointment of Leslie Dewayne Kyle to the position of Chief of Police on Tuesday at the monthly council meeting at city hall. The council voted to begin the hiring process back in November after the previous chief was fired.

Kyle is a lieutenant with the Austin Police Department, where he has worked for the past 20 years. Prior to his assignment in Austin, he worked in the small-town atmospheres of Spearman and Canyon. In total, Kyle has 32 years of law enforcement experience.

Kyle is a lieutenant in East Austin, one of the busiest areas of the city for law enforcement officials. He said he wanted a change-of-pace as he's aged.

“I'm old,” he said with a laugh. “I'm ready for a slower lifestyle than I deal with now.”

By Richard Zowie
Staff Writer

Embattled former City of Bertram police chief J.J. Wilson has agreed to reimburse the city for a $1,000 deductible to acquire a new police cruiser that he's been charged with crashing in October.

Wilson and the city also reached a separation agreement, officially ending his employment with the northeastern Burnet County town's police department and stating other conditions by which he's expected to abide.

As per the separation agreement, Wilson has agreed to accept a separation designation of general discharge. This is one step below an honorable discharge.

Wilson had been on unpaid leave, following Oct. 2 grand jury indictments for felony perjury and misdemeanor official oppression charges (for which he was released from the Burnet County Jail on a $1,500 surety bond).

By Richard Zowie

Staff Writer

Burnet Bulletin

Embattled former City of Bertram police chief J.J. Wilson has agreed to reimburse the city for a $1,000 deductible to acquire a new police cruiser that he's been charged with crashing in October.

Wilson and the city also reached a separation agreement, officially ending his employment with the northeastern Burnet County town's police department and stating other conditions by which he's expected to abide.

As per the separation agreement, Wilson has agreed to accept a separation designation of general discharge. This is one step below an honorable discharge.

Wilson had been on unpaid leave, following Oct. 2 grand jury indictments for felony perjury and misemeanor official oppression charges (for which he was released from the Burnet County Jail on a $1,500 surety bond).

By Richard Zowie

Staff Writer

Burnet Bulletin

The 33rd/424th Judicial District grand jury has handed down another indictment for suspended Bertram Police Chief James Jay (“JJ”) Wilson.

Wilson was booked into the Burnet County Jail Nov. 27 on an indictment charge of abuse of official capacity. The charge stemmed from an Oct. 24 crash on Ranch to Market Road 1431 East in Burnet County. According to DPS documents, Wilson was driving while intoxicated during the collision in a Bertram patrol vehicle.

The latest charge comes on the heels of previous grand jury indictments against Wilson on Oct. 2 which included felony perjury and misdemeanor official oppression. The embattled chief defended his actions and referred to the previous indictments as a “witch hunt” against him by the 33rd/424th Judicial District Attorney's Office.