County of Burnet {} On this the 19th day of December 2024, the Burnet County Commissioners Court met in regular session. The following members of the court were present:
- Present:
-
- Commissioner Precinct 1 Jim Luther, Jr.
- Commissioner Precinct 2 Damon Beierle
- Commissioner Precinct 3 Billy Wall
- Commissioner Precinct 4 Joe Don Dockery
- Absent:
-
- County Judge James Oakley
- Attendees:
-
- Eddie Arredondo, County Attorney
- Colleen Davis, County Attorney's Office
- Vicinta Stafford, County Clerk
- Karin Smith, County Auditor
Call to Order
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance to the Flags
Pledge of Allegiance to the flags.
Public Comments - Pursuant to Texas Government Code 551.007 (b), any person may make comment on any item appearing on the agenda. Any comments made will not be addressed by the Commissioners Court during the Public Comments agenda item. Public Comments are limited to three (3) minutes per person.
Sharon Barkley spoke.
Claire Nybro spoke.
Patricia Cope spoke.
Reno Lamb spoke.
Alan Trevino spoke.
Juanita Kaufman spoke.
Damon Beierle, County Commissioner, spoke and presented County Commissioner Billy Wall with a plaque of his service.
Russell Tutor spoke.
Discussion and/or action regarding the final plat of The Ranch on Lake LBJ Warehouse Subdivision, a private subdivision consisting of 28 lots on 8.38 acres located off Paris Lane (Luther)
Motion is made by Commissioner Precinct 1 Jim Luther, Jr., Seconded by Commissioner Precinct 3 Billy Wall to approve final plat of The Ranch on Lake LBJ Warehouse Subdivision, a private subdivision consisting of 28 lots on 8.38 acres located off Paris Lane and Commissioner Damon Beierle to sign in place of Judge James Oakley.
Vote: 4 - 0
Discussion and/or action regarding the acceptance of donated preservation services from Kofile in regard to a historic record in the Burnet County Clerk's Office (Oakley)
Vicinta Stafford, County Clerk, accepted donation preservation services from Kofile.
Motion is made by Commissioner Precinct 1 Jim Luther, Jr., Seconded by Commissioner Precinct 3 Billy Wall to approve the acceptance of donated preservation services from Kofile in regard to a historic record in the Burnet County Clerk's Office.
Vote: 4 - 0
Discussion and/or action regarding the acceptance of a $1000 donation from Rachel Bryson for the Stringtown Cemetery Project (Oakley)
Motion is made by Commissioner Precinct 3 Billy Wall, Seconded by Commissioner Precinct 1 Jim Luther, Jr. to approve acceptance of a $1000 donation from Rachel Bryson for the Stringtown Cemetery Project.
Vote: 4 - 0
Discussion and/or action regarding the reappointment of Barker Keith, Ned Ewart, and Bill Eide to the ESD #8 Board, effective January 1, 2025 (Beierle)
Motion is made by Commissioner Precinct 2 Damon Beierle, Seconded by Commissioner Precinct 1 Jim Luther, Jr. to approve the reappointment of Barker Keith, Ned Ewart, and Bill Eide to the ESD #8 Board, effective January 1, 2025.
Vote: 4 - 0
Discussion and/or action regarding the reappointment of Londa Chandler and J. Don McAlpin to the ESD #6 Board, effective January 1, 2025 (Luther)
Motion is made by Commissioner Precinct 1 Jim Luther, Jr., Seconded by Commissioner Precinct 3 Billy Wall to approve reappointment of Londa Chandler and J. Don McAlpin to the ESD #6 Board, effective January 1, 2025.
Vote: 4 - 0
Discussion and/or action regarding the reappointment of Clayton Smith, Brenda Goble, and Roy Hallmark to the ESD #7 Board, effective January 1, 2025 (Beierle)
Motion is made by Commissioner Precinct 1 Jim Luther, Jr., Seconded by Commissioner Precinct 3 Billy Wall to approve the reappointment of Clayton Smith, Brenda Goble, and Roy Hallmark to the ESD #7 Board, effective January 1, 2025.
Vote: 4 - 0
Discussion and/or action regarding the resolution amending authorized signers - TexPool Participant Services (Oakley)
Motion is made by Commissioner Precinct 1 Jim Luther, Jr., Seconded by Commissioner Precinct 4 Joe Don Dockery to approve the resolution amending authorized signers - TexPool Participant Services.
Vote: 4 - 0
Discussion and/or action regarding the approval of the monthly Treasurer's Report - November 2024 (Oakley)
Beginning Cash and Investments Balance $61,628,659.59
Cash Receipts $3,773,523.55
Allocated Int Earned $33,922.40
Interest Earned $201,615.35
Cash Disbursements -$6,051,697.75
Month Ending Cash and Investments Balance $58,538,120.34
Reserve Donations to VetRides $1,386.00, Employee Appreciation Donations $250.00
Motion is made by Commissioner Precinct 4 Joe Don Dockery, Seconded by Commissioner Precinct 1 Jim Luther, Jr. to approve the monthly Treasurer's Report - November 2024.
Vote: 4 - 0
Discussion and/or action regarding the approval to renew liability insurance with the Texas Association of Counties Risk Management Pool. Coverage dates are 4/1/202/ - 4/1/2026 (Oakley)
Karin Smith, County Auditor, spoke.
Motion is made by Commissioner Precinct 1 Jim Luther, Jr., Seconded by Commissioner Precinct 3 Billy Wall to approve renewnal liability insurance with the Texas Association of Counties Risk Management Pool. Coverage dates are 4/1/2025 - 4/1/2026 with recommendations from the auditor's office and Damon Beierle, County Commissioner, to sign in place of Judge James Oakley.
Vote: 4 - 0
Discussion and/or action regarding the formation of an advisory committee to the Commissioners Court that will explore options and potential modifications to the countywide Holiday Leave policy. Potential modifications and options will address all Burnet County employees, including those who fall under the policy category of "Full Time Shift Employees" (departments that operate 24/7). Potential modifications and options may also address the issue of excessive build-up of holiday leave by "Full Time Shift Employees" due to staffing demands:
Recommended committee members: Alan Trevino, Matt Kimbler, Karin Smith, Shirley Bullard, Eddie Arredondo, Damon Beierle. (Beierle)
Motion is made by Commissioner Precinct 4 Joe Don Dockery, Seconded by Commissioner Precinct 1 Jim Luther, Jr. to approve the formation of an advisory committee to the Commissioners Court that will explore options and potential modifications to the countywide Holiday Leave policy. Potential modifications and options will address all Burnet County employees, including those who fall under the policy category of "Full Time Shift Employees" (departments that operate 24/7). Potential modifications and options may also address the issue of excessive build-up of holiday leave by "Full Time Shift Employees" due to staffing demands: Recommended committee members: Alan Trevino, Matt Kimbler, Karin Smith, Shirley Bullard, Eddie Arredondo, Damon Beierle.
Vote: 4 - 0
Discussion and/or action regarding the temporary suspension by the Commissioners Court of the Burnet County Vacation Leave Carry Forward Policy for all county employees as applied to BCSO Communication Officers, Correction Officers and Patrol Officers due to staffing demands. Temporary suspension of this policy will allow said employees to carry forward any unused hours until 12-31-25 (Beierle)
Karin Smith, County Auditor, asked for clarification. Court stated for Sheriff's Office only.
Motion is made by Commissioner Precinct 3 Billy Wall, Seconded by Commissioner Precinct 1 Jim Luther, Jr. to approve the temporary suspension by the Commissioners Court of the Burnet County Vacation Leave Carry Forward Policy for all county employees as applied to BCSO Communication Officers, Correction Officers and Patrol Officers due to staffing demands. Temporary suspension of this policy will allow said employees to carry forward any unused hours until 12-31-25. Sheriff's Office only.
Vote: 4 - 0
Discussion and/or action regarding the CSCD Statement of Financial Position - FY 2024 per Local Government Code 140.004 (Oakley)
Motion is made by Commissioner Precinct 3 Billy Wall, Seconded by Commissioner Precinct 1 Jim Luther, Jr. to approve the CSCD Statement of Financial Position - FY 2024 per Local Government Code 140.004.
Vote: 4 - 0
Discussion and/or action regarding the burn ban for unincorporated areas of Burnet County (Oakley)
Motion is made by Commissioner Precinct 1 Jim Luther, Jr., Seconded by Commissioner Precinct 3 Billy Wall to reinstate the burn ban for unincorporated areas of Burnet County at 12:00 p.m. on December 19, 2024.
Vote: 4 - 0
Discussion and/or action regarding budget inner departmental line item transfers (Oakley)
Motion is made by Commissioner Precinct 1 Jim Luther, Jr., Seconded by Commissioner Precinct 4 Joe Don Dockery to approve budget inner departmental line item transfers with Damon Beierle, County Commissioner, to sign in place of Judge James Oakley.
Vote: 4 - 0
Discussion and/or action for the authorization of payment of claims previously approved by the County Auditor (Oakley)
Motion is made by Commissioner Precinct 4 Joe Don Dockery, Seconded by Commissioner Precinct 1 Jim Luther, Jr. to approve authorization of payment of claims previously approved by the County Auditor with Damon Beierle, County Commissioner, to sign in place of Judge James Oakley.
Vote: 4 - 0
Discussion and/or action regarding Departmental asset transfers (Oakley)
Acknowledgment of Receipt:
b. TCEQ Notice - Renewal permit
Claire Nybro spoke.
Discussion and/or action regarding contracts, agreements or grants to be approved and/or ratified:
b. Approval of an agreement with BOPATE vendor Triumvirate Environmental Services, Inc. for the April 26, 2025 clean up event
c. Agreement with Johnson Controls for troubleshooting the courthouse fire system
d. Approval to accept the Replacement of Outdated Core Switches Project for FY25 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) - Mitigation Projects, FY 2025
Item 25b. will move to another meeting. No action.
Karin Smith, County Auditor, spoke on 25c.
Karin Smith, County Auditor, spoke on 25d. and Jackie Haynes, IT Department, spoke.
Motion is made by Commissioner Precinct 1 Jim Luther, Jr., Seconded by Commissioner Precinct 3 Billy Wall to approve 25a. with Damon Beierle, County Commissioner, to sign in place of Judge James Oakley.
Vote: 4 - 0
Motion is made by Commissioner Precinct 3 Billy Wall, Seconded by Commissioner Precinct 4 Joe Don Dockery to approve 25c. with Damon Beierle, County Commissioner, to sign in place of Judge James Oakley.
Vote: 4 - 0
Motion is made by Commissioner Precinct 1 Jim Luther, Jr., Seconded by Commissioner Precinct 3 Billy Wall to approve 25d. with Joe Don Dockery, County Commissioner, to sign in place of Judge James Oakley.
Vote: 4 - 0
Discussion and/or action concerning calling for Bids and Bid openings, request for proposals/qualifications and related openings:
The court took no action on this agenda item.
Calendar Review.
Executive Session. Discussion with Burnet County Commissioner's Court and the County Civil Attorney(s) and/or the County Attorney in accordance with Texas Government Codes 551.071. The Commissioners Court reserves the right to adjourn into Executive Session at any time during the course of this meeting to discuss any matters as authorized by the Texas Government Code including, but not limited to, Sections: 551/071 (Consultation with Attorney), 551.072 (Deliberations about Real Property), 551.073 (Deliberations about Gifts and Donations), 551.074 (Personnel Matters), 551.076 (Deliberations about Security Devices), 551.087 (Economic Development), 418.183 (Deliberations about Homeland Security Issues), 551.0725 (Contracts being negotiated).
Invited in County Attorney's Office and County Auditor.
Reconvene in Open Session.
Discussion and/or action regarding items discussed in Executive Session.
Patricia Cope spoke.
Claire Nybro spoke.
The court took no action on this agenda item.
Discussion and/or action concerning hiring part-time General Counsel to advise the Commissioners Court on civil and procedural matters, and necessary budget amendments to accommodate said hiring (Oakley)
Patricia Cope spoke.
Mike Kahmlah spoke.
Russel Tutor spoke.
Amy Willeke spoke.
Motion is made by Commissioner Precinct 4 Joe Don Dockery, Seconded by Commissioner Precinct 1 Jim Luther, Jr. to approve hiring part-time General Counsel to advise the Commissioners Court on civil and procedural matters, and necessary budget amendments to accommodate said hiring. Billy Wall, County Commissioner, abstained.
Vote: 3 - 0
Adjournment
