County of Burnet {} On this the 5th day of August 2025, the Burnet County Commissioners Court met in regular session. The following members of the court were present:
| County Judge Bryan Wilson Commissioner Precinct 1 Jim Luther, Jr. Commissioner Precinct 3 Chad Collier Commissioner Precinct 4 Joe Don Dockery Absent: Commissioner Precinct 2 Damon Beierle |
| Attendees: Eddie Arredondo, County Attorney Colleen Davis, Assistant County Attorney Vicinta Stafford, County Clerk Madeline Parker, Commissioners Court Coordinator |
Call to Order
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance to the Flags
Pledges said.
Public Comments - Pursuant to Texas Government Code 551.007, the commissioners court allows any person to make comment on any item appearing on the agenda, however in this section of public comment any person may make comment on items not posted on the agenda. Any comments made will not be deliberated on by the Commissioners Court during this Public Comments agenda item. Public Comments are limited to three (3) minutes per person.
Cynthia Klentzmen spoke.
Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action regarding Department Updates: (Wilson)
ii. Emergency Management, including Debris Site;
iii. Road & Bridge Precinct 1;
iv. Road & Bridge Precinct 2; and
v. Road & Bridge Precinct 3.
Jim Luther, County Commissioner, gave update.
Chad Collier, County Commissioner, gave update.
Alan Trevino, Chief Deputy, gave update.
b. Judge Bryan Wilson gave update.
Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action regarding extending the Burnet County Local State of Disaster past August 5, 2025. (Wilson)
Motion is made by Commissioner Precinct 4 Joe Don Dockery, Seconded by Commissioner Precinct 1 Jim Luther, Jr. to approve extending the Burnet County Local State of Disaster past August 5, 2025, for 30 additional days.
Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously
Discuss and take action on setting a date and time for a public hearing on the County Clerk Records Archive Plan. (Wilson/ Stafford)
Motion is made by Commissioner Precinct 1 Jim Luther, Jr., Seconded by Commissioner Precinct 3 Chad Collier to approve setting the date and time for public hearing on the County Clerk Records Archive Plan for August 26, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously
Discussion and potential action regarding notification to Texas Department of Motor Vehicles of changes, if any, to the optional fees allowed to be imposed by a Texas county for road and bridge (TX Trans. Code 502.401) and/or for child safety (TX Trans. Code 502.403). (Wilson)
Motion is made by Commissioner Precinct 4 Joe Don Dockery, Seconded by Commissioner Precinct 1 Jim Luther, Jr. to approve notification to Texas Department of Motor Vehicles of changes, if any, to the optional fees allowed to be imposed by a Texas county for road and bridge (TX Trans. Code 502.401) and/or for child safety (TX Trans. Code 502.403). No Changes.
Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously
Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action regarding a request from Spicewood Fire Rescue for $35,000 from the County’s dedicated fire training fund to purchase a thermal drone. The drone to be available regionally. (Dockery)
Robert Price, ESD 9 Commissioner, spoke.
Alan Trevino, Chief Deputy, spoke.
Motion is made by Commissioner Precinct 4 Joe Don Dockery, Seconded by Commissioner Precinct 1 Jim Luther, Jr. to approve Spicewood Fire Rescue for $35,000 from the County’s dedicated fire training fund to purchase a thermal drone. The drone to be available regionally.
Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously
Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action regarding the various options for the FY26 proposed budget. (Wilson)
Alan Trevino, Chief Deputy, spoke.
The court took no action on this agenda item.
Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action regarding the various options for the FY26 tax rate: (Wilson)
b. County Special Road & Bridge; and
c. Debt Service.
Claire Nybro spoke.
The court took no action on this agenda item.
Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action regarding the creation of the Salary Grievance Committee for elected officials' salaries as set by Local Government Code Sec. 152. (Wilson)
Motion is made by Commissioner Precinct 4 Joe Don Dockery, Seconded by Commissioner Precinct 1 Jim Luther, Jr. to approve 6 elected officials and 3 public members as the Salary Grievance Committee for elected officials' salaries as set by Local Government Code Sec. 152.
Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously
Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action regarding the proposed updated Burnet County Background Check Policy. (Wilson)
The court took no action on this agenda item.
Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action regarding the FY26 proposed budget for Ark of Highland Lakes. (Wilson)
The court took no action on this agenda item.
Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action regarding Burnet County office space for the following departments: (Wilson)
b. Adult Probation;
c. Juvenile Probation;
d. Tax Assessor/ Collector;
e. Elections Office;
f. Justice of the Peace Precinct 1.
Michelle Moore, Chief Public Defender, spoke.
Alan Trevino, Chief Deputy, spoke.
The court took no action on this agenda item.
Reconvene at 10:35 a.m.
Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action to purchase a used Motor Grader for Road and Bridge Precinct 4. (Dockery)
Motion is made by Commissioner Precinct 4 Joe Don Dockery, Seconded by Commissioner Precinct 3 Chad Collier to approve purchase of used Motor Grader for Road and Bridge Precinct 4 from Romco Equipment Company in the amount of $179,439.00.
Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously
Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action regarding moving funds in the amount of $52,081.94 incorrectly recorded in Fund 100 to Fund 180 restricted. (Wilson)
Motion is made by Commissioner Precinct 4 Joe Don Dockery, Seconded by Commissioner Precinct 3 Chad Collier to approve moving funds in the amount of $52,081.94 incorrectly recorded in Fund 100 to Fund 180 restricted.
Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously
Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action regarding budget inner departmental line item transfers: (Wilson)
Motion is made by Commissioner Precinct 1 Jim Luther, Jr., Seconded by Commissioner Precinct 3 Chad Collier to approve budget inner departmental line item transfers. Excluding line item transfer for $23,000.00, IT Department.
Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously
Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action for the authorization of payment of claims previously approved by the County Auditor. (Wilson)
Motion is made by Commissioner Precinct 1 Jim Luther, Jr., Seconded by Commissioner Precinct 3 Chad Collier to approve authorization of payment of claims previously approved by the County Auditor.
Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously
Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action regarding contracts, agreements or grants to be approved and/or ratified: (Wilson)
b. Approval for the Tour Texas Destination Content Plan Renewal;
c. Approval for Public Defender Michelle Moore to discuss reimbursement rate with the Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC) for the FY26 TIDC North Hill Country Public Defenders’ Office Improvement grant;
d. Approval to accept the FY26 MVCPA grant for the Heart of Texas Auto Task Force; and
e. Approval for Alpha Omega Wireless quote for TIPS contract # 240101 for a re-cable installation at County Road 208 that is causing occasional outages at a radio site.
Motion is made by Commissioner Precinct 4 Joe Don Dockery, Seconded by Commissioner Precinct 1 Jim Luther, Jr. to approve a-e.
Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously
Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action on Burnet County declaring August Emergency Management Awareness and Appreciation Month: (Dockery)
b. Declaring and acknowledging the tremendous work our local emergency managers perform throughout the year, but most notably for their relentless work during the July 2025 flood disaster.
Motion is made by Commissioner Precinct 4 Joe Don Dockery, Seconded by Commissioner Precinct 1 Jim Luther, Jr. to approve declaring August Emergency Management Awareness and Appreciation Month and a-b.
Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously
Acknowledgment of Receipt: (Wilson)
b. Letter from Cedar Park;
c. June Financial Report; and
d. Ark of Highland Lakes - 2025 Flood Operations Report.
Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action regarding the commissioners court modifying regularly scheduled meetings. (Wilson)
The court took no action on this agenda item.
Calendar Review.
Adjournment
Motion is made by Commissioner Precinct 3 Chad Collier, Seconded by Commissioner Precinct 4 Joe Don Dockery to adjourn at 10:47 a.m.
Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously
