Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Burnet County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
42 issues
CAMPO Regional Transportation Plan & Committee Appointments
The county is looking at adopting a comprehensive transportation plan to guide future road improvements and traffic management. This plan helps map out where infrastructure dollars will go as the area continues to grow.
Rural Ambulance Grant Procurement
The county will consider purchasing a new rural ambulance using state grant funds without needing a local financial match. The vehicle will be operated and maintained by the City of Burnet.
Low-Water Crossing Engineering Work Order on CR 403
Commissioners will consider approving an engineering work order for hydraulics and design at a low-water crossing on CR 403 at Flat Rock Creek to improve safety during heavy rains.
Golf Course Fee Increases
Going for a round at the city-owned Delaware Springs golf course is about to cost a buck or two more starting October 1st. The Burnet City Council just approved small bumps to twilight and private cart fees to squeeze a bit more revenue out of the links.
Tourism Promotion and Holiday Lighting Contracts
The county is distributing hotel/tax occupancy funds to local chambers of commerce for tourism promotion and approving a contract for holiday lighting.
Subdivision and Replat Requests
The court approved the purchase of a new distributor truck for road maintenance and reviewed multiple subdivision replats and final plats across the county.
FY27 Property Tax Rate Adoption
The county is moving ahead with its budget planning for the upcoming fiscal year by proposing a tax rate of 0.3541. Commissioners also discussed departmental requests, fund balances, and salaries.
FY27 Indigent Defense Grants and Regional Contracts
The county is considering accepting over $1.7 million in state grants for the regional public defender's office and renewing various jail housing and task force agreements.
Courthouse Renovation
The court reviewed long-term building use, potential land acquisitions, and maintenance for parks and historical sites.
Utility Rates
Burnet just approved a yearly 3% rate hike on your water, sewer, and electric bills starting this October and lasting until 2031 to pay for fixing up local infrastructure. Expect your monthly utility bills to slowly creep up every year for the next several years.
Election Security
Residents and the Elections Administrator discussed operations and concerns regarding the March 2026 Primary Election during a review item.
IT Procurement and Cybersecurity Standards
The court debated setting strict minimum hardware specifications for county computers to improve cybersecurity and purchasing consistency across departments.
New EMS Provider Authorization
Lonestar Faith, LLC applied to operate as a new emergency medical services provider in Burnet County. The Commissioners Court reviewed and approved the necessary government letters and health code determinations to support expanded ambulance and medical response coverage.
County Employee Health and Wellness Promotion
The county adopted a resolution to promote employee health, partnering with local fitness organizations and health coordinators to encourage active lifestyles among county workers.
Interlocal Agreements and Road Improvements
Burnet County is moving forward with planned road improvements along Wirtz Dam Road between RM 1431 and RM 2147, requiring state archaeological permits from the Texas Historical Commission.
School District Accountability
Burnet Middle School just tanked its state rating with an 'F,' joining three other local elementary schools that are already struggling. The district is scrambling to roll out a major overhaul this November to fix the academic slide.
Justice of the Peace Clerk Reclassification
The county is starting to map out its budget for next year. This will determine how much money goes toward fixing our roads and running county offices.
County Fleet Policy
Officials debated the rules for assigning take-home vehicles and reviewed risk management strategies like driving record checks and remedial training.
Elected Officials Cost of Living Adjustment
The court discussed proposed salaries for appointed positions such as the Chief Public Defender, Elections Administrator, and Chief Magistrate, as well as removing appointed roles from the standard Step & Grade classification system. Decisions here affect leadership retention and personnel management.
FY27 County Budget and Departmental Appropriations
The county approved reallocating over $712,000 from lapsed salaries and group insurance to buy 58 advanced Motorola radios for the Sheriff's Office. This ensures deputies have modern communication tools funded internally without raising new tax revenue.
Grant Funding for District Attorney and Auto Theft Task Force
The county accepted significant state grant awards, including up to $400,000 for the District Attorney's capital murder case costs with no local match required, and over $930,000 combined for automotive crime prevention task forces requiring local matching funds.
State Law Enforcement Grants
Burnet County applied for state grants through SB22 to boost funding for the Sheriff's Office, County Attorney, and District Attorney without needing local matching funds.
FY27 Budget and Public Hearing
The county is moving forward with the budget process for the next fiscal year, setting a public hearing for September 8 to discuss tax rates, salaries, and departmental spending.
Surveillance Cameras
Burnet County just pulled down its Flock license plate reader cameras, completely shaking up how local police handle surveillance. If you live around here, your daily commute is no longer being tracked by these automated lens systems.
Reinstatement of County Burn Ban
Due to dry grass conditions and a recent spike in grass fires across Burnet County, the commissioners voted to put a burn ban back in place at noon today.
Creation of Chapter 54 Magistrate Board
The county created a new Magistrate Advisory Board to help set charges, responsibilities, and compensation for magistrates.
County Road Pavement Condition Assessment
The county hired Fugro to assess pavement conditions on 30 miles of road in each precinct to help plan road maintenance.
Flood Recovery and Recognition
Burnet residents are picking up the pieces after recent floods wiped out homes, sparking a push for better city infrastructure and smarter flood policies. It’s a wake-up call that our current defenses aren't cutting it and need a serious upgrade to keep our neighborhoods safe.
Code Enforcement
Burnet County flood victims are getting hit with code violation fines while they're still trying to rebuild their homes. It’s a frustrating clash between city bureaucracy and people just trying to get back on their feet after a disaster.
Disaster Recovery Funding
Burnet County is dropping $4.4 million to buy out homes wrecked by last year’s floods. It’s a huge win for residents looking to finally cash out and move on from the disaster.
Emergency Management Leadership
Deadly flash flooding is tearing through Burnet and Travis counties, leaving at least six people dead. Keep a close eye on local alerts and avoid any closed roads while crews handle the emergency.
Redistricting
Burnet County just got moved into U.S. District 11, meaning you've got a new representative in Congress. It’s time to get familiar with who’s actually fighting for our local needs in D.C. now.
Infrastructure Opposition
Burnet County and city officials are pushing back against a state-planned power line project that threatens to cut through local land. It’s a classic battle over who gets to decide how our community looks and grows.
391 Commission Formation
The county is teaming up with the City of Burnet to better manage regional infrastructure and address concerns regarding the new high-voltage transmission lines.
Oncor Transmission Line Project (PUC Docket 59475)
Burnet County is fighting a new power line project that threatens to clutter our local views and potentially drag down property values. It’s a major standoff that could set a precedent for how utility companies build in our neighborhoods.
Council Vacancy and Special Election
Burnet has an open City Council seat to fill, which means taxpayers are on the hook to fund a special election. It's a quick chance for new leadership, but it also means the city has to spend extra cash to make it happen.
Infrastructure Damage
A historic bridge in Burnet County was wiped out by recent floods, leaving locals facing major detours. It’s going to be a long, pricey road to get things back to normal.
Event Cancellation
The Texas Eclipse Festival in Burnet was shut down mid-event due to incoming severe weather. If you had plans to go, stay home and keep an eye on your local weather alerts.
Public Notice
Public notices are basically the city's way of giving you a heads-up on upcoming projects or legal changes. Checking these keeps you from being blindsided by new local rules or development plans.
Second Amendment sanctuary resolution
Burnet County just declared itself a 'Second Amendment sanctuary' to push back against potential federal gun laws. It’s mostly a symbolic move, but it sends a clear message about where local officials stand on your right to bear arms.
Police Misconduct Litigation
A mother is suing a former Burnet sergeant over her son's 2019 death, claiming excessive force was used. This case is a big deal because it could force the city to overhaul its police oversight and change how it handles liability for officer misconduct.
Municipal Incorporation
A legal battle to block a new city from forming in Burnet County just hit a dead end, giving the green light for the municipality to officially move forward. This clears the way for local residents to start setting up their own city government and services.