Burnet County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Burnet County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Outdoor warning sirens and flood gauges (Senate Bill 3)
The county's plan covers seven sirens and five gauges, concentrated in southern population centers, leaving northern precincts uncovered. Commissioner Beierle pushed successfully to add three northern sirens, raising the state ask to roughly $1.6 million.
Water Infrastructure Construction
Bertram is making major progress on a $3.43 million water tower and a $2.3 million lift station visible along Highway 29. These upgrades are designed to give the city's growing water and sewer systems a massive boost.
Wastewater Treatment Plant
Marble Falls cut an odor control system and scaled back parts of its new wastewater plant to fight rising construction costs, while the city council threw in an extra $88,000. Thankfully, the project's timeline is safe and they are using existing backup cash instead of asking taxpayers for new money.
Water System Upgrade
Cottonwood Shores is dropping $6.5 million on a major water system upgrade to fix low pressure and boost firefighting power. Combined with new digital meters, you'll see fewer annoying outages and faster leak detection at home.
Water Infrastructure Expansion
Marble Falls is putting up a brand new water tower to keep up with the massive Roper Ranch East development, making sure your home's water pressure doesn't drop as hundreds of new houses and shops pop up.
Water Infrastructure Upgrade
Granite Shoals is chasing a $7 million state grant to fix old water lines and put in new fire hydrants on the east side. If they get the money, it'll majorly upgrade the neighborhood's water system and safety without touching local tax dollars.
Boil Water Notice
Heads up, Bertram residents—your tap water isn't safe right now, so you'll need to boil it before drinking or cooking until city officials give the all-clear. Keep an eye on local updates for when things return to normal.
Floodgate Operations
LCRA just opened up the floodgates at Wirtz and Starcke dams, so you'll want to watch out for rising water and sudden flooding near the river. High water can catch you off guard, so stay alert if you live or hang out near the water.
Flood Watch
Heads up, Burnet County! A flood watch is in effect for the Highland Lakes area, meaning you need to keep a close eye on the weather and stay alert if you live near the water.