Burnet County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Burnet County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
IT Procurement and Cybersecurity Standards
A six-month effort to buy AI-driven network security software stalled over an unfinalized lease agreement, questions about the building-reserve funding source, and complaints that vendor selection wasn't competitive.
Police Chief Appointment
Horseshoe Bay finally has a new top cop after naming Paul Nelson as police chief following a months-long search. City council officially greenlit the appointment, wrapping up the extensive recruitment process.
Rural Ambulance Grant Procurement
The county approved purchasing a new ambulance entirely funded by state grant money, which will be operated by the City of Burnet.
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.
Police Chief Search
Horseshoe Bay is close to wrapping up its months-long search for a new police chief, having narrowed the field down to five finalists. Assistant Chief Paul Nelson is keeping things running smoothly in the meantime, with a final decision expected by November.
Election Security
A local resident urged the court to abandon electronic voting machines and return to hand-counted paper ballots due to concerns over foreign interference and software vulnerabilities.
New EMS Provider Authorization
The county approved Lonestar Faith, LLC to operate as a new emergency medical services provider.
Sheriff's Office Technology and Cloud Storage Migration
The Commissioners Court will evaluate whether to continue with Google Workspace or transition all county email and collaboration tools to Microsoft 365, impacting administrative efficiency and county IT costs.
Sheriff's Office Radio and Equipment Upgrades
The county approved budget transfers and a 5-year subscription for cloud server storage for body and in-car cameras for the Sheriff's Office.
County Employee Health and Wellness Promotion
The county adopted a resolution to promote employee health with support from wellness coordinators and local fitness groups.
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.
Wildfire Response
A 300-acre brush fire in Bertram scorched land and destroyed a barn, but luckily spared any houses. It's a loud wake-up call for everyone to pay attention to local burn bans and fire safety alerts.
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.
Creation of Chapter 54 Magistrate Board
The county created a new Magistrate Advisory Board to help set charges, responsibilities, and compensation for magistrates.
Emergency Mutual Aid
Horseshoe Bay firefighters are traveling across Central Texas to help rescue people from floods, showing how local emergency teams team up when disaster strikes. It's a great reminder of how mutual aid keeps our broader region safe during major weather events.
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.
Emergency Communications Staffing and Recognition
County officials recognized local emergency dispatchers with a Telecommunicator's Week proclamation while highlighting ongoing staffing shortages and high call volumes across county dispatch centers.
Jail Fire Panel Upgrade Re-bidding
The court canceled a previous bid award for the jail fire panel upgrade because the technology was obsolete and authorized rewriting specifications for a new re-bid.
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.