The Burnet County Commissioners Court approved a new property tax rate during its recent meeting.
County Judge Bryan Wilson, Pct. 1 Commissioner Jim Luther Jr., Pct. 2 Commissioner Damon Beierle, Pct. 3 Commissioner Chad Collier and Pct. 4 Commissioner Joe Don Dockery approved at the rate .3541 per $100 of valuation during the Sept. 22 meeting. The rate goes into effect Oct. 1, the first day of Fiscal year 2026-2027.
After the court voted 5-0 to approve the FY 2027 rate, Wilson noted, it represents an increase of 8.07%.
“It is not a pretty thing,” Wilson said. “I do not like all the specific items. But we have done the best we can do with what we have.”
Also, the court unanimously accepted the Texas Historical Commission grant of more than $902,000 to help preserve the Burnet County Courthouse, including the county match of more than $379,000.
Also, the court accepted a bid of more than $33,700 from CommServe Pros to support the sheriff communication network with new connectivity fiber.
“It impacts our 9-1-1 emergency system,” Chief Deputy Alan Trevino told the courts. “It is very significant.”
Also, the court approved more than $300,000 for the purchase of a distributor truck from Cooper Etnyre to be shared among the road and bridge crews within each of the county four precincts.
At the top of the meeting, in a calm, straightforward voice, Beierle apologized for what he called his “inappropriate comment” during the court session earlier this month, when he uttered, “Dang – I will just have to give myself a pay raise,” during serious discussion related to FY 2027 budget and salaries.
Indeed, the court voted in favor of 4% cost-of-living increases for several county employees during the session, including the county judge and each one of the commissioners.
“I exercised poor judgement and I own it,” Beierle said. “Regardless of my intent, I understand how it sounded and how it could be perceived by people. I am grateful for the privilege to serve Burnet County. I never want a careless attempt at humor to suggest otherwise.”
Also, the court:
• Maintained the county-wide burn ban;
Approved the donation of more than $4,400 raised by Burnet County employees during their recent picnic for Sarah’s House, a local nonprofit group that supports needy families; and
• Approved the appointment of Marble Falls Assistant City Manager Russell Sander and Craig Haley to the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) Technical Advisory Committee, with Marble Falls City Manager Caleb Kraenzel and Burnet County Development Services Director Herb Darling as alternates.