Dec. 19, officials addressed future leadership in light of the county judge resignation.
(Find the story on Page 1).
Burnet County Judge James Oakley did not attend the meeting due to an agreement with the county attorney to work remotely through Jan. 2.
The meeting was attended by Pct. 1 Commissioner Jim Luther Jr., Pct. 2 Commissioner Billy Wall, Pct. 3 Commissioner Damon Beierle and Pct. 4 Commissioner Joe Don Dockery.
In place of Oakley, Beierle presided over the meeting.
“Good morning,” Beierle said as he addressed the packed courtroom. “Without objection, I am going to lead the meeting.”
Then, County Attorney Eddie Arredondo addressed the crowd.
“The resignation of Judge Oakley is not the agenda today,” Arredondo said. “It will probably be on the agenda for the next meeting (Jan. 3). A lot of questions you may have cannot be answered today.”
As the meeting moved to hear public comments, six local residents came forward to condemn Oakley in the wake of a public reprimand by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. (Find the report in the Friday, Dec. 13 edition of The Highlander).
Potential Interim Judge Also, during time for public comment, Chief Deputy Alan Trevino declared he plans to apply for the position of interim Judge (to serve during the remainder of Oakley’s term, which ends Dec. 2026) and run for a permanent seat as judge, too.
“Originally, I had planned to become sheriff someday,” Trevino said. “But now is the time to step up, not step down. The county deserves leadership. I am a leader.”
Oakley submitted his resignation to the county attorney the day prior to the meeting.
County Budget
As the meeting continued, County Treasurer Karrie Crownover announced the county car-
County ried a cash and investment balance of more than $58 million through the end of last month.
The commissioners observed the Texas Community Supervision and Correction (Adult Probation) Department carried a fund balance of more than $800,000 through the end of last August.
Also during the meeting, after hearing from County Emergency Management Coordinator Derek Marchio, the commissioner reinstated the county-wide burn ban.
Stringtown Cemetery The commissioners accepted a donation of $1,000 from the Burnet County Historical Commission to help preserve the Stringtown Cemetery near Bertram and Oatmeal along CR 326A.
ESD Appointees
And, the commissioners re-appointed Londa Chandler and J. Don McAlpin to the Emergency Services District No. 6 board; Brenda Goble, Roy Hallmark and Clayton Smith to the ESD District No. 7 board and; Bill Eide, Ned Ewart and Barker Keith to the ESD No. 8 board.
Plus, the commissioners observed county resident Juanita Kaufman recently celebrated her 96th birthday.
And, Beierle presented Wall with a plaque thanking him for his service as a commissioner. Wall did not seek re-election and is stepping down next month.
