The deadlock is over. Unanimously, during the March 11 meeting, the Burnet County commissioners voted for retired state official Bryan Wilson as the interim county judge.
Pct. 1 Commissioner Jim Luther Jr., Pct. 2 Commissioner Damon Beierle, Pct. 3 Commissioner Chad Collier and Pct. 4 Commissioner Joe Dockery each picked Wilson to succeed former county judge James Oakley, who resigned Jan. 2.
Wilson will be bonded and sworn in as county judge March 12.
The former Texas Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority director will serve as judge filling the unexpired term of Oakley through the end of 2026, county officials said.
“I am happy,” Wilson told the Bulletin. “I am excited to start right away.”
The vote ended weeks of jousting for the county judge seat between Wilson, retired 33rd Judicial District judge Guilford “Gil” Jones and Burnet County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Alan Trevino.
During recent weeks, the commissioners conducted special meetings and hurled several questions at Wilson, Jones and Trevino, to probe their qualifications for county judge and ambitions related to the position.
The Feb. 11 regular meeting offered no definite outcome. Then, Beierle and Collier voted for Trevino and Dockery and Luther voted for Jones to succeed Oakley.
Just before the commissioners decided during a roll-call vote March 11, Beierle (who had supervised court proceedings since the resignation of Oakley) offered his rationale for the decision to choose Wilson.
“If we do not take action, my biggest fear is this courtroom will not serve the way it is supposed to serve,” Beierle told meeting attendees.
Voting System
Turning to other matters, unanimously, the commissioners adopted a resolution to oppose the elimination of the county- wide voting program Burnet County has followed since 2020.
The program allows all Burnet County voters (embedded in 20 voting precincts) an option to vote at any of the 19 poll locations stationed in the county on Election Day, rather than obey a restriction to vote only at the poll station within the precinct that appears stamped on their voter registration card.
“Many constituents benefit from the ability to vote on Election Day at a polling location of their choice without having to adjust their work schedules,” according to the resolution approved by the commissioners.
Also in the resolution, the commissioners claim the program reduces the number of provisional ballots and elimination of the program could “decrease voter turnout” and “potentially disenfranchise a significant number of voters, including those with disabilities.”
Texas Senator Bob Hall (District 2) has filed Senate Bill 76 to eliminate countywide polling. SB 76 has been forwarded to the Senate State Affairs Committee. Also, Texas Representative David Lowe (District -91) has introduced an identical bill, currently unassigned to any committee.
Wirtz Road Bridge In other business, Dockery reported the Wirtz Dam road and bridge project near Marble Falls “is still moving forward.”
“It is a seriously much needed project for our area,” Dockery said.
The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization is funding most of $35 million for project, he added.
“It will alleviate congestion on U.S. 281 and relieve traffic flows,” Dockery said.
Emergency Management Coordinator Derek Marchio told the commissioners he is working with the County Health Authority to monitor “potential cases” of measles in the area.
Measles Alert
Recently, three possible measles cases turned up negative, and test results related to one other measles case is pending, he added.
“We will keep you informed,” Marchio said.
Also during the meeting, the commissioners:
• Re-appointed Dr. Juliette Madrigal to serve as the County Health Authority through Dec. 31, 2026;
• Approved technology funds of $1,650 for Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace Roxanne Nelson to attend remotely the upcoming technology workshop in Tyler to review casework procedures and financial and form management;
• Endorsed the request recently submitted by Opportunities for Williamson and Burnet Counties to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for continuation of federal funding for the Head Start program; and
• Approved more than $255,000 for renewal of the Texas Association of Counties Risk Management Pool automobile liability and physical damage insurance.
Railroad Permit
Before the meeting ended, Beierle indicated he opposes the possible re-activation of a railroad between Burnet and Lampasas, currently under review by the Texas Railroad Commission.
“It runs straight through the middle of my precinct,” Beierle said. “I think it will go through a large populated area and have a negative impact on landowners over 26 miles.”
