Sept. 5
The Marble Falls City Council declared Sept. 6 “Mike Hodge Day” before Hodge stepped down from the post he held for 10 years. Mayor John Packer praised Hodge for his dedication to several municipal projects, including flood mitigation, design and funding of the new water and wastewater system, several downtown improvements and several other accomplishments that “are a lasting contribution the city,” Packer said.
This year’s AquaBoom celebration may have taken place later than usual, but the excitement was just as strong when the community gathered August 29–31 in Kingsland. Postponed from July 4th due to flooding, the new weekend brought neighbors and visitors together for parades, games, music, and fireworks—all the traditions that make AquaBoom a highlight of the summer.
Sept. 12 $3M jail surplus prompts chief's request for more personnel
Burnet County Commissioners Court recently discussed a status update related to the Fiscal Year 2026 Burnet County budget. 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 met Sept. 9 in Burnet at the Burnet County Courthouse, 220 S. Pierce St. Wilson mentioned the draft FY 2026 budget requires several “edits” and “corrections” before the budget is scheduled to be adopted Sept. 30. Burnet County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Alan Trevino presented statistics to indicate Burnet County Jail operations are projected to produce surplus revenue of more than $3 million through Sept. 30, when FY 2025 comes to an end. Also, Trevino asked the court to consider the addition of four new deputies to the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office.
Sept. 12
LCRA to lower Inks Lake for 8 weeks
Beginning Oct. 1, the Lower Colorado River Authority will lower Inks Lake by about 8 feet this fall to provide property owners an opportunity to work on docks, boat slips and other shoreline structures like retaining walls, dredge up to 2,000 cubic yards of material and remove debris from the lake and shoreline.
Sept. 16
Court-at-law judge joins proposed pay hikes
Burnet County officials have added another elected official to the list of proposed pay raises during Fiscal Year 2026, which begins Oct. 1. The Highlander first reported elected officials pegged for cost-of-living salary increases included the county attorney, sheriff, county judge, district clerk, county clerk, tax assessor, county treasurer and each one of the four county commissioners, justices of the peace and constables. Then, Burnet County Judge Bryan Wilson said he realized someone was missing from the posted list of officials slated for a salary increase.
Sept. 19
Commissioners revamp budget for deputy funding
At the final hour, Burnet County commissioners overhauled portions of the upcoming fiscal year budget Sept. 16 to find money to add four deputies in Burnet County Sheriff’s Office.
Sept. 19
Council approves $21M budget, same tax rate
Marble Falls City Council approved their multimillion dollar budget and same tax rate for fiscal year (FY) 2025- 2026, during its recent meeting at City Hall, 800 Third Street. Mayor Pro-tem Craig Magerkurth and council members Dee Haddock, Lauren Haltom, Karlee Hubble, and Griff Morris approved a budget of more than $21 million and the tax rate of .5350 cents per $100 of property valuation for FY 2026, set to begin Oct. 1. According to city officials, the rate of .5350 is the same amount as the current rate.
Sept. 19
County withdraws raises for elected officials
During the Sept. 16 meeting, the Burnet County Commissioners decided to deny salary increases of 2.7% for several local elected officials, including the county clerk, county judge, county constables, county commissioners, county tax assessor, county sheriff, county treasurer, district clerk and justices of the peace. However, pay increases for the county attorney and the county court-at-law judge are expected to go into effect Oct. 1.
Sept. 23
KMUD buys Lions Park from Kingsland Chamber
The Kingsland Municipal Utility District board recently approved the purchase of the Kingsland Community Park (also known as the “Lions Park”) from the Kingsland Chamber of Commerce. The board members approved $126,000 for the purchase of the park during its Sept. 22 meeting, soon after they emerged from an executive session.
Sept. 26
County commissioners plan to file suit against transmission line
Recently, the Burnet County Commissioners Court discussed the 765- volt electric transmission line proposed to run through the county. During the regular meeting Sept. 23, Pct. 1 Commissioner Jim Luther Jr., Pct. 2 Commissioner Damon Beierle, Pct. 3 Commissioner Chad Collier and Pct. 4 Commissioner Joe Don Dockery discussed the matter in executive session along with County Special Counsel Randy Leavitt and Attorney Consultant Margaret Pemberton. Immediately following the 45-minute session, Beierle announced the court is “heading toward a filing in December.”
Sept. 26-Photo 17
Ark of Highland Lakes receives $400K donation
The devastation the July flooding brought to Burnet County is slowly beginning to heal. Burnet County had over 450 homes with either minor or major damage and some destroyed, and now thanks to significant donations from Capital Area Housing Finance Corporation (CAHFC), those individuals that experienced damage to their homes from the flooding may soon be getting some relief.CAHFC announced Sept. 22 that the board elected to make a $400,000 donation to the Ark of Highland Lakes specifically to assist with housing needs. This is the largest disaster donation the CAHFC has ever made, officials say. These funds may be used to purchase replacement RVs, to rebuild homes, or to provide for temporary housing to those in need.
Oct. 3
Horseshoe Bay town hall paves way for future
Horseshoe Bay city leaders took time to sing the praises of the municipality at a town hall meeting Thursday, Sept. 25, while also surveying residents for ideas about the direction of the city. Key to the meeting, attended by about 180 at the Quail Point Lodge, was the city’s comprehensive plan, which is scheduled to provide guidance for Horseshoe Bay through the year 2040.
Oct. 3
Officials update on rocket test explosion
Burnet County Commissioners Sept. 30 heard an update about area emergency crews’ response to an explosion at the Firefly Rock Ranch near Briggs. County Emergency Management Coordinator Derek Marchio reported the explosion of a test rocket at the venue Sept. 29 was “easily contained” thanks to “great mitigation” and “low grass” levels at the facility. Northeast Burnet County Fire and Rescue, Bertram Fire Department and Williamson County ESD No. 7 responded to assist at the site, Marchio said. “Their manpower and equipment was utilized,” he added. Marchio indicated no injuries occurred at the scene.
Oct. 7
Sweet Maxi shines again as Guinness world record holder
The official Horn Showcase satellite measuring event was held Sept. 27 at Cold Copper Cattle Company Ranch, located at 2855 CR 330. Sweet Maxi EOT, the current Guinness World Record holder, was the star of the day and once again came out on top. She measured 118.6875” tip-to-tip, 137.3750” total horn, and 256.0625” composite.
Oct. 10
Sunrise Beach to determine new form of government
Sunrise Beach will cast their ballots for or against a proposition that would potentially require a city manager/council form of municipal government.
The Village of Sunrise Beach currently has a mayor/council form of government where the allvolunteer elected officials stewards paid city staff.
A group of residents successfully put forth the item on the ballot for this year’s election.
Oct. 10
City shaves back Roper Ranch development
Marble Falls City Council recently agreed to reduce the size of the Roper Ranch Public Improvement District (PID). The council decided to change the PID size during the Oct. 7 meeting at city hall, 800 Third St. Property owners within the district are obligated now to pay “special assessment taxes” on roughly 325 acres rather than 360 acres for the development at U.S. 281 and FM 2147. “They (developers) realized 360 acres would not benefit the property,” Public finance attorney Gregory Miller told council members.
Isaiah Mueller raised his heavyweight belt afterwinning third in the hot dog eating contest at WakePoint LBJ Aug 30.
Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography
Local officials representing the Capital Area Housing Finance Corporation, from left, are Blanco County Judge-Brett Bray, Bastrop County Commissioner Clara Beckett, CAPCOG Directorof Homeland Security and Caldwell County resident Martin Ritchey, Arkof Highland Lakes Directors Rachel and Kevin Naumann, Burnet County Judge-Bryan Wilson, CAHFC Executive Director Andrea Shields and former CAHFCExecutive Director Jim Shaw.
Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography
