More than 200 local business and civic leaders gathered Jan. 6 in Marble Falls at the Lakeside Pavilion to serve as participants and witnesses to the first Burnet County “State of the County” luncheon, hosted by the Marble Falls/Highland Lakes Area and Burnet chambers of commerce.
The program featured remarks by Pct. 2 Commissioner Damon Beierle, Pct. 4 Commissioner Joe Don Dockery and Burnet County Development Services Director Herb Darling.
Generally, the state of the county is good – but roads to continued growth could be thorny.
Heading into 2026, Beierle emphasized the county currently carries “a healthy fund balance” thanks in part to federal funds set aside for area hospitals without demand to raise local taxes.
“That has a huge impact you may not notice on a day-to-day basis,” Beierle added.
(The county fund balance is more than $65 million, according to county treasurer records).
Beierle praised the Central Texas Groundwater Conservation District for its persistent efforts to preserve the Ellenburger and Trinity aquifers for future groundwater use.
“My hat is off to (District General Manager) Mitchell Sodek for his leadership,” Beierle said. “Each of the district board members and county officials are working together very well to find ways to protect your groundwater.”
Beierle praised the sheriff’s office and local emergency medical services.
“I would rank us with any county in the state, as we are prepared to be there for the county during its time of need,” Beierle said.
Dockery and Darling stressed continued growth in the county could present certain challenges.
“Burnet County is growing,” Dockery told the crowd. “People have discovered the magic of our beautiful area.”
Numerous improvements to several key local roadways are underway, including Texas 29, Texas 71 and U.S. 281, as well as the impeding completion of the new Wirtz Dam Bridge, Dockery pointed out.
Moreover, the county property tax rate is at its lowest point since 1992, he added.
On the other hand, county officials must monitor the amount of surface water available for commercial use and residential consumption, Dockery added.
“We are short of (surface) water,” Dockery said bluntly. “I believe the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) has outsold the water we need. We have to stay on top of that.”
County officials communicate with LCRA officials “on a daily basis,” Darling said.
“But county leaders possess no zoning authority,” he added. “We can only do what the state allows us to do. The state legislature keeps taking tools out of our toolbox. It is really tough to manage from a county perspective.”
Currently, his office is processing 19 applications for new subdivisions, Darling said.
Fortunately, more than 80 % of subdivision developers are following practices above and beyond county standards, he added.
“Growth is a four-letter word – actually six letters,” Darling quipped. “But without growth - you are dying.”
