During their recent meeting, the Burnet County Commissioners Court discussed the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) and Oncor Electric Delivery LLC plan to build a 765-volt transmission line through Burnet and several other counties.
The commissioners discussed the issue during the executive session at the May 26 meeting.
County Attorney Eddie Arredondo and attorney Margaret Pemberton joined the commissioners to address the issue which has spurred much controversy for several months.
After the end of the brief closed-door meeting, County Judge Bryan Wilson announced the commissioners took no action.
However, Wilson noted, the court remains an “intervenor” in the transmission case, now under review by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT).
Also, the judge noted, earlier this month, Pct. 2 Commissioner Damon Beierle appeared before PUCT officials to an - nounce county officials “oppose all routes that traverse Burnet County, Texas.”
Too, Wilson said, PUCT plans June 8 to begin the "first round of state administrative hearings” pertaining to the transmission case.
Warning Sirens
Turning to another matter, the commissioners interviewed four prospective vendors hoping to provide the county with “project management services” related to the installation of outdoor warning sirens, particularly during foul weather and immi- nent flood danger.
“We really do not have the (engineering) expertise within the county to make it happen,” Wilson said.
After several minutes, the commissioners unanimously selected Streamline Engineering based in San Antonio to provide the services at an amount not to exceed $50,000.
Funding for the services will come from the Texas Legislature, as authorized by Senate Bill 3, Wilson said.
Also unanimously, the commissioners approved hiring a second full-time clerk to assist Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace Roxanne Nelson through the remainder of Fiscal Year 2026, which ends Oct. 31.
The rising numbers of “longer and more protracted” civil cases has prompted the need for another clerk, Nelson told the commissioners.
“We could use the additional help,” Nelson said. “There is plenty of money in my budget to hire someone now.”
YMCA Update
During his update before the commissioners, YMCA of the Highland Lakes Executive Director Gary Grumoli expressed that the facility remains committed to several activities including swim lessons, pickle ball, indoor walking, swim les- sons and "sit to be fit" chair exercises.
“A lot of good things are going on,” Grumoli said.
Meals on Wheels
Opportunities for Williamson & Burnet Counties Executive Director Marco Cruz mentioned his organization continues to support the popular Meals on Wheels organization, which prepares more than 50,000 meals annually for senior citizens.
“We could always use more volunteers,” Cruz said.
Library Donation
Also, the county approved the donation of $20,000 from the Friends of the Herman Brown Free Library to support the library in Burnet at 100 E. Washington St., one block north of the County Courthouse.
Friends Treasurer Garrett Rowe presented the donation to Library Director Florence Reeves.
