'God, we need a bountiful amount of rain.'
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Out of control burns tax local agencies, pictured here in Granite Shoals, as severe conditions are more likely to spark a runaway blaze. Contributed photo
No rain, yes pain.
And, the heat is on.
Thus, for the first time since eight months ago, the Burnet County Commissioners Court has declared a burn ban throughout its unincorporated domain until further notice.
Recent weather including low levels of sporadic rainfall and persistent high temperatures near or above 100 degrees Fahrenheit prompted the court to impose the ban during its July 11 meeting.
“God, we need a bountiful amount of rain,” Precinct 2 Commissioner Damon Beierle pronounced during the invocation.
Indeed, the recent Keetch-Byram Drought Index managed by the University of Texas A&M Forest Service indicates the county is vulnerable to an outbreak of intense wild fires that could burn or smolder over several days.
No discussion followed after Precinct 1 Commissioner Jim Luther Jr. motioned to approve the burn ban.
The burn ban prohibits persons from causing outdoor ignition of any material which could create black smoke or flames or sparks including asphalt, chemical waste, electrical insulation, lumber, natural or synthetic rubber, heavy oil and plastic.
Any person who deliberately violates a burn ban order could be charged with a Class C misdemeanor and ordered to pay a fine of $500.
— Damon Beierle Pct. 2 Commissioner For more information related to the burn ban, call the Sheriff at 512756-8080, the County Courthouse at 512-7565420 or Development Services at 512-756-5437.
Test Kits
Turning to another matter, the court accepted more than 30 COVID test kits donated by Sue Jeffcoat.
Human Resources Director Sara Ann Luther is the kits custodian.
“We didn’t purchase them, we just have them,” Luther told the court. “I realize they are not needed as much as they were years ago.”
Be that as it may, the kits are available for county employees, Luther added.
General distribution of the kits will be considered during a future meeting, Dockery said.
Tax Rate
Also during the meeting, Dockery pointed out, the court plans to adopt a property tax rate during its Aug. 8 meeting.
“Hopefully, no one (of the court or county staff) will have a vacation slated for that time,” Dockery said.
Also, the court:
• Agreed to apply for a maximum grant of $25,000 from the Lower Colorado River Authority Community Development Partnership Program to provide new mobile radios for the Burnet County Sheriff;
• Agreed to apply to the Katherine Hancher Library Foundation for grants to provide the Oakalla Library and other Burnet County libraries with new computers; and
• Approved the preliminary plat for Hoover Valley Crossing, consisting of three lots on more than 9 acres at FM 3509 and CR 116B.