As the new year takes its first tiny steps into Bur - net County, it is time to review briefly key events The Highlander reported during 2023, including moments of celebration, challenge, change, respon - sibility, sadness and hope.
Jan. 1
Several local elect - ed and re-elected Burnet County officials were sworn into office, includ - ing County Commission - er Pct. 2 Damon Beierle, Justice of the Peace Pct. 4 Debra Bindseil, County Treasurer Karrie Crown - over, County Commis - sioner Pct. 4 Joe Don Dockery, County Court at Law Judge Cody Hen - son, Justice of the Peace Pct. 4 Jane Marie Hurst, Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1 Roxanne Nelson, Coun - ty Judge James Oakley, County Clerk Vicinta Staf - ford, 424th District Court Judge Evan Stubbs, Dis - trict Clerk Casie Walker, Justice of the Peace Pct. 2 Lisa Whitehead. Jan. 4
The Burnet County Commissioners Court ap - pointed Derek Marchio as emergency management coordinator. Previously, the U.S. Army combat veteran was employed in Killeen as the city emergency management specialist.
Feb. 8
Burnet County Tour - ism Director Blair Man - ning announced the Bur - net County Eclipse Task Force is meeting once a month to prepare for the total solar eclipse Mon - day, April 8, 2024. Many scientists believe Burnet County is a prime loca - tion for visitors to experi - ence the rare astronomical event.
March 7
Burnet County Judge James Oakley is indicted on four counts by a grand jury including, one count of abuse of official capac - ity (a class A misdemean - or); one count of abuse of official capacity (class B misdemeanor); one count of fabricating/tampering physical evidence (third-degree felony); and one count of official oppression (class A misdemeanor). The Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct suspended Oakley without pay following the indictments.
March 10
Many Burnet residents remembered the terrible tornado that roared through their town about 4:06 a.m. Saturday, March 10, 1973. Although the horrific storm damaged many businesses and homes and caused minor injuries, no deaths were reported.
March 23
The Burnet County Commissioners Court appointed Pct. 4 Commissioner Joe Don Dockery (senior commissioner) to serve as the court presiding officer until the suspension of Oakley is resolved.
April 11
Burnet City Council approved aid of $100,000 for the Hill Country Humane Society Animal Shelter, which plans to purchase a new 34-foot mobile adoption and spay/ neuter unit.
May 10
The rising cost of homes and new construction prompted the Burnet Central Appraisal District to increase by 25% property appraisals for Burnet County residents.
June 16
The Central Texas Groundwater Conservation District maintained a critical stage 4 mandatory water use reduction of 15% until further notice.
June 28
The Burnet County Commissioners Court approved the plat for the Estates of Dominion Ranch new subdivision planned for the northeast section of the county. Prior to approval, the court discussed the availability of groundwater for the property.
July 10
433th Judicial District Judge Dib Waldrip quashed three of four misdemeanor charges against Burnet County Judge James Oakley. The remaining charge alleged Oakley violated his role as county judge when he allegedly drove his county vehicle three times in 2021 to attend Pedernales Electric Cooperative meetings at PEC headquarters in Johnson City, where he is an elected board member of the utility co-op.
July 11
Because of heightened wildfire risk, the Burnet County Commissioners Court imposed a burn ban on the unincorporated areas of the county.
Aug. 1
The Texas Lottery Commission reported one anonymous customer purchased one winning Texas Lottery ticket worth $4 million in Burnet inside the Hoover Valley Country Store at 7203 Park Road 4 west.
Aug. 22
Because of persistent three-digit temperatures and virtually no rain for several weeks, upon the advice of County Emergency Management Coordinator Derek Marchio, the Burnet County Commissioners Court declared the county is suffering an “extreme drought disaster” and ordered all county residents to follow all water-use restrictions and reduce water use as much as possible.
Sept. 1
The Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct reinstated Burnet County Judge James Oakley one day after a trial jury in Blanco County found him not guilty on one count of abuse of official capacity.
Sept. 12
The Burnet County Commissioners Court re-assigned the disbursem*nt of budgeted salary (back pay valued at more than $58,000) to County Judge James Oakley to cover the period from March to August when the Texas Commission on Judicial Contact suspended Oakley from his duties for alleged offenses. However, the court denied payment of legal fees to Oakley.
Burnet Consolidated Independent School District Superintendent Keith McBurnett announced his decision to retire June 30, 2024, at the end of the school year.
Sept. 26
Despite objections from Sheriff Calvin Boyd, the Burnet County Commissioners Court approved hiring the forensic accounting firm Baker Tilly to conduct an audit to examine county payroll “potential irregularities.”
Oct. 2
Texas Department of Transportation officials announced plans for various highway improvements through southeast Burnet County near Double Horn Creek, Texas 71 and Spur 191, close to one busy intersection near the Opie’s Barbecue, Spicewood Community Library, Spicewood Elementary School and several other businesses and growing residential areas.
TxDOT officials antici pated the project to begin by April 2026 at an estimated cost of $16 million.
Oct. 15
The Central Texas Groundwater Conservation District continued stage 4 mandatory reduction of groundwater use by 15 % until further notice.
Oct. 19
H-E-B Groceries completed the monthslong renovation of its store in Burnet at 105 S. Boundary.
Oct. 25
Lower temperatures and a welcome amount of rainfall prompted the Burnet County Commissioners Court to lift the burn ban.
Nov. 7
Burnet County voters approved all but one of 14 propositions for a state constitutional amendment during Election Day. As did the majority of Texas voters, county voters rejected Proposition 13 to increase the mandatory age of retirement for state justices and judges.
Dec. 1
Upon a petition filed by Kenneth Reagor, the 424th Judicial District Court Judge Evan Stubbs approved a temporary restraining order to delay demolition of the burnedout Reagor building in Burnet at 300 N. Water St.
Dec. 12
The Burnet County Commissioners Court approved at roughly $1.3 million a new agreement with Turn Key Health Clinics to provide county jail inmates with medical and mental health services.
Dec. 15
The Central Texas Groundwater Conservation District continued stage 4 mandatory reduction of groundwater use by 15 % until further notice.
