Burleson County Commissioners approve waterline extension, temporary right-of-way, personnel updates and tax exemption

County Judge Keith Schroeder called the Burleson County Commissioners Court to order on July 8, 2024, and the court moved quickly through several infrastructure, personnel and financial items, approving each by unanimous vote.

The court approved the City of Snook’s waterline extension on County Road 269 at County Road 270 after a motion by Commissioner Vincent Svec and a second from Commissioner Dwayne Faust. The court also approved a Temporary Right of Way request from Wildfire Energy LLC to install a temporary water line along County Road 130; that motion was made by Commissioner Faust and seconded by Commissioner Svec. Both infrastructure requests were approved with all members voting aye.

Commissioners updated Road & Bridge staffing nomenclature, voting to adopt a standardized list of position titles and to update titles for current Road & Bridge personnel. Commissioner Vincent Svec moved the change and Commissioner Dwayne Faust seconded; the motion passed unanimously.

The court approved a 25% county tax exemption for a property nominated as a historical home for Kenny Tharp. The motion was made by Commissioner Robert “Bobby” Urbanosky and seconded by Commissioner Vincent Svec and carried with unanimous approval.

On personnel and contract matters, the court extended an Indigent Defense Services contract for Justin Fohn from July 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2024, with $642 to be offset by remaining funds under the TIDC Improvement Grant – Supplemental #PB-22-026. Commissioner Svec moved the extension and Commissioner Faust seconded it; the court approved the extension unanimously.

Public safety and county operations were also on the agenda. Chief Rios told the court the county jail held 58 inmates — 52 males and 6 females — and that the jail and dispatch offices were without power that morning. He also reported that the primary finance report had been completed and submitted to the State.

County Judge Keith Schroeder reported that phones are now working at the new building off FM 166 and at the Precinct 1 and Precinct 3 Road & Bridge locations. He said he interviewed a candidate for the Veterans Officer position and that Tina Smith will hold that post. Judge Schroeder also summarized a June 28 meeting of nearby county judges and some legislators that he described as beneficial for discussing county issues and legislation.

County auditors presented a GASB Statement No. 75 OPEB report for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2023, listing an amount of $30,890.00. Commissioner Vincent Svec reported that blade mix had been laid in the Beaver Creek Subdivision during his commissioner’s report.

The court adopted the June 2024 minutes as the consent agenda, authorized payment of bills and adjourned. Each formal motion recorded in the minutes was approved with all members voting aye.

The court referenced attachments for more detailed materials (public forum remarks, engineering and contract attachments, and the draft subdivision rules) that were noted in the record but are not included in the meeting minutes text.