Judge forum addresses growth, transparency, budget management

Three applicants seeking appointment to the vacant Burnet County judge position presented their platforms during a public forum Thursday, Feb. 6, in the Burnet County AgriLife auditorium. Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Alan Trevino, retired Judge Gil Jones, and former state official Bryan Wilson answered 10 prepared questions, addressing county growth, fiscal responsibility, and government transparency.

The forum was moderated by district judges Evan Stubbs and Allan Garrett, who conducted a random drawing to determine the order of speakers. Each applicant had three minutes for introductions, two minutes per question, and three minutes for a concluding statement. 

Burnet County commissioners will vote Tuesday to appoint one of the three candidates.

The county judge seat was left vacant with the resignation of James Oakley in December 2024. The appointed judge will serve out the current term, which runs through 2026. Voters will elect a new county judge in November 2026.

Below is a breakdown of the forum in the order each applicant spoke.

INTRODUCTIONS

Alan Trevino, a resident of Burnet County for nearly six years, spoke about his deep involvement in local charities and his career in law enforcement. A former Texas state trooper with 20 years of service, including time on the governor’s detail, Trevino later founded a security company that has been in business for over two decades. He has also held leadership roles in state security organizations and was appointed to boards focused on school safety and private security. His priorities include budget management, government transparency, and restoring trust in county leadership.

“As a county judge, I will bring my decades of leadership, my proven ability to listen and lead, and my unwavering commitment to integrity and transparency to this role,” Trevino said in his forum introduction.

Bryan Wilson, a resident of Burnet County for 14 years, detailed his experience in agriculture, public administration, and statewide program management. Holding a degree from Texas Tech University and a master’s in public administration, he has worked as a probation officer, managed indigent defense and child welfare programs, and trained law enforcement officials. Wilson emphasized his expertise in financial oversight, government operations, and policy implementation, describing his background in working with state and local officials.

“My values are powerful motivators, and I look forward to answering the questions today,” he said.

Gil Jones, a resident of Burnet County for 40 years, highlighted his extensive background in both public service and business. Having served as a judge for 16 years in the 33rd Judicial District, as well as being appointed justice of the peace, he stressed his experience in handling judicial matters. In addition to his legal work, Jones is a Certified Public Accountant with international auditing experience, having worked with multinational corporations. He noted that his judicial experience makes him uniquely qualified to manage the legal responsibilities of the county judge role.

“I’m the only one able to immediately handle the judicial portion for the county judge’s job—that is important,” Jones said.

QUESTIONS

QUESTION 1: What specific qualifications, experience, and personal strengths make you the most effective candidate for county judge? Do you intend to run in the 2026 election?

Wilson pointed to his master’s degree in public administration and his long career managing state programs. He described himself as a problem solver focused on cost-effective governance and positive community outcomes. He does not plan to run in the 2026 election.

“My vision for Burnet County is a cost-effective and responsive government that delivers quality services.”

Jones stressed his judicial and financial expertise, referencing his 16 years as a district judge and his CPA background. He emphasized he would not run in 2026, believing the interim role should be focused on governing rather than campaigning.

“I have executive-level management experience in the judiciary and have handled multimillion-dollar budgets. I’ve served on boards, created public defender programs, and worked on regional collaboration.”

Trevino highlighted his experience in law enforcement and administration, noting his tenure as Burnet County Sheriff’s Office chief deputy and his extensive budget management experience. He said he is already committed to running in 2026, arguing that continuity in leadership is crucial.

“I currently manage 40 percent of the county’s budget and oversee many of its employees (at the BCSO). I have real-time emergency management experience, I oversee law enforcement operations, and I’ve worked with various government agencies.”

QUESTION 2: How will you ensure county employees receive equitable treatment and prevent favoritism?

Jones called for a structured review system to ensure accountability and equal treatment, stressing that merit should be the driving factor in promotions and compensation.

“This is a meritocracy. Everyone has to be looked at and evaluated in equitable terms.”

Trevino advocated for competitive salaries and an open-door policy, emphasizing the importance of employee retention through fair pay and workplace morale.

“I’ve had captains, lieutenants, and road deputies come see me regularly. We must ensure our employees feel valued and supported.”

Wilson promoted a hands-on approach, including direct engagement with employees and structured performance evaluations to ensure merit-based advancement.

“I believe in walk-around management. I really go and take on jobs and help people do what they’re responsible for so that I’m fully aware of what’s going on in my department or my agency.”

QUESTION 3: How would you manage the county budget and existing debt to control taxes while maintaining essential services?

Trevino emphasized cost-cutting through budget audits and allocating surplus funds to pay off debt. 

“We don’t have to take on debt year after year. … We need to stop that …However much money is left over from the previous year, use that amount to pay down debt rather than use it for other items.”

Wilson pointed to his experience managing state budgets, advocating for ongoing financial assessments to prevent waste and ensure fiscal responsibility.

“I was one of the few managers in state government that would take the time to figure out how to identify that by each quarter and then make sure that I didn’t lapse any funds … reviewing financials quarterly instead of waiting until the next budget cycle is key.”

Jones championed zero-based budgeting and emphasized the importance of reducing long-term debt and maintaining a healthy fund balance to control taxes while preserving essential services

“I would look first at reducing long-term debt because it has the higher interest rate, and that’s very important.”

QUESTION 4: During polarizing times, how will you ensure all citizens feel heard and represented?

Wilson highlighted his commitment to inclusivity and open dialogue by speaking on his past efforts to bring opposing sides together. He also emphasized going into communities to hear from residents who cannot attend meetings. 

“I reach out to people and I figure out ways that … in the court itself, there will be public opportunities to speak on each issue, not just generally, but to give the public an opportunity to speak for each issue.”

Jones focused on his experience as a mediator and his commitment to open communication.

“Transparency is one of the most important things to dissuade these problems, communication is the rest of it. I intend to have something like coffee hours at various places around the county where people can come in and talk to me.”

Trevino highlighted the importance of transparency and engagement with county departments.

“I’d like us to get together and as a group decide who oversees which department out of the four commissioners. Each will be an advocate.”

QUESTION 5: What steps will you take to improve government transparency?

Jones emphasized the importance of public involvement and transparency through workshops and open communication.

“I’ve already mentioned budget workshops. … I would very heartily recommend that we use the workshop method for a lot of other things. … Transparency works two ways. I think the public needs to be transparent with us. I’ve been having some meetings with people and I would talk for a little bit and then I would turn it around and say, ‘You talk to me. You tell me what you’re concerned with.’”

Trevino supported structured budget discussions and ensuring all commissioners are informed about projects before votes take place. 

“All commissioners will be informed and aware of the projects that have gone on in the county.”

Wilson pledged to make all deliberations public and eliminate closed-door decision-making except when legally necessary. 

“I’ll make sure that everything is deliberated in public for the crucial decisions. … There will be no closed-door sessions unless it meets specifically one of the personnel or lawsuit requirements.”

QUESTION 6: How will you balance the demands of this full-time position with any private business interests?

Trevino said his security business is self-sufficient and would not interfere with his responsibilities as judge.

“My office will be open and my responsibility is 24/7. … My company has had zero impact on my availability as chief deputy and will have zero impact on my availability as a county judge.”

Wilson committed to being a full-time county judge with no outside business obligations.

“I’ve got a few cows and I’ve got some fruit trees and some tomato plants, but other than that I’m all in.”

Jones said he would continue limited mediation work but would prioritize the judge role full time.

“I will give this job full-time hours. I will continue my mediation practice, which is very, very flexible. The county will not lack for any piece of my time or my attention.”

QUESTION 7: How will you manage the county’s water resources while supporting economic growth?

Wilson expressed concerns over excessive water use by non-residents and industrial operations, advocating for legislative changes to give counties more control over water management.

“What we need most is advocacy at the county level working with the Texas Association of Counties to give county government more tools, more levers to help with that.”

Jones emphasized the need for groundwater conservation measures and legislative advocacy to protect water resources.

“We don’t need rock crushers. We don’t need anybody who’s going to be taking millions and millions of gallons out of the ground that should go for people, livestock, and crops.”

Trevino called for a regional approach, working with neighboring counties and state agencies to develop a long-term water and infrastructure plan.

“I’ll work with the commissioners to form a long- and short-term and long-term strategic plan on infrastructure, on roads, highways, water development.”

QUESTION 8: How would you address voter intimidation or threats to the democratic process?

All three candidates agreed that any form of voter intimidation or threats should be immediately reported to law enforcement and investigated appropriately.

Jones: “If it’s actual threats, actual intimidation, and if I think there’s even a hint of a crime being involved there, I’m gonna take that to the appropriate authorities and let them deal with it because that’s what they do.”

Trevino: “I would understand the issue and whether or not that there is any actual threat or any actual intimidation involved and then take it to the proper authority.”

Wilson: “County employees, like at the at the election office, shouldn’t shouldn’t be subject to harassment of any kind … or any kind of … intimidation or threat.”

QUESTION 9: How will you ensure Burnet County’s rapid growth is well-managed?

Trevino proposed developing five-, 10-, and 15-year infrastructure plans in collaboration with stakeholders.

“I plan on forming, with the help of the commissioners, a long- and short-term plan for Burnet County, for infrastructure, again, roads, highways, water and development.”

Wilson stressed the importance of securing more county authority over development regulations to better manage growth.

“We need a short-term plan, but more importantly, a 10- to 15-year plan to make sure we know what to do. … You’re not going to be able to stop growth.”

Jones spoke on a 25-year planning mindset, advocating for regional collaboration to address long-term growth challenges.

“You can make five-year plans, 10-year plans—every couple of years you revise those—but if you have a 25-year horizon, you’re thinking about where we’re going to get 25 years from now.”

QUESTION 10: How will you address road maintenance and infrastructure improvements without significantly raising taxes?

Wilson said he would work with commissioners to establish road standards.

“Each commissioner is elected for that role. … As county judge, you can try to get the commissioners to adopt some standards that they all agreed to, whether it’s the type of road base or the measurements.”

Jones agreed.

“The county judge works with the commissioners, and the commissioners with the county judge. … The county judge will be key to things such as Mr. Wilson was talking about: working with, cooperating, and having them cooperating among themselves to develop these standards that are best for the entire county.”

Trevino suggested rolling over surplus funds from the county budget to road projects while ensuring commissioners prioritize maintenance.

“At the end of the year, as I mentioned earlier, we’re going to have a surplus of funds … that’s going to go into the fund balance or be rolled over to help if there’s a roadway in need.”

The Burnet County Commissioners Court is set to appoint a new county judge Tuesday, Feb. 11, following formal interviews with the applicants. The meeting is open to the public. It starts at 9 a.m. in the second-floor courtroom at the Burnet County Courthouse, 220 S. Pierce St. in Burnet.

elizabeth@thepicayune.com