Griffin Sommer, 29, of Marble Falls has died from his injuries after being hit by a vehicle while attempting to cross U.S. 281 on foot at the Third Street intersection.

According to a Marble Falls Police Department media release, the accident happened at 8:21 p.m. April 3 when Sommer crossed the highway while southbound traffic had a greenlight. The vehicle’s driver reportedly stopped to render aid, and first responders were on the scene within minutes of the collision. Sommer was transported to Dell Seton Medical Center in Austin by helicopter in critical condition. He died on April 23.

Sommer was an active member of the Hill Country Community Theatre in Cottonwood Shores. After the accident, while Sommer was still in critical condition, HCCT directors Heidi and Daniel Melton established a GoFundMe account to raise money for expenses.

“Daniel and I have been in close contact with Griffin’s mother, and it’s clear that the family is now facing the unimaginable,” the Meltons wrote on the GoFundMe page. “Griffin has the warmest heart and a soul full of light. He has always been the first to offer a helping hand, and now it’s our turn to show up for him and his family. If you’re able, please consider making a donation. Every little bit helps. And if you’re not in a position to give, we ask that you share this campaign and keep Griffin and his family in your thoughts and prayers.”

dakota@thepicayune.com

The exact population of Marble Falls is hard to pin down without a more recent U.S. Census count, but city staff believe it could be as high as 9,783, based on the number of new homes and apartments. That guess could be a bit high, but it is more accurate than the “6,077” currently on Marble Falls city limit signs.

Marble Falls Development Services issued a report in October 2024 estimating the city’s population to be about 8,395, which was around 13 percent more than the U.S. Census’ 2022 estimate of 7,423. 

The 9,783 estimate reported during a Marble Falls City Council meeting April 15 is 29.18 percent higher than the U.S. Census’ 2023 estimate of 7,573 and greater than Development Services’ 2027 population prediction of 9,578.

The next official U.S. Census count is scheduled for 2030. The last one was done in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Development Services Director Scarlett Moreno explained that the department’s estimates are based on a formula that uses the number of available multi-family housing units and single-family housing units and a household occupancy of 2.34 people. Development Services skews the numbers, estimating 70 percent total occupancy for multi-family housing and 90 percent for single-family housing.

“We recognize that this approach can lead to overestimation, especially when new multi-family developments are not yet fully occupied,” she told DailyTrib.com. “We are actively working on a long-term solution to improve the accuracy of our estimates moving forward.”

While the exact number of Marble Falls residents is difficult to determine, the number of new residences is not. Exactly 822 multi-family units and 155 single-family units have come online since October 2024. This can be attributed to the completion of multi-family projects at Thunder Rock Prose, ParcHaus, and Flatz 281.

More housing is on the way, including 164 multi-family units already permitted and 675 in review from other developments.

“The recent population growth that we’ve seen in Marble Falls illustrates just how much pent-up demand there has been for housing in our market,” said Marble Falls Economic Development Corp. Executive Director Christian Fletcher. “Now that we have a growing supply of new single-family homes and apartments, we should be able to better accommodate the needs of our workforce.”

dakota@thepicayune.com

Burnet voters will decide key leadership positions in the upcoming at-large election May 3 that includes three candidates running for mayor and four candidates running for three council seats.

At-large races are voted on by an entire electorate.

Running for the three council positions are incumbent Ricky Langley, incumbent Tres Clinton, incumbent Joyce Laudenschlager, and Dennis Langley. The top three vote-getters win a seat.

The mayor’s race features incumbent Gary Wideman, Cliff Hirneisen, and Anthony J. Francisco.

Burnet City Council members serve two-year terms. The mayor and councilors oversee city policy decisions, infrastructure management, growth planning, and public service investments.

Early voting ends Tuesday, April 29. The election is Saturday, May 3. Polling locations can be found on the Burnet County Elections webpage.

DailyTrib.com asked the candidates for brief biographies as well as the same questions about their candidacy and issues facing Burnet. Bios have been edited for space. The candidates’ complete responses, received via email, follow.

MAYORAL RACE

J. ANTHONY FRANCISCO

Francisco lives near the Burnet town square. After graduating from Burnet High School in 1999 and earning a degree in biology from St. Edward’s University in Austin, he returned to Burnet County in 2006. He works as a mortgage broker and loan officer and owns a company called Thess Mortgage.

QUESTION 1: What motivated you to run for public office, and how do your experiences prepare you to serve the Burnet community?

FRANCISCO: My motivation is to be a servant leader for the citizens of Burnet and the employees of the City of Burnet. Throughout my career—whether it’s working on development projects or brokering loans—I’ve worked with teams, sometimes leading, sometimes supporting. Teamwork is always at the forefront for me. I was an athlete in high school and college, and that mindset stayed with me. I want to be someone who brings unity and helps move things forward.

QUESTION 2: How do you plan to address specific challenges like infrastructure development, housing affordability, and economic growth?

FRANCISCO: I’ve been studying the city charter to understand how it supports growth and where it might need adjustments. We need strong public services—fire, police, utilities—and a charter that protects them even as we grow.

For housing affordability, I’m especially concerned about big box builders pushing up prices. As a mortgage broker, I see firsthand how these deals sometimes hurt local buyers—people get locked into overpriced homes that don’t match the appraisals. I want to protect buyers by making sure developers meet fair standards, giving local builders a fair shot too, and keeping housing prices attainable for working families.

QUESTION 3: If you received a $1 million grant to use for the city in any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why?

FRANCISCO: I would invest it into building self-sustainability within our public services. Specifically, I would back the fire and police departments to create training programs that bring people from across the state here for education. That way, we generate revenue for the departments, strengthen our local services, and become a model for other communities. Any leftover funds would go toward improving other city services.

QUESTION 4: How do you plan to get the community more engaged in decision-making?

FRANCISCO: I would encourage City Council members, including myself, to hold regular office hours. Even if only one person shows up a month, it would give people a low-pressure opportunity to talk to us without the intimidation of formal meetings. Making government more accessible is key to better engagement.

QUESTION 5: Are you actively campaigning in any way?

FRANSCISCO: I post daily on social media about where I’ll be sitting for public meet-and-greet opportunities—whether it’s at a local restaurant or business. I’m also sending out a mailer with my schedule, early voting hours, and election day details. I want to make it easy for people to connect and get involved.

GARY WIDEMAN

Wideman has lived in Burnet for 18 years. A long-time State Farm Insurance agent, he has served the city on the Airport Advisory Board, Burnet Economic Development Corp. Board of Directors, Burnet Chamber of Commerce Board, and the City Council, including eight years as mayor.

QUESTION 1: What motivated you to run for public office, and how do your experiences prepare you to serve the Burnet community?

WIDEMAN: My dad was the Mayor of the town I grew up in for 10 years. While there were challenges, seeing the good he did for our community, especially looking back now, I knew that wherever my family planted roots, it was in my future. I’ve loved this community from the start and wanted to be part of shaping its future. My career as a State Farm agent really dovetailed into serving. It’s what I do. I’ve served on the Airport Board, Burnet Economic Development Board, Burnet Chamber of Commerce Board and the City Council for 9 years, 8 of those as Mayor. Eleven of my 18 years here in Burnet have been given to this community with great joy.

QUESTION 2: How do you plan to address specific challenges like infrastructure development, housing affordability, and economic growth?

WIDEMAN: This is one of the great challenges many small communities are currently facing. 

Much of the infrastructure we have is 20-30 years old. Working with all council members and city staff, we have repaved more than 50 percent of our streets, rehabbed existing water wells, updated our electrical and water plant components and have worked closely with developers to assure we can provide the best service possible. 

We will continue to be challenged on housing costs as available land inside the city limits is dwindling and demand from growth continues to accelerate. Economically, we have seen good growth as sales tax receipts continue to grow and chamber membership expands.

QUESTION 3: If you received a $1 million grant to use for the city in any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why?

WIDEMAN: I’d like to help businesses on our entry corridors (Texas 29 and U.S. 281) clean up and landscape to make the approach to Burnet more appealing. Second, I’d love to improve our park system. I’d like to see Hamilton Creek connected all the way to the YMCA and add an outdoor pickleball facility.

QUESTION 4: How do you plan to get the community more engaged in decision-making?

WIDEMAN: We instituted a product called Flashvote in my current term, which gives our citizens the ability to express their opinions on a variety of topics. We started a strategic plan in February of this year guided by the information we received to better prepare for the future. 

I’ve spoken at many chambers breakfasts and luncheons and always give folks the opportunity to ask questions. Most importantly, the front door to my office is always open. I believe you have to be accessible all the time.

QUESTION 5: Are you actively campaigning in any way?

WIDEMAN: In general, no. My record and experience as Mayor for eight years is very well known, as is my service to this community. I opted not to place campaign signs all over the place or clutter mailboxes and door jams with flyers because it flies in the face of my wanting to beautify our community by avoiding eyesores. If, at the end of the day, folks want change as opposed to experience, that’s okay. I’m just glad to see citizens taking an interest in being involved.

CLIFF HIRNEISEN

Hirneisen lives near the intersection of Texas 29 and U.S. 281 and has resided in Burnet for about 2½ years. After working 33 years in construction, he became a registered nurse at a psychiatric state hospital in Pennsylvania before retiring and moving to Texas. Hirneisen told DailyTrib.com he has plans to move to Kenya if he does not win the race.

QUESTION 1: What motivated you to run for public office, and how do your experiences prepare you to serve the Burnet community?

HIRNEISEN: It kind of just happened. My grandson suggested, ‘Big Poppa, you should run for mayor.’ Since moving here, I’m so happy that my catchphrase is known and anticipated by family and friends: ‘It’s a Great Day in Burnet, Texas, USA!’ Everyone I talk to agrees I would be good for the job. Raising four daughters as a single father and working in healthcare helped me connect with all kinds of people. I see this position as a great opportunity to spread goodwill.

QUESTION 2: How do you plan to address specific challenges like infrastructure development, housing affordability, and economic growth?

HIRNEISEN: I will facilitate good communication between city departments, business leaders, and members of our community. Together we will find ideas and make appropriate goals and plans.

QUESTION 3: If you received a $1 million grant to use for the city in any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why?

HIRNEISEN: I would invest in building a vibrant art and music scene, similar to Marble Falls. Events like Jackson Street Jams and the Bluebonnet Festival show how wonderful it is to see the community come together.

QUESTION 4: How do you plan to get the community more engaged in decision-making?

HIRNEISEN: By word of mouth to everyone I meet. Right now, many people don’t even know who the current mayor is or that there’s an election happening. We need to change that.

QUESTION 5: Are you actively campaigning in any way?

HIRNEISEN: I’m not formally campaigning. You might run into me at H-E-B or at community events. I’m always out and about.

COUNCIL AT-LARGE RACE 

RICKY LANGLEY

Langley lives on Oak Vista Drive inside the Delaware Springs neighborhood and has resided in Burnet for 14 years. A self-employed homebuilder and real estate developer since 1985, he is seeking a third term on the City Council. He also serves on the Burnet Economic Development Corp. and the Hill Country Community Foundation.

QUESTION 1: What motivated you to run for public office, and how do your experiences prepare you to serve the Burnet community?

R. LANGLEY: Local government is something that I have been involved with for several years now. My motivation to continue my service stems from my desire to continue building on the foundation we have established over my previous two terms. I set goals for my time on Council, and through the coordinated teamwork of many, we have been able to achieve most of those goals. However, there are remaining items that I believe my knowledge and experience can continue to contribute toward to ensure continued success within our local government.

The experience I have gained through 40 years of business ownership has given me a unique perspective on the ‘business’ of city government. It is through that lens that I approach each challenge brought before Council and form my opinions, ultimately casting my votes using practical, logical, and fiscally conservative principles. I am focused on sustainable growth while maintaining or lowering our local tax rates.

QUESTION 2: How do you plan to address specific challenges like infrastructure development, housing affordability, and economic growth?

R. LANGLEY: As a real estate developer and homebuilder, these topics are important not just for the city, but also for my local business success. Growth is inevitable and can be a positive thing if handled carefully.

Through my work on the Economic Development Corporation, I advocate for controlled and sustainable growth that preserves Burnet’s small-town charm. For affordable housing, I helped launch the MyTown Initiative several years ago—a public-private venture to offer homes at below-market prices for teachers, first responders, and public servants. I’d like to revive similar efforts.

QUESTION 3: If you received a $1 million grant to use for the city in any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why?

R. LANGLEY: I would use it to upgrade and expand our city parks. Parks are vital for recreation, community events, and quality of life. Improving them would benefit all residents and contribute to healthy, sustainable growth.

QUESTION 4: How do you plan to get the community more engaged in decision-making?

R. LANGLEY: I encourage residents to attend council meetings and make their voices heard. Debate and open communication are fundamental to our system of government, and participation helps us make better decisions.

QUESTION 5: Are you actively campaigning in any way?

R. LANGLEY: I have placed a few banners in visible areas around town and reached out personally to friends, family, clients, and colleagues to encourage them to vote. In small elections like this one, turnout is everything.

JOYCE LAUDENSCHLAGER

Laudenschlager has lived in Burnet for more than 40 years after moving from Indiana with her family. She worked for the city of Burnet for 28 years before retiring in 2014 and has served on the City Council for multiple terms, including a required one-year break between terms.

QUESTION 1: What motivated you to run for public office, and how do your experiences prepare you to serve the Burnet community?

LAUDENSCHLAGER: I worked for the city for 28 years, so I understand how it functions and what the city’s long-term vision is. I wanted to represent everyone in Burnet, not just a specific interest group. I know the direction Burnet needs to go. Over the years, we’ve made major investments in infrastructure like streets and water lines, and I’m proud of how much we’ve accomplished. Living here for over 40 years, I’ve seen how the community has grown, and I believe our current leadership has done a great job moving Burnet forward.

QUESTION 2: How do you plan to address specific challenges like infrastructure development, housing affordability, and economic growth?

LAUDENSCHLAGER: The City Council and the Economic Development Corporation have worked hard to support local businesses, especially during COVID. We also focus heavily on infrastructure. We’ve invested heavily in the roads and water lines and have a long-range plan for street repairs. The city has been fiscally responsible, even as costs have risen. I serve on the streets committee, the finance committee, and the new City Hall building committee to stay involved in these efforts.

QUESTION 3: If you received a $1 million grant to use for the city in any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why?

LAUDENSCHLAGER: I would invest in upgrades to our parks and green spaces. We have a lot of young families and kids here, and they need more activities outside of organized sports. I would also like to see more community events, like summer jam sessions in the park, which draw huge turnouts and help bring everyone together.

QUESTION 4: How do you plan to get the community more engaged in decision-making?

LAUDENSCHLAGER: The city has launched new surveys to collect citizen feedback, and we’re redesigning the city website to make information more accessible. Not everyone can attend meetings in person, so providing easier ways to participate is important.

QUESTION 5: Are you actively campaigning in any way?

LAUDENSCHLAGER: No, I haven’t been actively campaigning. I’ve had some health issues recently, but I’m doing better now. I trust that the residents who know me and my work on the council will make an informed decision.

DENNIS LANGLEY

Langley lives on Highland Drive and has resided in Burnet for 20 years. A self-employed contractor for over 30 years, he previously served on the Burnet City Council from 2022-24.

QUESTION 1: What motivated you to run for public office, and how do your experiences prepare you to serve the Burnet community?

D. LANGLEY: I feel strongly about helping our small community through the growth process and making sure we maintain Burnet’s beauty and hometown atmosphere. My 30-year career in contracting has allowed me to assist city staff, including serving on the oversight committee for the City Hall construction project. I worked to ensure projects were fiscally responsible and well executed. That experience is vital as our community grows.

QUESTION 2: How do you plan to address specific challenges like infrastructure development, housing affordability, and economic growth?

D. LANGLEY: My construction background helps me review development plans carefully. I’ve advocated for larger lot sizes and higher construction standards to protect our neighborhoods from becoming too dense. I believe we can balance growth and affordability without sacrificing the character of Burnet.

QUESTION 3: If you received a $1 million grant to use for the city in any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why?

D. LANGLEY: I would invest it in revitalizing the town square to make it more family-oriented and supportive of local businesses. We’ve already made improvements like updating lamp posts and street signs, but there’s much more we can do to restore the square’s thriving spirit.

QUESTION 4: How do you plan to get the community more engaged in decision-making?

D. LANGLEY: The city has already improved transparency by livestreaming council meetings, sending newsletters, and offering online surveys. I’d like to see even more participation by encouraging residents to join advisory boards and committees.

QUESTION 5: Are you actively campaigning in any way?

D. LANGLEY: I’m using social media, election signs, and—most importantly—personal contact with residents to get my message out.

TRES CLINTON

Clinton is a fourth-generation Burnet resident who lives in the Hills of Shady Grove neighborhood. He works as a flight instructor at the Burnet airport and also works at Camp Longhorn. He is serving his eighth year on the City Council, after a previous six-year term followed by a required one-year break.

QUESTION 1: What motivated you to run for public office, and how do your experiences prepare you to serve the Burnet community?

CLINTON: This is my home, and I have a deep-rooted history here. I truly care about Burnet and want what’s best for it. Serving on council lets me be part of protecting and guiding the future of the community I love.

QUESTION 2: How do you plan to address specific challenges like infrastructure development, housing affordability, and economic growth?

CLINTON: We’re in an interesting time, with a lot of growth coming from the Austin area. Financially, Burnet is in a strong position. We’ve invested more than ever in our streets—over $4 million, the most we’ve ever spent. Water is our next big focus. We need to manage surface and groundwater carefully and make sure we don’t overextend our resources as we grow.

As for housing, property values have gone up, but the city tax rate has stayed the same or gone down. The challenge is that taxes still feel high because of rising valuations, and that’s a real problem. Economic growth is important too, but I believe we need to maintain Burnet’s small-town character and not turn it into another suburb of Austin.

QUESTION 3: If you received a $1 million grant to use for the city in any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why?

CLINTON: Responsibly, I’d invest it in water infrastructure. Water is our biggest challenge and we need to plan ahead. Personally, I’d also love to see some of it go toward building pickleball courts, a dog park, or a food court area. We can do both—address essentials and invest in quality of life.

QUESTION 4: How do you plan to get the community more engaged in decision-making?

CLINTON: It starts with voting, and I wish more people participated in local elections. Beyond that, the city has done a great job with the FlashVote surveys to collect feedback. Those surveys give us real data from hundreds of residents, which helps guide our decisions.

QUESTION 5: Are you actively campaigning in any way?

CLINTON: No, I’m not actively campaigning. All four council candidates are incumbents or former members, so we’re not new to council. I’m just encouraging people to vote and make an informed decision based on our records.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story incorrectly said that mayoral candidate J. Anthony Francisco graduated from Huston-Tillotson University and owns a mortgage company called That Mortgage. He actually graduated from St. Edward’s University in Austin, and his company is called Thess Mortgage. DailyTrib.com apologizes for the errors.

elizabeth@thepicayune.com

Some Highland Lakes residents have taken pollution monitoring into their own hands. The nonprofit Save Burnet recently installed several air-quality monitors around a proposed rock quarry site near Burnet and one near an active rock crusher in Spicewood.

Save Burnet formed last year in response to plans by Austin-based Asphalt Inc. to build a rock-crushing facility at 3221 FM 3509, also called Hoover Valley Road, just southwest of the city of Burnet and near two state parks and a youth summer camp. The aggregate company, which also owns the Spicewood quarry, has applied for permits from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Lower Colorado River Authority for the Burnet-area operation.

Randy Printz, chairman of the nonprofit group, said the citizen-based air-monitoring project is due to a lack of local data from the government.

“At a December 20 TCEQ public meeting, we were told the closest monitor was 40 miles away in Cedar Park—and it had been inoperable for over six months,” Printz told DailyTrib.com. “Seeing firsthand how unorganized, inept, or incompetent TCEQ was, we decided to research and purchase our own air-quality monitors.”

To date, Save Burnet has installed six PurpleAir-brand monitors: five encircling the proposed quarry site and a sixth adjacent to an active Asphalt Inc. facility in Spicewood. The group plans to install 14 more. 

The monitors use laser counters to measure particulate matter (PM) in the air. While they can’t differentiate between particle types, they do provide readings every 10 minutes. The information is uploaded to a digital cloud database and made publicly available via SaveBurnet.com and PurpleAir’s EPA-adjusted national map. The monitors’ measurements are based on the Environmental Protection Agency Air Quality Index.

“Five monitors have actively been collecting data,” Printz said. “It is important to have documented baseline air-quality readings before any rock quarries are built in the area.”

Printz noted the sixth monitor, in Spicewood, is currently only updating manually but expects data from all monitors to be shared publicly by the end of April.

He also pointed to trends the monitors are highlighting. Recent data shows particle levels spiked when the wind came from Marble Falls and Fairland toward Burnet, reaching PM readings in the 90s, just shy of the “unhealthy” threshold.

“We’re already seeing significant changes when the wind blows in from the southwest,” Printz said. 

Asphalt Inc.’s proposed quarry would be built near Inks Lake State Park, Longhorn Cavern State Park, and Camp Longhorn and has drawn criticism from local officials and state lawmakers due to its proximity to these outdoor destinations.

Save Burnet’s origins go back to Aug. 31, 2024, when resident Jay Folta spotted a TCEQ air permit notice regarding the quarry on a fence line.

“Jay contacted me and hundreds of neighbors,” Printz said. “The following day, we had over 175 concerned citizens show up at our first town hall meeting. That was the beginning of the SaveBurnet.com movement, which today has over 3,000 loyal followers.”

Printz emphasized the broader impact of quarry dust on neighboring communities and natural landmarks.

“I live exactly across the street from the proposed rock-crushing location,” he said. “This harmful dust travels for miles. We have to protect our Texas Hill Country, our state parks like Inks Lake and Longhorn Caverns, and treasures like Park Road 4 and Camp Longhorn.”

For more information about the Save Burnet air monitors or to view real-time air quality readings, go to saveburnet.com/air-quality-map.

elizabeth@thepicayune.com

Agendas for Highland Lakes governments are posted 72 hours before a meeting so are not always ready by the time this story is published. Check the links for more information.

Monday, April 28

Llano County Commissioners Court

9 a.m. regular meeting

752 Andy Taylor Drive in Llano

On the agenda:

• presentation of updates to county subdivision regulations
• equipment purchase approvals

Kingsland Municipal Utility District Board of Directors

9 a.m. regular meeting

100 Ingram St. in Kingsland

On the agenda:

• MUD annexations
• address concerns over septic dumping price increases

Thursday, May 1

Cottonwood Shores City Council

6 p.m. regular meeting

4111 Cottonwood Drive in Cottonwood Shores

The agenda was not available by the time of this article’s publication.

editor@thepicayune.com

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recently purchased 1,100 acres in Lampasas County, the latest addition to a yet-to-be-named state park in the making.

The 1,100 acres lies on the east side of the Colorado River, along Yancey Creek, in southern Lampasas County. The land will be added to 2,020 acres the TPWD purchased earlier this year in northern Burnet County. 

“It’s great to see phase two of the acquisition process come to fruition with the purchase of this 1,100-acre property,” said Jeff Hildebrand, chairman of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, in an April 21 media release.

The new property is across the river from Colorado Bend State Park and contains towering limestone cliffs and several natural springs in the wild country north of Lake Buchanan.

“I’m excited for the addition of the second piece of this property in what will become a new 3,000-plus acre Texas State Park,” said Rodney Franklin, director of Texas State Parks. “This acquisition will give visitors access to the Colorado River, a beautiful creek and the diverse landscapes that are featured across the property. We look forward to generations of Texans enjoying the scenic views of the unique post oak woodland and outdoor adventures awaiting on this property.”

No firm date is set for the park’s formation and opening, which could take many months, according to TPWD officials. However, the recent land acquisitions are major steps forward in the process.

The TPWD is on a statewide mission for public land access, using $1 billion provided by the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund by the Texas Legislature in 2023.

editor@thepicayune.com

The race for the Place 4 seat on the Marble Falls City Council features current Place 2 Councilor Karlee Hubble and former Councilor Rene Rosales Sr. The winner will serve a two-year term. 

The Place 4 seat is currently held by Bryan Walker, who chose not to run for re-election.

Early voting is now through April 29. Election Day is May 3. Read more about school and city elections on the DailyTrib.com elections page. 

DailyTrib.com asked Hubble and Rosales Sr. for brief biographies as well as the same three core questions, to which they provided written responses via email.

Bios have been edited for space. The complete responses from the candidates follow.

KARLEE HUBBLE

Hubble currently holds the Place 2 seat on the Marble Falls City Council, having been elected for her first term in 2023 in a contested race. She is the property manager of the Prose Thunder Rock apartment complex in Marble Falls and is raising her two children in the city.

She has lived in the Highland Lakes area since 2014, save for a hiatus while studying at Sul Ross University in Alpine. She moved to Marble Falls after graduating in 2018.

“I first ran for City Council because I wanted to advocate for my children and their future,” Hubble said. “I wanted to be a voice for families and for thoughtful, intentional growth that benefits everyone. I’m running again because that mission hasn’t changed. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished so far, but there is more work to be done. I want to continue building a Marble Falls that works for current residents and future generations alike.”

QUESTION 1: What are your views on the rapid development in Marble Falls?

HUBBLE: Marble Falls is growing quickly, and while growth brings opportunity, it must be managed carefully. 

I believe in responsible, strategic development that supports our infrastructure, protects the natural beauty of our area, and maintains the character of our community. Growth should enhance the quality of life for residents, not overwhelm it.

QUESTION 2: What do you see as the top three primary issues the city is currently facing?

HUBBLE: 

1. Infrastructure & public services—As we grow, we need to ensure our roads, water systems, and emergency services are equipped to meet increased demand.
2. Affordable & diverse housing—We need housing options that work for families, young professionals, and seniors alike.
3. Smart growth planning—Development should align with a long-term vision that prioritizes sustainability, community input, and thoughtful zoning.

QUESTION 3: What is your ideal vision for Marble Falls in 2030?

HUBBLE: In 2030, I see Marble Falls as a thriving, family-friendly city that has embraced growth while holding on to its small-town charm. 

I envision a community with strong schools, vibrant local businesses, well-maintained public spaces, and a welcoming spirit. A place where our kids can grow up safely and proudly—and where people of all ages feel at home.

RENE ROSALES SR.

Rosales is a former Marble Falls City Council member, having served from 2020-22. He is a retired certified public accountant with 20 years of experience working for the Texas Workforce Commission in Austin. 

He has lived in Marble Falls with his wife for 10 years, and one of his four adult children also lives in the area.

Rosales is fluent in Spanish and said he hopes to represent and advocate for the Hispanic population of the city. He also said he was motivated to run when he saw there were no contested races on the ballot.

“I have five rules,” he said. “Every single penny that we spend has to be absolutely necessary. Legal: We need to know that whatever the decision is (it’s) legal. Three, what is the return on investment? What are we getting out of it? Four, it is reasonable—which means ‘would you pay for the same service that the city is going to buy for the same price?’ Five, everybody deserves to be heard by the council—all suggestions and recommendations.”

QUESTION 1: What are your views on the rapid development in Marble Falls?

ROSALES: I’m open to progress, provided it respects the essence of our community. Preserving and safeguarding the heart of our downtown is essential to ensure development doesn’t compromise the town’s character.

QUESTION 2: What do you see as the top three primary issues the city is currently facing?

ROSALES: 

1. Parking: Improving accessibility for visitors by developing more convenient parking options is crucial to enhancing their experience and encouraging local tourism.
2. Workforce: Introducing city incentives for hiring local residents can address staffing challenges for businesses. This would not only bring more individuals to work in Marble Falls but also help sustain stable, long-term operations.
3. Traffic: Creating alternative routes for residents is essential to alleviating congestion. This would allow smoother travel for citizens while enabling visitors and through-traffic to move more efficiently.

QUESTION 3: What is your ideal vision for Marble Falls in 2030?

ROSALES: In 2030, Marble Falls thrives as a hub of opportunity, offering industries that support a vibrant local workforce and ensure that citizens no longer need to seek employment in other cities. 

The town provides robust education, accessible healthcare, and affordable housing, creating a welcoming and sustainable environment for its growing population. 

This vision preserves the essence of our community while embracing progress, ensuring a prosperous and cohesive future for all.

dakota@thepicayune.com

Starting Monday, April 28, a stretch of Avenue N that runs over Backbone Creek between Johnson Street and Second Street will be closed for major bridge and road work. Construction is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2026, and drivers will have to make a slight detour around the worksite until then.

The city of Marble Falls announced the project and its timeline on March 18 when the City Council approved a $4 million bid from Liberty Civil Construction to upgrade the thoroughfare and build a new bridge over Backbone Creek designed to handle extreme flooding. The project will be mostly paid for with money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

While under construction, the Avenue N bridge over Backbone Creek will be closed off to through traffic. The city is recommending a detour that would take drivers along Second Street, Avenue S, and Johnson Street. This route is intentionally designed to avoid sending excess traffic through Johnson Park.

The work might also impact foot traffic on Backbone Trail and limit access between holes 10 and 11 of the Westside Park disc golf course.

dakota@thepicayune.com

The Central Texas Groundwater Conservation District hosted an introductory public meeting April 22 to present the science behind its proposal for a first-ever groundwater management zone in the Briggs-Oakalla area, an idea met with a mixture of curiosity and concern from locals.

The GCD’s proposal, still in its early stages, is to create a designated groundwater management zone—developed through a stakeholder process—in northeast Burnet County to better regulate usage of the Trinity Aquifer, which supplies hundreds of rural homes via private wells. 

District staff and consultants spent most of Tuesday’s hour-long meeting presenting data about the Briggs-Oakalla area’s low transmissivity (well production), declining water levels, and 30-year projections of severe groundwater drawdown due to rapid development and a limited water supply.

“We’re not in a crisis now,” said Intera water resource engineer Dr. Neil Deeds during the meeting, “but the model shows we could be. The goal is to avoid getting there.”

Attendees were shown years of data collection and predictive modeling that estimated drawdowns of more than 200 feet in some spots over the next 30 years if each platted lot in subdivisions across the area eventually drills a well. “Drawdown” refers to the overall lowering of the groundwater table.

Specifically, Deeds pointed to large subdivisions in the works in northeast Burnet County, like Dominion Ranch with its 210 lots and River Hills Ranch with 214 lots. 

Much of the conversation focused on “clustering,” which refers to wells stacked closely together. 

“So, you can have a big development, but as long as they’ve got 20 lots and there’s only 15 wells going in, it doesn’t have a big impact,” Deeds said. “But when you have a big development with 2½-acre lots and you’ve got 200 wells there, that’s when you really get the impacts that are being predicted by a model.”

Longtime resident Suzanne Gasparotto, who raises goats on her Onion Creek Ranch in Briggs and relies on a private well, said she monitors her water use daily and is already seeing signs of strain. Her well has a pump saver that automatically shuts off water when the yield drops too low, protecting the system from damage. 

She sees her experiences as a warning of what could happen more widely if groundwater levels keep falling.

“Since 2023, I can’t even run one of my sprinkler zones for more than 10 minutes before the pump saver kicks in,” Gasparotto told DailyTrib.com after the meeting. “There are going to be people turning their faucets on with no water coming out. It’s a very serious matter.” 

During the meeting, attendees asked detailed questions about the shared data, including when a major drawdown is expected to begin within the 30-year timeline and how commercial and industrial users might factor into the projections.

GCD General Manager Mitchell Sodek emphasized that the Briggs-Oakalla management zone is still just a proposal and that any future rules would be shaped by the community through a stakeholder group meeting over the summer.

“We’re not here today to give you all the answers,” he told the audience. “We’re here to start building them with you.”

The GCD is seeking volunteers for the stakeholder committee and plans to reconvene with a second public meeting later this year. Any proposed rules would go before the district’s Board of Directors and include a public hearing.

For questions about or to express interest in becoming a stakeholder, contact district@centraltexasgcd.org or 512-756-4900. To learn more about the proposed Briggs-Oakalla groundwater management zone or view the presentation shared during the meeting, visit this webpage. 

elizabeth@thepicayune.com