Burnet County announced three applicants for the county judge position Friday, Jan. 31: Gil Jones, Alan Trevino, and Bryan Wilson. Each will participate in a public forum Feb. 6, during which they will introduce themselves, answer community-submitted questions, and outline their vision for the role.
The Burnet County Commissioners Court will interview the three applicants before making a decision on Feb. 11. The appointed judge will serve out the remainder of the elected term of former County Judge James Oakley, who resigned on Dec. 18, 2024. The current term ends Dec. 31, 2026. An election will be held in November 2026 so voters can have their say.
The county judge is the presiding officer of the Burnet County Commissioners Court, overseeing county operations, budgets, and legal matters.
The following people were the only three respondents to the Commissioners Court’s call for applications, which lasted from Jan. 3-31.
Gil Jones
Jones is a retired judge with experience in law, mediation, and financial management. He served as judge of the 33rd Judicial District of Texas from 1997 to 2012, presiding over civil, criminal, juvenile, and family law cases. Before that, he worked in private legal practice for nearly 25 years. He also served as a Burnet County justice of the peace in a six-month interim role. Since 2013, Jones has worked as a mediator and arbitrator. His background includes accounting and financial work as well as involvement in economic development and community projects. Read Jones’ full resume here.
Alan Trevino
Trevino is chief deputy at the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office and has more than 22 years of law enforcement experience. His career includes stints with the Texas Department of Public Safety and on the Texas Governor’s Protective Detail for George W. Bush, where he coordinated security for various officials and events. He has operated a private security company since 2003 and has served on state-level boards related to security and school safety, including the Texas Private Security Board and the Texas School Safety Center. In his role as chief deputy, he manages the Sheriff’s Office budget. Read Trevino’s full resume here.
Bryan Wilson
Wilson has a background in government administration, grant management, and policy development. From 2014-22, he was the director of the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority, overseeing grant funding for law enforcement programs. He previously worked as a grant administrator for the Texas Indigent Defense Commission, where he helped establish state-funded legal defense programs, and as a grant manager with the Texas Supreme Court’s Permanent Judicial Commission on Children, Youth, and Families. His experience also includes positions with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, where he was involved in litigation and policy management. Read Wilson’s full resume here.
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The Burnet County Democratic Club attended a Texas Democratic Party Chair Forum on Jan. 25 at Lyndon B. Johnson Ranch in Stonewall. The event was hosted by Progress Texas. Pictured are BCDC President B.J. Henry (right) and Clayton Tucker, president of the Texas Progressive Caucus. Five candidates vying for the state chair position debated each other on issues of leadership, organization, and the next steps they would take if elected. Those candidates are Aaron Arguijo, Kendall Scudder, Delia Parker-Mims, Patsy Woods Martin, and Patricia Olivares. For more information about the Burnet County Democratic Club and future events and meetings, visit its website or connect with the club on social media. Courtesy photo
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The Burnet County Commissioners Court on Jan. 28 appointed Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Don Dockery to oversee the county’s efforts in the Wirtz Dam Bridge project, which might be delayed.
Dockery was also appointed to represent Burnet Coujnty on the Capital Area Housing Finance Corp. Board of Directors.
Both appointments fill spots left open after the resignation of former county Judge James Oakley.
WIRTZ DAM BRIDGE PROJECT
Dockery will represent Burnet County in the construction of the 0.33-mile Wirtz Dam Bridge over the Colorado River to connect Cottonwood Shores and Granite Shoals. The project was originally set to break ground in this summer, but that will likely be pushed back.
“I don’t believe we will end up making that goal,” Dockery told DailyTrib.com. “Because of this delay that we’ve had with the judge leaving office, I think it’s going to set us back some.”
The bridge is intended to reduce U.S. 281 traffic congestion and boost emergency response times. The project will also improve 3.68 miles of Wirtz Dam Road.
Dockery expects to provide a full update on the project to the Burnet County Commissioners Court by its second meeting in February.
“I will be meeting with all of the parties now to see if we can get this project across the finish line,” he said. “That includes (the Lower Colorado River Authority), (Pedernales Electric Cooperative), the city of Cottonwood Shores, and any other affected entities.”
The Texas Department of Transportation is fully funding the bridge’s $35 million construction cost, but Burnet County is responsible for land acquisition, easements, and utility relocations, which are estimated at over $3 million.
The county already approved a $5 million bond to pay its part, including an allocation of $1 million for easements.
CAPITAL AREA HOUSING FINANCE CORP.
Dockery was also appointed to the Capital Area Housing Finance Corp. board. The corporation facilitates affordable housing projects in Central Texas.
“They’re coming over to do the orientation for me next week, so I’ll be learning more then,” Dockery said.
At this time, he is unsure if his focus will be on representing existing housing projects in Burnet County or advocating for new developments.
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Burnet County is implementing its first-ever, countywide background check policy, requiring criminal history screenings for all new hires and some current employees.
The Burnet County Commissioners Court approved the policy Tuesday, Jan. 28. It prioritizes employees with access to the Enterprise Justice Case Management system, which houses criminal justice records. The screening aligns with Criminal Justice Information Services certification requirements, ensuring compliance with state and federal standards.
“There’s a level of security that needs to be met,” Burnet County Human Resources Director Shirley Bullard told DailyTrib.com. “Eventually, we will have background checks on everybody—current and new employees—but the main focus is to get the ones that have access to these programs certified.”
While the policy applies to all new hires, elected officials can decide whether to do background checks on their current staff. Officials also must be screened to gain access to sensitive information.
“A department that doesn’t have access to any secured information might choose not to have their employees background checked, and that is entirely up to them,” Bullard said. “Policies are here to protect the county, and most elected officials choose to follow them, but they have the authority to opt out.”
Bullard clarified that the purpose of the background checks is to comply with security procedures.
“We’re not looking to fire anybody because something might show up on the background check,” she said. “This is just about following procedures and ensuring compliance.”
While this is the first countywide background check policy, the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office, and some other departments with access to sensitive records, have always required screenings for prospective employees.
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Tracy Taylor was sworn in Jan. 17 as the new chief deputy of the Llano County Sheriff’s Office. He accompanies recently elected Sheriff Marquis Cantu in a major leadership shift at the department.
“I’m happy to have him on board,” said Cantu when introducing Taylor to the Llano County Commissioners Court on Jan. 27. “He is immediately stepping in and kind of taking some of the pressure off of me.”
Cantu took office at midnight Jan. 1, replacing Sheriff Bill Blackburn, who chose not to run for re-election after 16 years on the job. Taylor takes over for former Chief Deputy Brad Evans, who had been in the position since 2021 but with the LCSO for 17 years.
“Everybody has been very welcoming, very helpful, and I’m excited and honored to be here,” Taylor told the Commissioners Court on Monday after Cantu’s introduction
LCSO’s new chief deputy spent 30 years with the Lubbock Police Department, working in its homicide, gangs, and violent crimes divisions and serving as a SWAT officer. He is also a U.S. Army veteran.
“He’s been there and done that, and he was with one agency, which I like a lot,” Cantu told DailyTrib.com following the hire.
Cantu was elected Llano County sheriff in November 2024 after defeating opponent Les Hartman in the Republican Party primary race earlier that year. He did not have a Democratic opponent in the general election.
Cantu will oversee LCSO operations during his four-year term. Taylor will serve as the sheriff’s right-hand man, focusing on supervisory, administrative, and organizational duties.
“I’m trying to bring some very experienced officers to the Sheriff’s Office,” Cantu said. “They bring big department policies and procedures. You typically don’t get that kind of experience in a small town.”
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The Highland Lakes has a dire need for healthcare professionals, and some of the area’s largest employers are hosting a hiring event Feb. 4 to find prospective candidates.
The Highland Lakes Healthcare Partnership announced at least 74 total job openings for nurses, certified medical assistants, nurses aides, and radiology, surgical, and lab technicians across Burnet, Llano, and Blanco counties.
“We employers have created a one-stop opportunity on February 4th for candidates to learn about the most available positions in the Highland Lakes and what those jobs look like in our rural setting,” reads a Jan. 27 statement from hospice care consultant Erin Metcalf in a media release from Ascension at Home and Compassus.
The healthcare job fair is Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Marble Falls Independent School District Administration Office, 1800 Colt Circle. Interested candidates are encouraged to RSVP or ask questions by contacting 830-265-8024 or gaildavalos@yahoo.com.
Metcalf represents one of the 16 major healthcare employers in the area that make up the Highland Lakes Healthcare Partnership. The group formed in response to critical staffing shortages of skilled healthcare workers in the tri-county area.
“Rather than recruit from each other, healthcare employers here are working together to fill
chronic job openings for critical staff at each of our organizations,” wrote Tim Ols, president of the Hill Country Region for Baylor Scott & White Health, in the media release. “The hiring event is our mutual effort to attract licensed healthcare professionals not already employed such as early retirees, relocated job seekers, newly licensed practitioners and commuters interested in rural worksites.”
A panel of local healthcare administrators will open the event, highlighting the challenges and benefits working in the rural Highland Lakes. Attendees can then visit with potential employers.
“Rural healthcare can be a rewarding career choice for clinicians who enjoy meeting challenges with innovative approaches to serving patients,” wrote Karen Litterer, hospital administrator and chief nursing officer for Ascension Seton Highland Lakes in Burnet. “Combine that with the quality of hill-country living near scenic lakes, outdoor recreation, and fun attractions, our jobs are great opportunities for healthcare professionals.”
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The Burnet City Council voted Monday, Jan. 27, to deny Atmos Energy’s request to raise residential gas rates by 14.05 percent, preventing an automatic approval of the increase.
The natural gas distributor filed for a $16.73 million base rate increase on Dec. 16, 2024. If approved, residential customers would pay more, while commercial, industrial, and transportation rates would remain unchanged. The company has not raised base rates since 2018 but has implemented interim rate increases without full regulatory review.
“This raises concerns about fairness across customer classes,” said Assistant to the City Manager Keith McBurnett during the meeting. “Why should residential customers bear the full burden of this rate increase?”
Burnet is part of the Atmos Texas Municipalities Coalition, a group of cities opposing the increase. The council’s resolution authorizes legal action, requires Atmos to reimburse the city’s legal costs, and ensures further review by the Texas Railroad Commission.
Marble Falls, another member of the Atmos Texas Municipalities Coalition, also rejected the rate increase at its Jan. 7 City Council meeting.
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The city of Burnet handed out its Employee of the Year and City Manager awards during a luncheon Thursday, Jan. 23.
Thad Mercer was named Employee of the Year. He joined the city in 2024 as an assistant streets superintendent and was later promoted to streets superintendent. He now serves as the parks, facilities, and streets manager.
“Thad’s dedication and leadership have made a significant impact on both his team and the community,” said City Manager David Vaughn in a media release announcing the awards.
The City Manager Award went to Barbara Cobern, who has served Burnet for 27 years. She started in 1997 as a parks maintenance worker and then transitioned through a variety roles, including streets department laborer, warehouse secretary, and her current position as administrative assistant to public works, which she has held since 2005.
“Barbara’s commitment and reliability have been invaluable to the success of our operations,” Vaughn said.
The city manager commended both recipients.
“Their contributions reflect the core values that make Burnet a special place to live and work,” he said. “To Thad, Barbara, and all our city employees—thank you for your continued efforts in making Burnet a community we are proud to call home.”
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