The city of Burnet bought a 2-acre property in the Eagles Nest subdivision to upgrade the neighborhood’s pump station and boost fire protection. The City Council approved the $101,000 purchase at its Jan. 14 meeting.
The lot at 107 Big Sky is adjacent to the subdivision’s existing pump station. With the purchase, the city has room to install a new water tank and upgrade pumps to increase water availability and “fire flow” in the neighborhood, which is located about 2½ miles west of downtown Burnet off of Texas 29.
Fire flow is the amount of water needed at a sufficient pressure to effectively fight fires. The new tank will increase storage capacity, while larger pumps will bump up water pressure. Water tanks and pumps work together as a hydropneumatic pump station, bringing consistent pressure to taps and users.
“We are working on an expansion to the hydropneumatic pump station that provides water to Eagles Nest to be able to add additional fire flow,” City Manager David Vaughn told DailyTrib.com.
Councilor Tommy Gaut, who is also a member of the Eagles Nest Homeowners Association, said the subdivision pump station, built in 2005, was designed to include two water tanks but has been operating with only one.
“It was always the plan to put two water tanks to provide water services to homes here, but the terrain is a little problematic,” he said.
Vaughn elaborated.
“The room that we have on that hillside is really tight, and so by acquiring some of the property next door, it would give us more room, not only for the tanks now but for future work that may need to be done at some point,” he said.
The city does not plan to keep all of the purchased 2 acres.
“Most likely, what will happen is we will work with the POA to subdivide that lot, keep the small piece that we need, and then sell the remainder to make most of our money back on the deal,” Vaughn said.
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A public hearing is Feb. 18 on the formation of a public improvement district for a new development along Manzano Mile in Marble Falls. The proposed development, Pleasant Valley Estates, will span roughly 253 acres across the road from Marble Falls High School.
The development will include single-family homes, multi-family housing, apartments, public parks, and some commercial lots, according to Marble Falls leaders. It will be years in the making.
The Feb. 18 public hearing is a mandatory step in the formation of the Manzano Mile Public Improvement District, a funding mechanism that will be used to pay back Pleasant Valley Estates developers for making the necessary utility upgrades to serve the planned homes and businesses.
Developers will make an estimated $28.66 million in utility improvements to facilitate the build-out, which will be paid back through “assessments” collected by the city of Marble Falls from future property owners within the Manzano Mile PID.
“It’s a significant-sized development that has a lot of public infrastructure in it,” Mayor Dave Rhodes told DailyTrib.com. “It’s going to take an entire water tower all by itself.”
Rhodes and the rest of the Marble Falls City Council unanimously approved the public hearing during the council’s regular meeting Tuesday, Jan. 21.
The hearing, set for 6 p.m. Feb. 18 at City Hall, 800 Third St., is an opportunity to ask questions and voice support for or concerns about the project
If plans are approved, developers will move forward with utility installation and construction. The land has already been purchased and platting and permitting completed. The petitioners for the Manzano Mile PID are listed as Hank Lewis, trustee of the Nelson Lewis Family Trust, and River City Partners Ltd.
The proposed development would run along the east side of Manzano Mile, starting at the intersection of RR 1431, on undeveloped land across from Marble Falls High School, which is located at 2101 Mustang Drive.
Marble Falls leaders identified several objectives and goals to be achieved if the Manzano Mile PID is approved. Developers provided feedback on the city’s wishes in documentation submitted prior to the council’s setting of a public hearing.
According to Exhibit C of the developers petition (found on page 83 of the city’s Jan. 21 agenda packet), for a public improvement district, the development should generate an additional $2.6 million in ad valorem tax revenue for the city, add $1 million in upgrades to municipal water storage and distribution, and include over 18 acres of public parkland and trail systems. In addition, the developers will donate 2 acres of land for a fire station on RR 1431.
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The city of Burnet is building a 12,000-square-foot hangar at its municipal airport, expected to be completed by the spring. The hangar will not only expand the space for larger aircraft, it could also become a hub for maintenance services and boost the city’s economy.
The Burnet City Council on Jan. 14 discussed how the hangar could fill a regional gap in turbine engine maintenance, which has a strong demand, according to Airport Manager Adrienne Feild.
“There’s a void in our surrounding areas of maintenance shops that can handle turbine engines,” she told the council. “If our maintenance shop can expand, there’s no doubt we’ll attract clients.”
The airport’s current maintenance facility is too small to accommodate larger aircraft, such as jets and turbine-engine planes. A larger space could potentially draw clients from hundreds of miles away.
Burnet City Manager David Vaughn said maintenance jobs for turbine engines are lucrative, with bills for work often ranging from $75,000 to $80,000 or more.
FIRE SAFETY
If the new hangar is used as a maintenance facility, the city will have to install safety equipment to meet fire code requirements.
“(National Fire Protection Act Section 409-standards for aircraft hangars) says if you’re going to do some sort of hazardous operation, you should have a suppression system,” Burnet Fire Marshal Johnny Caraway told DailyTrib.com. “It does give some latitude for alternative means to protect in case of a fire.”
The cost of a traditional sprinkler system is estimated at $200,000 to $250,000 per hangar.
Fire Chief Mark Ingram noted that installing sprinkler systems across all current and planned hangars could push total costs beyond $2 million, prompting exploration of alternative solutions.
During the council meeting, Ingram presented three options to meet fire code requirements:
a high-expansion foam system;
a sprinkler system;
or the acquisition of an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) truck, a specialized vehicle designed for aviation emergencies that costs about $387,000.
The last was recommended as the most flexible and cost-effective solution.
“For what we currently have and plan to build, (the ARFF truck) is an option to save money,” Ingram told the council. “Spending $400,000 is better than $2 million for fire-suppression systems.”
The Burnet Municipal Airport, 2302 U.S. 281 South, currently has $1 million in reserves with $700,000 expected to be replenished through grants that City Manager Vaughn said could be used as a funding source if needed.
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The Burnet County Commissioners Court on Jan. 14 appointed Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Don Dockery as the county’s representative on the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization board. Dockery’s appointment comes after former Burnet County Judge James Oakley resigned from his position, leaving the CAMPO board seat vacant.
Urbanized regions with populations of 50,000 or greater, like the Austin area, are required by the Federal Transit Administration to create metropolitan planning organizations to ensure cohesive development of transportation infrastructure. The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization covers Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties. It is governed by a 21-member Transportation Policy Board, which includes 19 elected officials from its coverage area, a representative from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), and one from Capital Metro.
“CAMPO uses your federal gas tax dollars as they come back and are readministered through the state,” Dockery told DailyTrib.com. “It’s one of the best funding sources we have for transportation projects in our arsenal, and it’s important to make sure we’re involved and advocating for TxDOT projects.”
Dockery, who has previously served on the CAMPO board, brings experience and familiarity with the organization’s mission.
“I served in between when Judge (Donna) Klaeger was going out and Judge Oakley was coming in, and then I also served in 2023 when Judge Oakley was on suspension for five and a half months,” Dockery said.
CAMPO’s responsibilities include the creation of a 20-plus-year Regional Transportation Plan and a four-year Transportation Improvement Program. The RTP, updated every five years, outlines the long-term goals for the region’s transportation infrastructure, incorporating roads, highways, transit, biking, and walking. The TIP focuses on projects with secured funding that are ready for construction within a four-year window.
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Four of Marble Falls’ seven City Council seats, including mayor, are up for election May 3. Some incumbents and challengers have already filed to be on the ballot. The window for candidates to apply opened Jan. 15 and closes at 5 p.m. Feb. 14.
Applications can be found on the Marble Falls city elections webpage or picked up in person at City Hall, 800 Third St., from 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays.
Election Day is Saturday, May 3. Early voting runs April 22-29. The last day to register to vote is April 3.
To be eligible to run, applicants must:
be registered to vote in Marble Falls;
have resided in the city limits for at least 12 months prior to the election;
be in good standing with municipal taxes and payments;
not hold another public office;
not be an employee of the city.
City Council members represent Marble Falls residents in municipal matters and are responsible for setting the city’s budget, developing and amending policies and ordinances, approving or denying major development and contracts, and overseeing the work of the city manager, who handles the day-to-day operations of Marble Falls.
Council members serve staggered, two-year terms. Those elected in 2025 will serve until their seat is up for election again in 2027.
Seats on the May 2025 ballot are:
mayor, currently held by Dave Rhodes, who cannot run for re-election due to term limits
Place 2, currently held by Karlee Hubble (formerly Karlee “Cauble”)
As of Monday, Jan. 20, the declared candidates list is full of familiar faces.
Former Mayor John Packer, who served from 2015-21, has filed for the mayor’s seat.
Former Councilor William D. Haddock, who served on and off between 2017 and 2022, has filed for Place 2.
Current Place 2 Councilor Karlee Hubble, who was first elected in 2023, is vacating her Place 2 seat to run for Place 4.
Current Place 6 Councilor Craig Magerkurth is also filing for re-election. He served at Place 1 from 2016-22 before running unopposed and winning the Place 6 seat in 2023.
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LakeFest, the popular Marble Falls drag boat racing event, will not take place in 2025 due to time constraints following major leadership changes within the Southern Drag Boat Association. However, organizers are confident the races will return to Lake Marble Falls in 2026.
The SDBA got new owners in January, and they needed more time and experience to put on a proper show.
“It’s all new ownership, so we’re starting fresh,” SDBA Promotions Director Robin Reed told DailyTrib.com on Friday, Jan. 17. “(LakeFest) is the biggest attended race (in the SDBA season) and has a lot of logistics. We just didn’t have time to do it justice and do the planning.”
A jointly issued media release from the SDBA and the Marble Falls/Highland Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, which co-hosts the event, announced the cancelation Jan. 17.
“LakeFest has long been one of the premier spectator events on the SDBA calendar, drawing fans from near and far for its fast and loud action on the water,” reads the release. “Unfortunately, due to the limited time available and the ongoing restructuring efforts, the SDBA will not be able to host a race at LakeFest in 2025.”
The SDBA and chamber leadership are committed to bringing the races back next year.
“While we’re disappointed that it won’t happen this year, we’re looking forward to 2026,” chamber President Jarrod Metzgar told DailyTrib.com. “The last thing we want is for people to think that this is the end of LakeFest. This is just a hiccup.”
Reed agreed.
“We didn’t want to use LakeFest as a learning curve,” he said. “We’re already in conversations for 2026.”
The SDBA was acquired by professional drag boat racers Cody Childress and Travis Tuttle from previous owner David Carroll, who announced the change in December 2024.
LakeFest has been held on and off in some form on Lake Marble Falls since 1992. The event features specialized drag boats that reach speeds over 200 mph. Traditionally held in June, it is one of the most popular events for the SDBA and the Marble Falls chamber.
“While we deeply regret this year’s absence, we are already hard at work with the Marble Falls/Highland Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce to lay the groundwork for the next unforgettable LakeFest event,” reads the Jan. 17 release. “Fans and spectators can rest assured that when we return, the show will be as fast, loud, and spectacular as ever.”
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Agendas for Highland Lakes government meetings are posted 72 hours before a meeting and are not always ready by the time this story is published. Check the links for more information.
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Granite Shoals has four of its seven City Council seats, including mayor, up for election May 3. All four incumbents have reportedly either applied to keep their seats or plan to do so. Filling to run for council opened Wednesday, Jan. 15, and continues through 5 p.m. Feb. 14.
Applications in English and Spanish can be found on the city’s elections webpage or picked up in person at City Hall, 2221 N. Phillips Ranch Road, from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Election Day is May 3. Early voting runs April 22-29. The last day to register to vote is April 3.
To be eligible to run, applicants must:
be a qualified voter in the city of Granite Shoals;
have resided within the city limits for at least 12 months prior to filing, and;
be up to date on payments and taxes to the city.
City employees must vacate their position to file.
City Council members represent Granite Shoals residents in municipal matters and are responsible for setting the city’s budget, developing and amending policies and ordinances, approving or denying major development and contracts, and overseeing the work of the city manager, who handles the day-to-day operations of Granite Shoals.
Council members serve staggered, two-year terms. Those elected in 2025 will serve until their seat is up for election in 2027.
Seats on the May 2025 ballot are:
Mayor, currently held by Ron Munos
Place 1, currently held by Brian Edwards
Place 3, currently held by Judy Salvaggio
Place 5, currently held by Michael Berg
According to City Secretary Dawn Wright, Munos, Edwards, and Berg have already filed for re-election and Salvaggio plans to file in the near future.
CURRENT COUNCIL MEMBERS
Munos became mayor in October 2023 after Kiel Arnone resigned from the position. At the time, Munos was the Place 1 councilor and mayor pro-tem, meaning he took over after Arnone left. Prior to taking the mayor’s seat, Munos served as a councilor for two terms and was elected to a third in May 2023 before transitioning to mayor later that year.
Edwards was appointed as Place 1 councilor in October 2023 to replace Munos. Edwards was then officially elected to the position after running unopposed in the May 2024 election to finish out the 2023-25 term.
Salvaggio was elected to the Place 3 position in May 2023 after running unopposed for the seat when Councilor Samantha Ortis chose not to file for re-election.
Berg was appointed to the Place 5 seat in November 2022 after Councilor Eddie McCoy resigned. Berg won the seat in the May 2023 election, running unopposed.
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County residents will be able to schedule rides through CARTS starting March 3 by calling 512-478-7433 or by using the CARTS Now phone application.
Rural transportation systems like The HOP and CARTS function on a “call-for-service” basis rather than constant, predetermined routes. CARTS drivers may respond to a service call in as little as 15 minutes, depending on location. Residents can also schedule rides up to two weeks in advance.
CARTS fare rates vary depending on the distance of the drive but typically range from $2 to $6. Discounts are available for seniors, those with disabilities, children under 12 years old, and regular travelers with monthly passes.
The Llano County Commissioners Court approved the impending switch during its Jan. 13 meeting, and CARTS leadership is expected to give a more thorough breakdown of the coming changes at the Jan. 27 meeting.
“HOP has been a great service for the county for close to 30 years,” Precinct 1 Commissioner Peter Jones said during the Jan. 13 meeting. “It now has come to the point where it makes sense for us to remove ourselves from that and be attached to CARTS. It’s part of the actual region that we should be in.”
The CARTS system includes Burnet, Blanco, Travis, Hays, Caldwell, Bastrop, Lee, Williamson, and Fayette counties. The HOP covered Coryell, Hamilton, Lampasas, Milam, Mills, Mason, Bell, and San Saba counties.
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