The city of Marble Falls is seeking applications to fill vacancies on its Parks & Recreation Commission and Zoning board of Adjustment. The positions are open to the public and Marble Falls residents are welcome to apply.
“City government depends heavily on residents who volunteer their time and energy to participate as members of boards and commissions,” reads an excerpt from the City of Marble Falls website. “The involvement of residents is important to setting the direction of Marble Falls’ future.”
Applications for the commission or board seats can be sent to the Marble Falls City Secretary’s Office at cmcdonald@marblefallstx.gov. Call the office with any questions at 830-798-7060.
To qualify for a spot on a Marble Falls board or commission, you must be a Marble Falls resident and a registered voter of the city. You also cannot be behind on any municipal payments or taxes.
These are unpaid, volunteer positions that are meant to give residents an opportunity to provide input on city projects, direction, and management.
There are currently two openings on the city’s seven-member Parks & Recreation Commission. Places 4 and 6 are vacant. Commissioners serve two-year terms and are appointed at the discretion of the Marble Falls City Council.
The commission works in an advisory capacity with the Parks and Recreation Department and helps make recommendations to City Council regarding park operations, maintenance, use, and growth.
The commission meets monthly, typically on the second Monday of the month, but also has special meetings occasionally.
There is currently one opening on the five-member Zoning Board of Adjustment. Members are appointed by City Council and serve four-year terms.
The board considers requests for variances to the city’s building and development codes. The board does not have the power to grant a variance that would conflict with the specific district that the project is within.
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Burnet County officials will host a special workshop on the Bell County East to Big Hill 765 kV Transmission Line at 9 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 16 at the Burnet County Agrilife Extension building, 607 N. Vanderveer Street in Burnet. The workshop is the latest step in the county’s opposition to a state power project, which threatens to cut straight through its northern half.
The workshop is open to the public and will be attended by members of the Burnet County Commissioners Court. See the agenda for the workshop at this link.
According to Burnet County Judge Bryan Wilson, the workshop could be one of many that are held as the county organizes its stance against the transmission line. Friday’s workshop aims to educate interested residents, facilitate open discussion of the project, and ultimately determine what county officials and residents can do to make their voices heard.
“We’ll start working on a series of workshops where we can have a discussion with the community to identify action items for the citizens for what they can do, and what the county can do, then bring those things before the full Commissioners Court to see if they want to move forward on any of those items,” Wilson explained.
The workshops are being held as an alternative to the proposed “transmission line opposition committee,” which was scrapped by the court after numerous applications for membership and issues with the legal mechanics of running a county-sponsored committee.
“We had so many people reaching out that wanted to be on the committee,” Precinct 2 Commissioner Damon Beierle said. “We figured a setting like (the workshop) would be more fruitful than a committee of 30 people.”
The workshop will include a fact-sharing discussion on health and safety concerns; water law; environmental development; emergency management and communications; and Burnet County historical heritage. It will also include ways the public and county can intervene in Public Utility Commission of Texas decisions and a dive into the role that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality may play in the transmission line project.
“We need the input, we need the help, we need people to take action,” Wilson said.
Background on the Bell County East to Big Hill 765 kV Transmission Line
The Bell County East to Big Hill 765-kV Transmission Project has been on Burnet County’s radar since May 2025. Since then, public opposition and protest has risen and the county has officially taken up opposition to the state project.
The transmission line project’s intention is to bring power to West Texas, but many Burnet County residents believe that it would be at the expense of Hill Country landowners.
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Burnet officials released a request for proposals (RFP) on Jan. 7 for a new solid waste and recycling contract for the city. Proposals from contractors are due on March 19, with new service set to begin on Nov. 1.
Burnet has contracted its waste management from Al Clawson Disposal, Inc. since 2016, meaning the service has been contracted for two five-year periods. The city’s contract with ACDI expires on Oct. 30.
Under city rules, an RFP must be filed at least every two contract periods to ensure the city gets the best service possible. The RFP process is common for government projects, which have strict rules regarding how public money is spent and how contractors are selected for prospective work.
“Each contract term has been for five year periods,” said City Manager David Vaughn. “And we need to go through the (request) process at least every other renewal to make sure we have the best quality of service available for the community.”
The city shared a list of prices for current waste management services in the area in the RFP, as selecting a new contractor could change prices.
As it stands, Burnet residents pay $19.64 for pickup of a 95-gallon trash can once per week and pickup of a 95-gallon recycling bin every two weeks. Senior rates, for residents ages 65 years and older, are currently $15.73 for the same service.
In preparation for the RFP process, the city received feedback from residents on what has been successful and what needed improvement based on the current waste management services.
More frequent recycling pickup; The RFP will request pricing and operational details for optional weekly recycling.
Carts being left in unsafe locations, particularly in the street; The RFP will require carts to be returned in a stable position off the roadway, near curbs or driveways, without blocking traffic, mailboxes, or drainage.
Faster response to missed pickups; The RFP will require contractors to correct verified missed pickups within 24 hours and notify the city and customers when delays occur.
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Volunteers in the Burnet community are lending a helping hand to rebuild and repaint the Marilyn Gerk Memorial Little Free Library that was reportedly “firecracker bombed” on the evening of Dec. 31.
Burnet police officers responded to a call about the vandalism on New Year’s Day when the damage was discovered, but according to Chief Tony Hefferin, no follow-up investigation occurred because the scene had been cleaned up before officers arrived.
Darlene Denton is a parent and volunteer liaison for Burnet Consolidated Independent School District and the driving force behind the network of nine little free libraries in the Burnet area. She told DailyTrib that the act of vandalism was disheartening, but would not discourage the efforts of her and her volunteers.
“We were knocked down a little bit,” said Denton. “But that’s not going to do anything.”
After the incident, Denton and the community were quick to start rebuilding what was damaged. Kelvin Keele, a longtime Burnet community member, and Cera Wills, a former BCISD student and painter, offered their skills to rebuild and repaint the library. Other community members offered to set up cameras in the area and donate money to cover restoration.
“While (Kelvin) was fixing the library, all these people would stop by and say ‘I’m so glad you’re not taking it down,’” Denton said.
Denton works to clean the inside of the Gerk Memorial Library that was left with scorch marks and firecracker remnants. Staff photo by Caden Senn.
The library had been up for less than two months after a dedication ceremony on Nov. 23, 2025. The library was dedicated to one of Denton’s closest friends, Marilyn Gerk, who passed away in 2023 after battling ovarian cancer.
“This friendship, the reason I did this memorial library, was a once in a lifetime friendship,” said Denton.
The library was made to be a replica of Gerk’s home based on a picture that Denton took before leaving the memorial service. It includes photos of Gerk with friends and family, paintings of her quilts, and a flower from the memorial service that was encased in resin.
Denton plans to continue her efforts in building Little Free Libraries around Burnet County, with two planned to go up this year.
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The Granite Shoals man accused of practicing medicine without a license is likely to face additional charges following his arrest on Jan. 9. Local law enforcement arrested Daniel Alejos, 50, during a traffic stop after a lengthy investigation.
The arrest came after the Burnet County and Llano County sheriff’s offices coordinated the execution of two search warrants targeting Alejos’ home practice at 107 E. Blue Briar in Granite Shoals and his clinic, Clinica Hispana Santa Maria, in Kingsland, where he worked as a “general physician.”
“There’s going to be more charges,” Burnet County Sheriff Calvin Boyd told DailyTrib.
Boyd told DailyTrib that the investigation remains active and that additional charges based on the evidence gathered are likely in the coming weeks.
According to Boyd, the investigation began about 10 weeks ago after local doctors tipped off law enforcement about Alejos’ potentially illicit operation. Sheriff Boyd said the case’s complexity required extensive evidence gathering before authorities could take action and make an arrest.
The exact nature of the allegations against Alejos have not yet been shared publicly.
Alejos opened Clinica Hispana Santa Maria in Kingsland in November 2025 and serves as its founder and CEO, according to a Facebook post. The clinic, located at 106 Cottonwood Drive, Suite C, does not have an official website or social media presence. The only publicly listed contact information is 830-220-4460.
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Buddies, a popular convenience store in Kingsland, has changed ownership after 12 years, according to a recent announcement from its former owners. The store is located at 1621 RR 1431. The 6,600-square-foot business includes 10 fuel pumps, a franchise chicken restaurant, local merchandise, and more.
The ownership change was announced in a social media post on Jan. 9 by owner Derek Timmons, who described the decision as a difficult but necessary step.
“After several challenging years with my partner, I made the difficult decision to sell the business,” Timmons wrote. “It wasn’t easy, but it was the right choice for my family.”
In the same post, Timmons reflected on Buddies’ role in the community and thanked residents for their support over the years.
“My family and I want to sincerely thank everyone who has supported us over the past 12 years,” he wrote, adding that Buddies was always about the people. “Giving back was always a priority.”
That commitment was reflected in the store’s long-standing support of local organizations and fundraisers. Timmons highlighted Buddies’ partnership with the Kingsland Boys & Girls Club, noting that more than $50,000 was donated through fuel sales to support the organization.
Details on the new ownership were not available by the time of this article’s publication.
Buddies opened Nov. 2, 2013, after Timmons and his wife, Alva, along with their original business partners, Brian and Nancy Maples, purchased and redeveloped the property, which had previously been an abandoned bank and church.
“When we found this corner in 2012–an old, abandoned bank/church– we saw potential and a new beginning for Kingsland,” Timmons wrote.
The store is located at 1621 RR 1431 in Kingsland. The 6,600-square-foot business includes 10 fuel pumps, a franchise chicken restaurant and additional amenities.
News stories, staff photos, and other online content are copyrighted property of Victory Media. Reproduction in part or in whole is prohibited without the express written consent of the publisher.
A Granite Shoals man was arrested on Friday, Jan. 9 for a felony-level charge of practicing medicine without a license.
Authorities identified the suspect as Daniel Alejos, who was taken into custody following the execution of two search warrants, served simultaneously by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office and the Llano County Sheriff’s Office. The warrants targeted properties at 107 E. Blue Briar in Granite Shoals and Clinica Hispana Santa Maria in Kingsland.
Alejos is currently being held on $75,000 bond at the Burnet County Jail.
According to a media release issued by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation remains ongoing. The details of the charge against Alejos were not shared, but the release did note that the investigation was time intensive and required a large amount of evidence before the arrest and warrants were executed.
News stories, staff photos, and other online content are copyrighted property of Victory Media. Reproduction in part or in whole is prohibited without the express written consent of the publisher.
Burnet County voters will soon decide on several Republican nominations for county-level positions, and those that they choose will play major roles in leading the county for the next four years. DailyTrib will be hosting a forum featuring the candidates for major offices in an effort to keep the public informed on the players involved in these races.
The 2026 DailyTrib Burnet County Republican Primary Candidates Forum is scheduled for 6-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3 at the Burnet Community Center, 401 E. Jackson Street in Burnet. The forum is open to the public and will also be livestreamed on the DailyTrib Youtube channel for concurrent and later viewing.
The event will feature Republican candidates for the offices of Burnet County judge and Burnet County Precinct 2 commissioner. The Republican nominees that win these races will likely go on to take the seats in the general election come November due to the lack of any Democratic challengers this year.
Election Day for the 2026 primaries is on March 3. Early voting runs Feb. 17- Feb. 27. The last day to register to vote in this election is Feb. 2. See more on the election schedule on the Texas Secretary of State website. Keep up with local election information, polling locations, and voting schedules on the Burnet County Elections Administration website.
The forum will give each candidate equal opportunities to introduce themselves, answer questions from a DailyTrib moderator, and provide closing remarks.
Candidates will not be given the questions ahead of time. Those running for the same office will be asked the same questions and given the same amount of time to respond.
Time will be strictly kept and there will be strict rules of decorum in place to help keep the forum civil.
While audience participation will not be a formal part of the forum structure, the candidates may visit with attendees before and after the event.
The candidates
Burnet County judge
The Burnet County judge serves as the chair of the Burnet County Commissioners Court and as the chief budget officer for the county. They are one of five voting members of the Commissioners Court that decide on county policies; determine the county’s budget; and represent the county at the local, state, and federal levels.
The Burnet County judge serves a four-year term and, as of 2025, has an annual salary of $113,337.88. There are no term limits for serving as county judge.
Burnet County judge candidate Bryan Wilson. Photo submitted by candidate
Republican Bryan Wilson, incumbent Burnet County judge. Wilson was appointed to the county judge’s seat in March 2025 following a lengthy selection process that was created by the Burnet County Commissioners Court to fill the position following the resignation of former Burnet County Judge James Oakley in December 2024.
Burnet County judge candidate Alan Trevino. Photo submitted by candidate
Republican Alan Trevino, Burnet County Sheriff’s Office chief deputy. Trevino announced his bid for Burnet County judge immediately after the resignation of former Burnet County Judge James Oakley in December 2024. He also lobbied for an appointment to the judge position during the Commissioners Court’s selection process, but the court ultimately chose Bryan Wilson for the appointment.
Precinct 2 commissioner
The Burnet County Precinct 2 commissioner is one of five voting members of the Burnet County Commissioners Court. The court is the governing body of the county and responsible for determining county policy; setting the budget; and representing the county at the local, state, and federal levels. The Precinct 2 commissioner represents one of the four precincts in the county and is also responsible for maintaining the roads, bridges, and public infrastructure within that precinct, which covers most of northeast Burnet County.
Burnet County commissioners serve four-year terms and, as of 2025, earn an annual salary of $95,742.83. There are no term limits for serving as a county commissioner.
Burnet County Precinct 2 commissioner candidate Damon Beierle. Photo submitted by candidate
Republican Damon Beierle, incumbent Precinct 2 commissioner. Beierle is in the midst of his second term as Precinct 2 commissioner, having first been elected in 2019.
Burnet County Precinct 2 commissioner candidate Leonard Guenter. Photo submitted by candidate
Republican Leonard Guenter, Burnet County resident. Guenter is from Burnet County and this appears to be his first time entering the local political arena according to his campaign page biography.
About DailyTrib
DailyTrib is under the umbrella of Victory Media, a Burnet County-based, family-owned company that has been publishing news in the Highland Lakes since 1991. DailyTrib is strictly dedicated to covering the people, places, and happenings of Burnet and Llano counties at the local level.
News stories, staff photos, and other online content are copyrighted property of Victory Media. Reproduction in part or in whole is prohibited without the express written consent of the publisher.
Llano County voters will soon take the polls and select nominees in the 2026 Republican primaries for several county-level positions. The Republican races will decide on a new county judge and on a challenger to face an unopposed Democratic nominee in the General Election come November. DailyTrib will be hosting a forum featuring the Republican primary candidates for major offices in an effort to keep the public informed on the players involved in these races.
The 2026 DailyTrib Llano County Republican Primary Candidates Forum is scheduled for 6-7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Llano County Community Center, 2340 W. Haynie Street in Llano. The forum is open to the public and will also be livestreamed on the DailyTrib Youtube channel for concurrent and later viewing.
The event will feature Republican candidates for the offices of Llano County judge and Llano County Precinct 4 commissioner. The Republican that wins the county judge nomination will likely go on to take the judge’s seat due to the lack of a Democratic challenger. The winner of the nomination for the Precinct 4 commissioner’s seat will likely go on to face the current Democratic nominee, Leila Green Little, in the General Election on Nov. 3.
Election Day for the 2026 primaries is on March 3. Early voting runs Feb. 17- Feb. 27. The last day to register to vote in this election is Feb. 2. See more on the election schedule on the Texas Secretary of State website. Keep up with local election information, polling locations, and voting schedules on the Llano County Elections Administrator website.
The forum will give each candidate equal opportunities to introduce themselves, answer questions from a DailyTrib moderator, and provide closing remarks.
Candidates will not be given the questions ahead of time. Those running for the same office will be asked the same questions and given the same amount of time to respond.
Time will be strictly kept and there will be strict rules of decorum in place to help keep the forum civil.
While audience participation will not be a formal part of the forum structure, the candidates may visit with attendees before and after the event.
The candidates
County judge
The Llano County judge serves as the chair of the Llano County Commissioners Court and as the chief budget officer for the county. They are one of five voting members of the Commissioners Court that decide on county policies, determine the county’s budget, and represent the county at the local, state, and federal levels.
The Llano County judge serves a four-year term and, as of 2025, earns an annual salary of $80,009. There are no term limits for serving as county judge.
Incumbent Llano County Judge Ron Cunningham did not file for reelection.
Llano County judge candidate Rob Hardy. Photo submitted by candidate
Republican Rob Hardy, mayor of Sunrise Beach Village. Hardy has a background in healthcare and also serves as the vice chair of the Llano Regional Hospital Board of Directors.
Llano County judge candidate Richard Kepp. Photo submitted by candidate
Republican Richard Kepp, Llano County resident. Kepp has a background in safety and risk management. He is also an active member of the city of Llano community as a volunteer, but this appears to be his first step into the political arena according to his campaign page biography.
Precinct 4 commissioner
The Llano County Precinct 4 commissioner is one of five voting members of the Llano County Commissioners Court. The court is the governing body of the county and responsible for determining county policy; setting the budget; and representing the county at the local, state, and federal levels. The Precinct 4 commissioner represents one of the four precincts in the county and is also responsible for maintaining the roads, bridges, and county-owned infrastructure within that precinct that is outside of city limits. Precinct 4 includes the city of Llano and much of western Llano County.
Llano County commissioners serve four-year terms and, as of 2025, earn an annual salary of $73,786. There are no term limits for serving as a county commissioner.
Llano County Precinct 4 commissioner candidate Jerry Don Moss. Photo submitted by candidate
Republican Jerry Don Moss, incumbent Precinct 4 commissioner. Moss is the senior member of the Llano County Commissioners Court, having served as the Llano County Precinct 4 commissioner since 2007.
Llano County Precinct 4 commissioner candidate Robert Little. Photo submitted by candidate
Republican Robert Little, Llano County resident. Little has a background in finance and this appears to be his first time stepping into the local political arena. He is also married to Leila Green Little, who is running for the Precinct 4 commissioner seat as a Democrat.
About DailyTrib
DailyTrib is under the umbrella of Victory Media, a Burnet County-based, family-owned company that has been publishing news in the Highland Lakes since 1991. DailyTrib is strictly dedicated to covering the people, places, and happenings of Burnet and Llano counties at the local level.
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