Comal County commissioners enact burn ban, approve flood sensor and fleet safety software, set public hearing

Comal County Commissioners Court on Thursday, March 13, 2025, voted to enact a countywide outdoor burning ban, approved placement of a new high-water warning siren and flood sensor on private property along River Road, authorized purchase of fleet safety software for the road department and set a public hearing to consider cancelling portions of a subdivision.

The actions addressed near-term public-safety concerns and routine county business. The court approved an outdoor burn ban effective 6 a.m. March 14; authorized entry agreements to install a flood sensor and siren at 8664 River Road; approved a Samsara fleet maintenance and camera subscription for the county road department estimated at about $7,000 annually for 12 licenses; and set a public hearing for April 10 on a landowner request to cancel portions of Ranch Louise.

County Judge called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. and the court first approved claims for the month of March 2025. Commissioner Hogg moved to approve the claims as presented; the court recorded electronic funds transfers of $1,237,579.42 and regular claims of $781,744.80 for a total of $2,019,324.22. Commissioner Leacotte seconded the motion, which the court approved.

The burn ban was introduced by county staff member Mister Kilbendy, who described rising fire-risk indices and asked the court to begin the ban the following morning. "I'm asking if we can put the burn ban on starting tomorrow, March 14 at 6AM," Kilbendy said. The court adopted an order prohibiting all outdoor burning in unincorporated Comal County effective 6 a.m. March 14, 2025.

On flood-warning infrastructure, the court approved an agreement to allow Comal County to enter property owned by Richard D. Rivers and William G. Rivers at 8664 River Road to install an upgraded siren and a new river flood sensor as part of a high-water warning system serving crossings downstream of Canyon Lake. A county staff presentation said the sensor and siren will provide real-time river data and allow the county to trigger its warning system as needed.

The court also approved a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality owner-authorization form that allows a developer to perform work in county-maintained right of way near the intersection of Lobo Park and Blanco Road for the Ventana (Park Village) development. County staff noted jurisdictional overlap with the City of Bulverde and said the authorization covers work in county right of way only.

Road and bridge officials asked the court to approve a line-item transfer to pay for 12 Samsara software licenses, camera dashboards and telematics devices intended for training and real-time coaching of commercial drivers. The presenter said the system "actually gives real time coaching" by monitoring speed, seat-belt use, following distance and other behaviors and delivering immediate alerts to drivers and supervisors. The county estimated the initial annual cost at about $7,000 for the 12 licenses; the court approved the transfer.

Other routine approvals included the tax assessor-collector's monthly collection report for February 2025 and several line-item transfers to cover year-end accruals and a copier lease overage in the road and bridge administration budget. The court also approved a street name, Sunstorm Circle, for a private road southwest of Old Bastrop Road and River City Drive.

On land-use procedure, county staff described a request from a property owner to cancel Lots 6R and 7R of Ranch Louise, two tracts platted in the 1990s. The court set a public hearing for 8:30 a.m. April 10, 2025, in the Second Floor courtroom at 100 Main Plaza, New Braunfels, for public comment and formal consideration of the cancellation.

Comal County Auditor Jesse Raw accepted a certificate recognizing excellence in financial reporting. "This is the county certificate. This is the department's certificate for all the hard work that they do," Raw said during the presentation, noting the award and the county's reporting improvements.

The court recorded each motion with a second and, unless noted, motions carried by majority voice vote of the commissioners present. Commissioner Webb was absent for the meeting. With no need for executive session, the court recessed at the close of the agenda.