Burleson County commissioners approve grants, appointments and road actions in routine meeting

CALDWELL, Texas — The Burleson County Commissioners Court on April 24 approved a package of routine contracts, grants, personnel actions and road decisions, while hearing a brief public comment and a presentation on employee health benefits.

County Judge Keith Schroeder called the meeting to order and the court opened with prayer; John Gause addressed the court during public forum and expressed appreciation for county staff work. In the Sheriff’s report Chief Garrett Durrenberger said the county jail held 40 inmates — 38 males and 2 females — and noted that Haley Nichols and Randy Jackson are assisting with mental‑health cases. Shawn Edward presented the April 2023 mental‑health report (attachment referenced).

The court unanimously approved a consent agenda that included two donations — $130 to the Burleson Health Resource Center and $200 to the Sheriff’s Inmate Work Program — and then considered a series of separate motions.

Major approvals included a resolution authorizing submission of a Community Development Block Grant Mitigation (CDBG‑MIT) Regional MOD application to the Texas General Land Office for $1,076,300, contingent on addressing all public comments by the May 2, 2023 close of the comment period. The court also approved acceptance of a $15,000 Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Dam Safety grant to prepare an Emergency Action Plan for Cade Lake Dam No. 3.

On personnel matters the court deputized Randy Jackson as a deputy sheriff and approved deputations for three deputy tax assessor/collector positions for Zanetta Burns, Lizbeth Lazo and Shana Tanner. The court also approved a public official bond for Charissa Aileen Hott as Compliance Officer/Deputy County Clerk and authorized auctioning surplus county equipment and property.

Road and infrastructure decisions included approving the proposed private road name “Peapod Lane,” approving the Deanville Water Supply Corporation’s proposed water line within the right‑of‑way of County Road 127, and approving abandonment of an unnamed county road in Precinct 3 with the underlying land reverting to John Gause. A citizen’s request to table a proposal to build a boat dock on Lake Somerville at Birch Creek was granted.

Financial actions included approval of the second‑quarter FY2023 investment report, adoption of the annual investment policy and acceptance of the Treasurer’s monthly reports for January through March 2023. The auditor reported sales tax receipts of $105,599, an 11.5% increase over the comparable period.

Representative Orland Espinoza of the Texas Association of Counties Health Employee Benefits Plan briefed the court on upcoming health insurance plan and rate proposals for the 2023–2024 plan year; the briefing was for informational purposes and no vote on benefits was recorded.

All recorded motions in the minutes carried unanimously with the members present. The court adjourned after approving payment of bills.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (donations accepted): Motion by Commissioner David Hildebrand; second Dwayne Faust; outcome: approved (all voted aye). - Project SNIP annual contract: Motion by Vincent Svec; second Robert (Bobby) Urbanosky; outcome: approved (all voted aye). - Boat dock at Birch Creek: Motion to table by Robert Urbanosky; second Vincent Svec; outcome: tabled (all voted aye). - Peapod Lane road name: Motion by Vincent Svec; second Robert Urbanosky; outcome: approved (all voted aye). - Deputation of Randy Jackson (Deputy Sheriff): Motion by David Hildebrand; second Dwayne Faust; outcome: approved (all voted aye). - 2Q FY2023 Investment Report: Motion by David Hildebrand; second Vincent Svec; outcome: approved (all voted aye). - Annual Investment Policy: Motion by David Hildebrand; second Dwayne Faust; outcome: approved (all voted aye). - Treasurer’s monthly reports (Jan–Mar 2023): Motion by Dwayne Faust; second David Hildebrand; outcome: approved (all voted aye). - Soil & Water Stewardship Week proclamation: Motion by Robert Urbanosky; second Vincent Svec; outcome: approved (all voted aye). - TCEQ Dam Safety grant ($15,000) for Cade Lake Dam #3 EAP: Motion by Dwayne Faust; second David Hildebrand; outcome: approved (all voted aye). - CDBG‑MIT Regional MOD application ($1,076,300): Motion by Vincent Svec; second Dwayne Faust; outcome: approved (all voted aye); contingent on addressing public comments by May 2, 2023. - Road abandonment in Precinct 3 (land to John Gause): Motion by David Hildebrand; second Vincent Svec; outcome: approved (all voted aye). - Deanville Water Supply Corp. water line within CR 127 ROW: Motion by Dwayne Faust; second David Hildebrand; outcome: approved (all voted aye). - Deputations for Deputy Tax Assessor/Collector (Z. Burns, L. Lazo, S. Tanner): Motion by Dwayne Faust; second David Hildebrand; outcome: approved (all voted aye). - Public official bond for Charissa A. Hott: Motion by Vincent Svec; second Dwayne Faust; outcome: approved (all voted aye). - Auction surplus county property: Motion by David Hildebrand; second Dwayne Faust; outcome: approved (all voted aye). - Vehicle inscription exemptions resolution: Motion by Dwayne Faust; second David Hildebrand; outcome: approved (all voted aye). - Payment of bills: Motion by David Hildebrand; second Vincent Svec; outcome: approved (all voted aye).

What happens next: The CDBG‑MIT application will be submitted to the Texas General Land Office and is contingent on addressing any public comments by May 2, 2023; other approvals carry forward to implementation by the responsible county departments or to the entities named in each action.