Burleson County court approves appointments, grants, land purchase authorization and contract renewals

At its Dec. 22 regular meeting in Caldwell, the Burleson County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a slate of routine actions, including personnel appointments, contract renewals, grant acceptance and a resolution authorizing purchase of roughly 2.128 acres.

The court voted to appoint Patti Vychopen as Elections Administrator after a motion by Commissioner David Hildebrand and a second from Commissioner Vincent Svec. The court also reappointed Buster Evers, Becky Goetsch and Jay Wilder to the Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District following a motion by Commissioner Robert "Bobby" Urbanosky, seconded by Commissioner Dwayne Faust.

On grants and budget items, the court ratified acceptance of a $77,480 Local Hazard Mitigation Planning Program grant from the Texas General Land Office (Contract No. 22-130-098-F551) after a motion by Hildebrand and a second by Faust. Commissioners also approved resolutions to apply for fiscal-year 2027 grant programs through OOG, including the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program and the Victim Assistance General Direct Services grant; the court voted to strike a separate proposed resolution for the OOG Active Attack Response Equipment grant program.

Property and contracts were another focus. The court approved an amendment of a lease with 1536 Highway, LLC extending occupancy for Road and Bridge Precinct 3 at 6190 SH 36 North through Dec. 31, 2027, and approved renewal of engineering services contracts with Kent Laza and Rick Tobolka. The court also approved a resolution authorizing purchase of approximately 2.128 acres and granted the county judge authority to sign conveyance documents on the county’s behalf.

Other matters approved unanimously included two subdivision exceptions for property owned by Donnie Hejl on County Road 244; approval of a radio tower lease; authorization for issuance of exempt license plates for the Sheriff and County Attorney offices; temporary right-of-way permitting for a Wildfire Energy waterline along County Road 210; and termination of agreements to contribute right-of-way funds with TxDOT for CSJ# 0648-03-063 and 0648-03-064.

All recorded motions were approved by unanimous vote of the court members present: County Judge Keith Schroeder and Commissioners Dwayne Faust (Pct. 1), Vincent Svec (Pct. 2), David Hildebrand (Pct. 3) and Robert "Bobby" Urbanosky (Pct. 4). The court approved payment of bills and then adjourned.

Votes at a glance: Approve alternate Hidden Oaks Subdivision road design (approved); appoint Patti Vychopen as Elections Administrator (approved); reappoint Buster Evers, Becky Goetsch and Jay Wilder to Post Oak Savannah GCD (approved); approve two subdivision exceptions for Donnie Hejl (approved); deputation of Dylan Bryant as deputy sheriff (approved); ratify acceptance of GLO LAHMPP grant $77,480 (approved); appoint Crystal Bernstein to BVCOG Criminal Justice Advisory Board (approved); renew engineering contracts with Kent Laza and Rick Tobolka (approved); radio tower lease (approved); exempt plates authorization (approved); lease amendment with 1536 Highway, LLC (approved); resolution to purchase ~2.128 acres (approved); apply for OOG FY27 PSN and Victim Assistance grants (approved); strike Active Attack grant resolution (approved to strike); temporary ROW permit for Wildfire Energy (approved); terminate TxDOT ROW contribution agreements CSJ# 0648-03-063 and 0648-03-064 (approved); authorize payment of bills (approved); adjourn (approved).

The court’s actions were largely procedural and routine; several items carry follow-up administrative steps such as execution of conveyance documents and grant paperwork. The meeting record lists attachments for many items (contracts, lease documents and grant paperwork) that will be retained with the minutes.