Burton council tables decision on private water lines found in TxDOT culvert

The Burton City Council on June 10 tabled a decision about two private water lines that run through a TxDOT culvert on FM 2780, after hearing from property owners and legal counsel.

Mayor Karen Buck outlined the timeline: the lines serve two homes approximately 0.4 miles north of the city’s connection on FM 1697 and were discovered by a TxDOT subcontractor performing culvert work. Council heard from homeowner Emily Cash and representatives for the neighboring property owners, including J. Kevin and Tonya Guelker Jones; Jerri Guelker and Jeff Rengert joined by Zoom to answer questions about how the lines were installed and the risks posed by the TxDOT project. The minutes note the council had met in closed session with the city attorney on June 3 to consider legal options.

Councilmember Jeff Eckhardt moved and Councilmember Nathan Kalkhake seconded the motion to table the item until the July meeting. The minutes record "FOR: McLaughlin, Tidweil; AGAINST: None" and state the motion passed. Council discussed options provided by attorneys and agreed to give property owners additional time to select a proposed remedy before returning the item for further action.

The issue matters to residents because the private lines cross state right-of-way and TxDOT’s planned culvert replacement requires clarity about easements, liability and construction methods (including possible bore options discussed with TxDOT and contractor Knife River). The council’s jurisdiction is limited; the record shows the city is coordinating with TxDOT, Knife River, its utility contractor and legal counsel to identify workable solutions and cost estimates before making a binding decision. The item will be revisited at the July council meeting.