HighlandLakesLive.com

by Raymond V. Whelan • Daily Tribune Staff

MARBLE FALLS - Burnet County sustained several serious private and public losses during the disastrous June flood. However, as the area continues to recover, sunnier skies and brighter days will come.

That was the optimistic message County Judge Donna Klaeger delivered during her state-of-the-county speech to more than 60 guests attending a luncheon hosted by the Burnet County Republican Women Thursday at the River City Grille, 700 First St.

“I could not be prouder of our community,” Klaeger said. “Rescue efforts are over, but recovery will continue for many years, I think. We are living in a dynamic community. A lot of people are moving to our community and getting involved.”

Early during her address, Klaeger praised emergency first responders for their efforts during the June 26-27 flood that swamped several communities in the Highland Lakes.

“Burnet County knows how to take care of itself during an emergency,” Klaeger said.

Diligent preparation and practice exercises by police, fire and emergency medical services personnel weeks before the flood helped Highland Lakes residents pull through the storm, the judge noted.

“As any athletic coach will tell you, ‘You play as well as you practice,’ and we practice real good,” Klaeger said.

More than $1.1 million has already been disbursed by the Federal Emergency Assistance Agency to individuals and private businesses who reported damages during the June flood, Klaeger said.

Turning to public assistance, the judge said the county has “$100,000 in the bank” to pay for road and bridge repairs, and FEMA will reimburse the county for most of the flood-related infrastructure expenditures.

Also, the Lower Colorado River Authority and county officials are working together to remove lake debris left over by the June flood, Klaeger said.

LCRA officials recently provided the county with a $50,000 grant for debris removal. About $30,000 is going to Granite Shoals to clean up Lake LBJ coves littered with debris.

“We have identified the problem,” Klaeger said.

During upcoming weeks, the Burnet County Commissioners Court will tackle several issues, including new subdivision regulations and a countywide transportation plan, the judge said.

“All the challenges we have are centered on growth,” she said. “It is here, and it is happening.”

Up to 14 residential subdivisions have recently applied for plats, and all of them will require water and emergency services, Klaeger told the audience.

Also, the judge said, Wednesday at Marble Falls City Hall, the commissioners will hear Texas Department of Transportation officials discuss pass-through funding for a new countywide transportation plan.

TxDOT has already paid $500,000 to develop the plan, she said.

As another sign of progress, Klaeger mentioned the county now holds the deed to 75 acres near the state’s Ellen Halbert Unit for Women. Several weeks ago, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice agreed to transfer the land so the county would have space for a new 700-bed jail facility, which Southwestern Correctional LLC plans to design, build and manage.

“Other than a little time, it cost us zero, and we will be $1.5 million richer in land assets,” Klaeger said. “I hope we will break ground (for the new jail) by the end of the year.”

Also during upcoming weeks, commissioners will consider how to raise more funds for fire departments and emergency medical services, the judge said. To that end, commissioners will discuss whether they can support the creation of one or more emergency services districts.

“We’re in a learning process right now,” Klaeger said.

Toward the end of the month, county and LCRA officials will hold joint community meetings to discuss strategic planning for growth and “to start addressing what the priorities are,” the judge added.

For fiscal year 2007-2008, set to begin Oct. 1, the proposed county tax rate is 37.60 cents per $100 of property valuation, Klaeger said, adding the county tax rate was 38.70 cents during fiscal year 2006-2007.

Officials have determined the FY 2008 effective rate will be set at 35.47 cents, Klaeger said.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Bill Neve, Precinct 2 Commissioner Russell Graeter, Precinct 3 Commissioner Ronny Hibler and Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Don Dockery attended Klaeger’s address, along with Bertram Mayor Pro-Tem Marilyn Goode, Burnet County Sheriff Joe Pollock and other officials.

Before Klaeger spoke, Nancy Parmeter introduced the judge, and Harvey Klee, Charles Taylor and Ben Redler from the Highland Lakes Honor Guard led the pledge of allegiance before the United States and Texas flags.

Later, Neve told the group Klaeger would address the Texas Association of Counties next month in Galveston. He said TAC invited Klaeger because of her leadership during the June flood.

raymond@thepicayune.com

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Klaeger: County weathered disasters well