Horseshoe Bay news

By Connie Swinney and Lew K. Cohn
The Highlander

Burnet County officials, in cooperation with municipalities and the Burnet County Health Authority, opted March 25 to order “Stay in Place and Stay Safe” guidelines in response to growing concerns about minimizing the number of potential infections of the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

By Jeff Shabram
Publisher

As we all continue to deal with the fallout and effects of the threat of coronavirus, we realize that our readers need accurate information.

In light of the announcement of the Burnet County "Stay in Place and Stay Safe" emergency order on March 25, 2020, we will continue our operations as an essential service in the provision of news coverage for the community.

Special to The Highlander

Pedernales Electric Cooperative’s (PEC) Board of Directors approved a rate reduction that will save PEC members over $6 million a year.

The rate decrease, which goes into effect June 1, reflects a reduction in the cost of power from PEC’s primary suppliers, including the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA). …

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

It took a total of some 14 months, but Burnet County has cleared two more hurdles on the way to a proposed Wirtz Dam Road bridge crossing that would link Ranch to Market Road 1431 with RM 2147.

On Tuesday, Feb. 25, Burnet County commissioners approved the final version of an advanced funding agreement, or AFA, between the county and the Texas Department of Transportation that will allow the county to pay — and be reimbursed for — preliminary engineering and environmental studies for the bridge crossing. …

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

Sales tax allocations for February for Marble Falls shattered a previous all-time record, topping $900,000 for the first-time ever as the county's largest city continues to experience outstanding economic growth.

Special to The Highlander

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has approved an updated Water Management Plan that governs how the Lower Colorado River Authority manages lakes Buchanan and Travis.

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

The south end of Burnet County (Marble Falls, Granite Shoals, Cottonwood Shores and Horseshoe Bay) saw smaller sales tax revenue growth in January as spending appears to have returned to the level it was prior to the October 2018 flood.

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

Death at the Llano County Jail was one hot-button question tossed at the sheriff's candidates at a primary forum in Horseshoe Bay on Wednesday, Jan. 29.

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

The city of Horseshoe Bay will purchase new self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA) for Horseshoe Bay Fire Rescue for $107,000 to take care of a critical equipment need in response to a request made earlier this month by Fire Chief Brent Batla.

Batla said the new air bottles and air packs will be paid for using money taken from the capital budget for a new fire rescue boat. The majority of SCBA within the department will be reaching their mandated end-of-life between this fiscal year and next, Batla said. …

From staff reports

The Texas Press Association recognized The Highlander for outstanding achievement in several areas during its annual trade show and convention Jan. 16-18 at the 140th TPA Convention & Trade Show held at Moody Gardens Hotel, Convention Center & Spa in Galveston.