County budget heat is on as fiscal year nears finish line

• Oakley

As July 4 approaches, get ready for patriotic celebrations and beaute- ous fireworks.

Fireworks of a different sort could be ignited at the Burnet County Courthouse during upcoming weeks.

When the Burnet County Commissioners Court next convenes, economic and political humidity could begin to rise. Because then the commissioners will have only a little more than 90 days to go before they must adopt a budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025, set to begin Oct. 1.

The clock is ticking.

Normally, the commissioners meet the second and fourth Tuesday each month. However, earlier this week, Burnet County Judge James Oakley attended the South Texas Counties Judges and Commissioners Association Conference at South Padre Island.

The annual gathering gives county officials chances to join workshops to discuss budget- building, infrastructure development and more weighty topics.

Because of the con-

'The budget we build will need to prioritize the backfilling of those positions that are currently attributed to ARPA funds.'

— James Oakley Burnet County Judge ference, the commissioners plan to meet at 9 a.m. Friday, June 28, as usual in Burnet at the County Courthouse, 220 S. Pierce St.

During the most recent commissioners meeting June 11, county officials hinted stormy clouds are beginning to appear on the financial radar.

At that meeting during his department update, Burnet County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Alan Trevino reminded the commissioners that a grant for one of two sher- iff's office mental health deputies is expected to expire Oct. 1.

“That is a blow,” Oakley said, indicating concern about funding for one of the positions.

The grant for the health deputy is facilitated by Bluebonnet Trails Community Services, County Auditor Karin Smith reminded the commissioners.

Near the close of the June 11 meeting, Oakley mentioned the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) federal grant fund approved by the U.S. Congress during 2021 is due to expire before the end of this year.

Congress approved the ARPA fund, also known as the COVID-19 Stimulus Package, to help Burnet County and many more entities across America cope with the multitude of economic hardships generated by the pandemic.

However, the ARPA well runs dry this December for Burnet County, Oakley warned the commissioners and attendees during the June 11 meeting.

Meaning, it appears the county ought to prepare for how to make do without a fund of more than $4.8 million.

Possibly, the end of ARPA funding could affect the status of about 15 county employees, including eight at the sheriff's office and "five or six” other county employees at other county departments, Oakley said June 11.

Oakley did not specify what positions outside the sheriff's office could be affected.

Possibly, county of- ficials may have to dig deep down into county coffers for new revenue sources.

“The budget we build will need to prioritize the backfilling of those posi tions that are currently attributed to ARPA funds,” Oakley told The Highlander June 24.

According to county budget records, the annual budget for the sheriff’s office is well above $6 million.

As such, Sheriff Calvin Boyd voiced calm earlier this week.

“There are funds in the (county) budget to cover those (eight) jobs,” Boyd told The Highlander June 25. “Because we knew at some point, ARPA would end. I cannot speak for the other departments.”

Upcoming Meeting

During the meeting scheduled for Friday, the commissioners plan to proclaim July 2024 as First Responders Month; adopt the Burnet County Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan; consider the use of county equipment to support First Responders Night at the Marble Falls Rodeo; and discuss the Burnet Central Appraisal District Report.