GEORGETOWN — With wildfires raging in Kansas, Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle, Williamson County commissioners issued a burn ban and fielded complaints about the county’s election process.
On Tuesday, County Judge Steven Snell noted gusty winds influenced the commission’s decision to enact the prohibition on burning in the unincorporated parts of Wilco for the next 90 days.
“The last thing we want to do is have a burn ban, but we’ve got to keep everyone safe,” Snell said during the Feb. 24 session.
The decision was a change of pace from a Feb. 3 meeting when commissioners questioned a request from County Fire Marshal Mike Lugo to enact a ban.
During that session, Lugo noted Milam, Burnet and Bastrop counties made such declarations in January.
However, during that early February meeting, Williamson County’s elected representatives noted rains and sleet had saturated the area.
They asked Lugo to come back with more data before rendering a decision.
Additional information forwarded to commissioners by Feb. 24 and a blaze in nearby Burnet County convinced the court to declare the prohibition on outdoor burns.
“The dryness of the air, plus the wind and what’s considered fuel in terms of dead vegetation, makes wildfire situations very dangerous,” Snell said.
Also on the minds of local leaders is the 8 Ball Fire in the Panhandle, which last week spread to two counties and consumed more than 13,500 acres.
Unless commissioners rescind the Wilco ban, it could remain in place until May 25 or May 26.
Meanwhile, several residents addressed the court during the public-comment portion to share concerns about election integrity in the county.
Many said they were unsure if they were even provided with the correct ballots to vote with.
Other worries included an elections supervisor unplugging a clock, darkened rooms to cast ballots and the overall decision to return to hand-marked ballots with one resident saying these situations have “eroded our trust in our elections.”
Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey noted that rules prohibit those on the dais from responding to the public comments, “but please know we will be looking into them.”
Early voting ends Friday. Polls for the March 3 primary are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The court will next meet at 9:30 a.m. March 3 at 710 S. Main St.
Sessions can also be viewed online at wilcotx.gov/331/ Commissioners- Court.
