BURNET, Texas — In Burnet County, following the resignation of County Judge James Oakley, Commissioner Damon Beierle of Precinct 2 has taken over as interim leader of the Burnet County Commissioners Court. The move comes after Oakley stepped down from his role due to a public reprimand by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct related to security infractions and sexual harassment allegations.
Beierle, who will lead the court at least until an interim judge is appointed by the end of February, expressed his readiness to manage the court’s responsibilities efficiently. His tenure will primarily involve overseeing public meetings, day-to-day operational management of the court, and handling official documents necessary for county governance based on decisions by the Commissioners Court.
During a crucial meeting on January 3, while adopting this interim arrangement, the Commissioners also set the timeline and process for appointing Oakley’s permanent successor. This special meeting marked the beginning of duties for incoming Commissioner Chad Collier, who was sworn in on January 1.
The selection process for the new County Judge is rooted in transparency and community involvement and includes public forums and a commenting period. Applications for the position must be submitted by January 31. Following the submission deadline, the county will conduct background checks to ensure all applicants meet eligibility criteria – including age, residency in Burnet County for at least six months, and a clean criminal record.
On February 6, a public forum will be held to facilitate a question-and-answer session with potential candidates. This session will allow residents to directly engage with and understand the perspectives and visions of the people vying to serve as their next County Judge. Furthermore, from January 31 through mid-February, residents are encouraged to email their comments or questions concerning the applicants.
The Commissioners Court is scheduled to narrow the pool of candidates on February 11, leaving just two final candidates. These top candidates will be presented to the public at a second forum on February 13, allowing for further input from community members prior to the final decision.
Finally, the court plans to appoint the new County Judge during its regular meeting on February 25. The candidate chosen will fulfill the duties for the remainder of the term ending December 31, 2026.
Officials emphasize that this process is designed to find the most suitable candidate to lead Burnet County forward while maintaining the quality of public services that residents expect and rely upon. Updates regarding the timeline, locations, or procedural details will be made available to the public as the selection process progresses.
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