County to revisit Health Authority pick

• Madrigal
• Offutt

Burnet County commissioners decided to delay consideration of the re-appointment of the current Burnet County Health Authority to a two-year contract.

Dr. Juliette Madrigal, who has been the county’s Health Authority for about two decades, came under fire by a citizen, who attended the April 23 regular meeting.

If approved, the contract ext ension would go to Dec. 31, 2026.

“It is a thankless job,” Oakley noted. “Not everybody wants to step up and do it.” Madrigal has served as the health authority for 20 years, Oakley added. Marble Falls busi -

nessman Mark McDon - ald voiced objection to the re-appointment of Madrigal. "I think 20 years is enough," McDonald told the commissioners. He opposes the re-ap -

pointment of Madrigal because of the manda - tory masking, business and schools closures she approved during the COVID-19 pandemic four years ago, McDon -

ald said.

During the height of the worldwide public health scare, Gov. Abbott mandated all the COVID restrictions, Oakley re - minded McDonald. "There were a lot of unknowns then," Oakley added. Even so, McDonald suggested perhaps Mar - ble Falls physician Dr. Amy Offutt could be considered to succeed Madrigal. "We need someone who could take a total - ly different approach through the next pandem -

ic," McDonald said. In turn, the commis - sioners tabled action on the matter until another unannounced date.