Donna Klaeger was sworn into office as the Burnet County Judge on January 1, 2007. She is the first woman in history to serve on Burnet County Commissioner’s Court. She served Burnet County as Treasurer for eight years, Executive Director of The Seriff Foundation and the Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce, Director of Development at Seton Highland Lakes Hospital and has owned and managed a ladies and children’s clothing store in Marble Falls.
The Texas Constitution vests broad judicial and administrative powers in the position of county judge, who presides over a five member commissioner's court, which has budgetary and administrative authority over county government operations.
The Judge is responsible for calling elections, posting election notices and for receiving and canvassing the election returns. The county judge may perform marriages.
As constitutional county judge, Klaeger resides over weekly criminal misdemeanor court, probate matters and assists with juvenile detention hearings. Judge Klaeger has appellate jurisdiction over matters arising from the justice courts.
Judge Klaeger is head of civil defense and disaster relief, county welfare and prepares the county budget partnering with the county auditor.
As a Burnet County elected official, Klaeger has served as Treasurer, Investment Officer, and Human Resources Director and developed the following programs:
As County Judge, Klaeger represents Burnet County in the following capacity:
- Chair of the Executive Committee of Capital Area Planning Council of Governments (CAPCOG)
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Executive Committee Texas Association of Regional Councils (TARC)
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Capital Area Regional Transportation Organization
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Chair of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, appointed by Governor Rick Perry
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33rd Judicial District Juvenile Probation Board
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Charter Member Central Texas Water Coalition
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Texas Foundation for Women's Leadership Class of 2008
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Texas Association of Counties Leadership Class, 2010
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Center for Public Policy Dispute Resolution, University School of Law, Fellow 2008
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Texas Judicial Academy Fellow, 2008, 2009, 2010 2011
Judge Klaeger has focused on growth planning by implementing and facilitating:
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Commissioners Court
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Regional Water Infrastructure Plan
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Regional Transportation Plan
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Legislative Issues
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Indigent Health and Defense
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Emergency Management
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Homeland Security
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Subdivision Rule and Regulation review
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Comprehensive Plan
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Water Issues
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City / County Collaborations
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Facilities Management
Burnet County Departments under the purview of Judge Klaeger:
Klaeger is a very active volunteer leader in the community; either currently or in the past, served;
- Advisory Board Director - The Legacy Fund of the Highland Lakes
- The Boys and Girls Club
- Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce
- Friends of the Marble Falls Library
- Rotary
- Highland Lakes Health Fund
- Burnet County Hospital Authority Board
- Central Texas Water Coalition
Klaeger moved to Burnet County in 1991 from San Antonio,Texas where her 15 year career focused on Business Administration and Management. She is married to Robert Klaeger, a local attorney, and has 3 children; Megan, Charlie and Bobi. The family are members of the First Baptist Church in Marble Falls.
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