Hays County officials and residents concerned over the proposed pumping of 1.8 billion gallons of water per year from the Trinity Aquifer are calling for the Texas Legislature’s help. “Immediate action needs to be taken to fill in that white zone, that white area, and that can only be done by our legislature,” Pct. 3 […]
Andy Sevilla
Posted inHays County, Local Government, Resources, Water
Buda Council makes waves with water contract
Much to the dismay of a standing-room-only crowd at Buda City Hall, City Council members approved a water supply contract Tuesday that would allow up to 1 million gallons per day for city use from the Trinity Aquifer in western Hays County. Electro Purification, the Houston-based water supplier that is looking to extract water from […]
Posted inDevelopment, Housing, Local Government
Affordable housing projects look to locate in Buda
Unsavory concerns and strong emotions reignited in Buda recently, as city staffers informed the city council that two prospects were looking to develop affordable housing rental units there. Previously failed affordable housing proposals earlier this year in Buda are coming back for a second look. In January, three developers interested in pursuing the Texas Department […]
Posted inElections, Hays County, Local Government, Local Politics
Some San Marcos voters turned away on Election Day
As many as a dozen San Marcos voters were kept from casting a ballot on Election Day due to power outages at polling places, according to the Hays County Elections Administrator. Reports of somewhere between five and 12 voters were turned away at San Marcos Housing – Residents Office at 820 Sturgeon St., Elections Administrator […]
Posted inLocal Government
Proposed Buda bonds could triple city’s debt
Buda will hold its first-ever bond election this November. And if voters greenlight the proposed improvements, the city’s debt could more than triple to $80 million. Buda Council members approved a $55 million bond election and its breakdown into five separate propositions, per the recommendation of the Buda Bond Advisory Committee — a resident-volunteer committee […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Government
Water woes rise as 2,200 homes planned in Hays
An Austin-based developer is proposing 2,200 high-end homes in Mountain City’s extraterritorial jurisdiction in Hays County. And with big development projects come rising water concerns in a drought-stricken area where ground and surface water levels are lowering. “The main area of concern has been the water issue and where we will be getting water” for […]
Posted inElections, Public Safety
Hays County delays jail bond election
Pressed for time and with numerous unresolved issues, Hays County Commissioners postponed calling a $188 million bond election for November that would have funded a new jail, a co-located 911 center, a law enforcement center and a training hub. In a special meeting Monday, commissioners decided to delay a bond election, opting instead to push […]
Posted inLocal Government, Public Safety
Hays County poised to call $188M bond election for new jail
Hays County officials say a new jail is needed now, and they want to put the question to voters. The jail, plus a communications facility and law enforcement center, could cost up to $188.5 million, and Hays County Commissioners seemed interested Tuesday in putting the issue up for a vote in November. “If we’re going […]
Posted inLocal Government, Local Politics
Kyle Council member under investigation over campaign filings
Kyle Council Member Becky Selbera is, once again, on the hot seat. The city’s Ethics Commission unanimously voted last week to investigate allegations that Selbera may have violated the Code of Ethics when she allegedly solicited the help of City Attorney Ken Johnson for political purposes. Ethics Commissioner Raven Scott made the motion to look […]
Posted inEnvironment, Local Politics, Transportation
Riley, Cole continue to oppose SH45 SW in CAMPO’s 2040 Plan
Austin Council Member Chris Riley and Mayor Pro Tem Sheryl Cole voiced continued opposition to State Highway 45 Southwest toll road project at the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Policy Board meeting Monday. Riley and Cole opposed including SH45 SW in the CAMPO 2040 Plan. Riley was carrying Council Member Bill Spelman’s proxy and […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Government, Transportation
Hays County Commissioner says plans for SH 45 SW ‘done deal’
Construction on the estimated $100 million State Highway 45 Southwest toll road connecting northern Hays County to southwest Austin is expected early next year. “It’s been in the works for 26 years now,” Hays County Pct. 2 Commissioner Mark Jones said. “I’ve been involved with it since I became commissioner three years ago; and when […]
Posted inLocal Government, Resources
Despite hurdles, Hays County, Forestar move ahead with water deal
Hays County Commissioners are moving forward with a massive water supply contract, despite not clearing a legal hurdle called for by the water reservation and purchase agreement. Last October, Hays County officials entered into a contract with Austin-based Forestar Real Estate Group to secure the reservation and purchase of 45,000 acre-feet of water per year […]