Jacob Cottingham

Hays County Commissioners have approved a resolution supporting the preservation of open space that the commissioners hope will make it easier for citizens and organizations to donate their land for conservation easements. By advocating that the Appraisal District lower the amount of acreage required to change a parcel of land’s special valuation from agricultural to […]

The mystery surrounding plans for a Hays County development by Jeremiah Venture continues to cause consternation among members of the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEAD) board. The major concern is the apparent differences between what the developers may have told Buda officials about their plans and what is contained in papers filed with […]

Hays County Commissioners have voted to create a citizen’s committee to develop recommendations for the $20 million Hays Road Bond election, planned for November. In addition, the Court approved a tentative timeline for the bond election and authorized a request for proposal for consultant to work with the committee.   Pct. 2 Commissioner Jeff Barton […]

Directors of the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District have joined State Rep. Patrick Rose (D-Dripping Springs) in expressing concerns about a proposed subdivision off FM 967 in Hays County. Director Mary Stone, whose district encompasses the proposed development said, “It’s a development over the recharge and we need to ensure that everybody has access […]

Hays County Commissioners unanimously approved $3 million Tuesday towards preserving Jacob’s Well in Wimberley. Saving the popular swimming hole and aquifer feature has been an important cause to many, not the least of which is the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association (WVWA). The issue drew a packed audience to the court, several of whom spoke in […]

The Del Valle ISD Board of Trustees last night unanimously endorsed the proposed Villa Muse project, passing a resolution urging the City of Austin and Travis County to “proceed with agreements necessary,” to allow the development—including release of the project’s site from the city’s extra-territorial jurisdiction.   The resolution cites the “additional $3 billion to […]

Hays County Commissioners were forced to make a tough decision Tuesday between upholding proper procedures and denying a family the use of its home. Pct. 1 Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe cast the deciding vote in forbidding Florinda Martinez’s family to install septic tanks, preventing them from occupying the home they built in what is technically an […]

Buda resident Mary Stone was named last night as interim Pct. 1 Director for the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District. She will replace former Pct. 1 Director Chuck Murphy of Buda, who was forced to resign when his employer transferred him out of the state.   Stone will hold the position until voters choose […]

Confusion over who has the authority to spend $25,000 in funds earmarked for the Transportation Advisory Board led to some tense exchanges at last week’s Hays County Commissioner’s Court meeting. Pct 3 Commissioner Will Conley and Judge Liz Sumter clashed over whether she acted outside of her authority in approving the hiring of a consultant […]

After rescinding an earlier vote, Hays County Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to hold a public hearing to determine guidelines for deciding whether to take over maintenance of previously private roads.   The agenda item to “accept Oak Branch (Road) into the county maintenance system if residents bring the road up to accepted standards,” started as […]