Winding down her final months as mayor of Kyle, Lucy Johnson gave an address at the Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon March 25 that focused on the area's population boom and what the city is doing to meet the challenges such growth brings.

In her "state of the city" speech Tuesday, Johnson remarked on a recent study by the Office of the State Demographer that projected Hays would be the fastest growing county in Texas between 2014 and 2050.

"For those of you wondering how fast Kyle could see 200 percent growth, don't worry about waiting around that long," the mayor said, alluding to the county's projected growth rate between now and 2050. "By 2032, we could easily see over 85,000 people in Kyle, just using the relatively moderate growth patterns of 2010 to 2012."

Johnson touted the economic viability of the Austin metropolitan area but also Kyle's recent gains in sales tax collections and increased economic development. She credited staff members at the city of Kyle as well as community volunteers for their contributions to the planning behind recent developments.

"It's Kyle's people who are enabling our city to become, and in many ways it already is, a flagship community for other cities within Texas to look to," she said. "This is how you face population growth, this is how you encourage new business. This is how you embrace your neighbors. This is how you make the state of your city strong."

Johnson, who took office in 2010 following a spell on City Council, said that in the wake of the 2007 announcement of Seton's plans to build the Seton Hays Medical Center, the square-footage of health care-related facilities in the city continues to rise. She said where less than 20,000 square feet of medical space existed in 2007, it is on its way to more than 800,000 square feet. The health care industry now provides about 1,800 jobs in the city, she said.

The mayor announced that the under-construction entertainment complex on Kyle Crossing, which would become the city's first movie theater, is expected to be completed before the holiday season. The theater will combine with a bowling alley, restaurant and bar and arcade at the facility, which will be called EVO, Johnson said.

"EVO is kind of a weird name for a movie theater, but for the joy they're bringing to our city, they can feel free to name it anything they'd like," she said.

Crime is down overall in the city, but 911 calls and accidents continue to rise as the population grows, the mayor said.

Some of the roads the police patrol will be improved as soon as next year after engineering contracts were approved on the five projects funded by a bond issue approved by voters last year. Johnson said approving the engineering contracts took longer than expected because of personnel issues, but construction is slated to be completed on a six-year timeline.

The mayor highlighted the importance of council's upcoming decision on whether to approve a Lone Star Rail station in the city. The $2 billion mass transit project would connect Georgetown to San Antonio via commuter rail. Austin and San Marcos have approved introductory agreements for rail stations. Kyle City Council will vote on the station this spring.

It may be the last decision the council, as it is currently composed makes. On May 10, three City Council seats are up for grabs, including Johnson's. She declined to seek a third term to instead focus on her professional pursuits.

"I suggest you reach out and get to know some of the people who would lead our city into the next three years," Johnson said. "They don't all have to be like me, they just have to understand what a special thing Kyle has going for it."