Buda council talks bonds amid state bill threat
With a proposed state law threatening to limit local borrowing, Buda officials may accelerate bond sales to avoid delays to key infrastructure projects.
In response to House Bill 19—which would cap how much debt Texas cities can take on—the Buda City Council on May 6 reviewed the city’s debt portfolio and the timeline for spending voter-approved bond funds.
Buda’s current funding portfolio includes remaining funds from its 2021 general obligation bonds, along with planned funding for capital improvement projects, such as the Sequoyah drainage improvements and downtown streetscaping.
Read the full story by Reporter Jamie Moore.
2 groundwater bills can impact Hays County’s future water use if passed
Two bills in the Texas Legislature can impact groundwater resources in Hays County, with one bill providing more parameters for groundwater use and another decreasing regulation.
Senate Bill 2660, introduced by Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, would grant the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, or HTGCD, the authority to charge fees to water suppliers and nonexempt users based on how much groundwater they withdraw.
House Bill 2812, introduced by Republican Rep. Carrie Isaac, who represents parts of Hays and Comal counties, would exempt public water supply wells from regulation, permitting and metering by the HTGCD.
Read the full story by Reporter Elisabeth Jimenez.
Appeals court halts San Marcos marijuana ordinance, restoring low-level enforcement
A state appeals court has temporarily blocked the city's voter-approved marijuana ordinance, meaning residents may once again face citations for low-level possession, and litigation on the ordinance will continue.
In the November 2022 election, more than 15,600 San Marcos residents—81.86% of voters—approved Proposition A, a ballot initiative directing city police to stop citing or arresting individuals for low-level marijuana offenses, along with other marijuana-related directives, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
Following its passage, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging that San Marcos had adopted “amnesty and nonprosecution policies” that violate state law, specifically a provision of the Texas Local Government Code that bars cities from limiting the enforcement of drug laws.
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Kyle approves first Water Master Plan to address growth and supply
After months of supply concerns, Kyle has finalized its first comprehensive Water Master Plan. City Council unanimously approved the plan during its April 15 meeting, according to a news release, “marking a significant milestone in long-term water planning and infrastructure development.”
The city partnered with STV Engineering to develop the plan, which aims to evaluate Kyle’s existing water sources and provide a strategic framework for acquiring additional water, managing the current supply and recommending system improvements to meet the needs of current and future residents, according to the release.
The Water Master Plan will guide the city’s water planning efforts for the next 50 years.
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Hays County calls for pause on property tax exemption decisions
Amid concerns over tax revenue losses, Hays County officials are calling for a pause on property tax exemption decisions.
Specifically, Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra formally requested in a letter that the Hays Central Appraisal District halt decisions on several tax exemption applications until the state provides legal guidance, according to a news release.
On April 28, Hays County filed a temporary restraining order against out-of-county housing finance corporations seeking tax exemptions on multifamily properties within the county.
Take a deep dive into the story.
San Marcos asks Guadalupe County to address health hazards
On April 1, San Marcos City Council approved a resolution asking Guadalupe County to address potential health and safety issues in the Redwood and Rancho Vista communities, following reports of increased intestinal parasites among residents.
The resolution encourages the county to seek state and federal assistance, including funding from the Texas Water Development Board’s Economically Distressed Area Program.
Redwood and Rancho Vista are located outside San Marcos city limits but fall under Guadalupe County’s jurisdiction and within San Marcos CISD boundaries.
According to a 2020 study by The University of Texas Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs and Baylor College of Medicine, failing septic systems and drainage problems in the communities may be linked to the reported rise in intestinal parasites.
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