1. 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.
2. Hays County Commissioners Court passes resolution in support of countywide polling locations
The Hays County Commissioners Court approved a resolution at its Jan. 28 meeting supporting the Countywide Polling Place Program and the use of electronic poll books in future elections.
The program allows voters to cast their ballots at any polling location within the county, regardless of their specific precinct, according to a Jan. 28 news release.
The overview
The Hays County Commissioners Court passed the resolution after multiple Texas Senate bills, such as Senate Bill 990 and House Bill 5231, in previous legislative sessions sought to eliminate countywide polling.
3. Hays County removes, relocates polling locations ahead of early voting
The gist
While the Sunfield Station and the DSISD Center for Learning and Leadership polling locations will be relocated within their precincts, the Driftwood Community Center will be removed as a polling location and will not be replaced.
Based on an audit by the Department of Justice, Driftwood Community Center, Sunfield Station, DSISD Center for Learning and Leadership and LBJ Student Center at Texas State University were identified as non-compliant. Texas State officials were able to address the ADA non-compliant areas with temporary solutions; the student center will remain a polling location for this election.
4. Hays County seeks public feedback on Fitzhugh Road safety upgrades
Winding, bumpy and sometimes busy, Fitzhugh Road southwest of Austin is slated for safety upgrades—and Hays County wants residents’ input.
The details
The county will host an open house Aug. 20 from 5-7 p.m. at 13476 Fitzhugh Road, Austin, to review a Fitzhugh Road safety study.
The event will provide updates on proposed safety improvements and give community members an opportunity to share input on planned upgrades along Fitzhugh Road between RM 12 and the Hays County line near Pauls Valley Road.
5. Hays County ends partnership with Austin Pets Alive!, future programming uncertain
The details
The contract would have continued the partnership Hays County had with APA! to manage the Hays County Pet Resource, Education and Research Center, or the PRC. APA! has served as project coordinator for the PRC since March 2023.
The PRC is a virtual resource center, not a physical center, that connects pet owners with local services in an effort to keep animals out of the shelter system.
6. Hays County property tax bills could rise over $200
The average Hays County property tax bill will increase by over $200 to help bolster services for its increasing population.
The overview
The Hays County Commissioners Court adopted the fiscal year 2025-26 tax rate of $0.3999 per $100 valuation, up from the FY 2024-25 tax rate of $0.2256, at a Sept. 16 meeting, according to a county news release.
Commissioners also approved the county's $373.85 million budget Sept. 16.
7. Hays County Commissioners Court reviews food insecurity report
Hays County has new insight into how food insecurity affects its residents.
After a yearlong collaboration between the Hays County Health Department and the Central Texas Food Bank, or CTFB, the Hays County Commissioners Court received a presentation on the Hays County Community Food Needs Assessment from CTFB at its Feb. 11 meeting.
The overview
As part of the community needs assessment, the CTFB conducted a community profile analyzing population characteristics and the local food system, facilitated community discussions and neighbor surveys, conducted stakeholder interviews, and held three focus groups.
The assessment found that the county has a 15.9% food insecurity rate and a 12.9% poverty rate.
8. 4 resolutions Hays County commissioners passed in support of Texas Legislature bills
The Hays County Commissioners Court approved four resolutions at its March 25 meeting in support of Senate bills filed during the 89th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature.
One resolution relates to public improvement districts, or PIDS, while the other three focus on water-related legislation.
The specifics
The Hays County Commissioners Court passed a resolution in support of Senate Bill, or SB 937, to amend a local government code regarding PIDS.
A PID is a special district created by a city or county that allows the developer of a subdivision to charge a fee in addition to property taxes, according to the Hays Caldwell Economic Development Partnership. This fee funds the construction of additional infrastructure.
9. North Hays County EMS gears up for split with San Marcos Hays County EMS company
The overview
Services by the North Hays EMS Emergency Service District No. 1 will officially start April 7. North Hays EMS Chief Bob Luddy said he doesn’t anticipate the transition will have an impact on services to residents in the area.
“None of the trucks are going to be taken out of service,” Luddy said. “Everybody is going to just continue running calls up here. Some of them will just be wearing a different uniform than what they were before.”
10. Hays County terminates automatic license plate reader contract
In a 3-2 vote, Hays County Commissioners Court officials terminated a contract with Flock Safety, a company that creates automatic license plate readers and manages vehicle data. This decision comes after several months of discussion and deliberation by the court over public concerns surrounding the company’s data privacy practices.
What happened
Two items regarding Flock Safety were on the agenda, with one proposing to purchase more equipment from the company and the other proposing to terminate the contract.
Flock was scheduled to give a presentation to the Commissioners Court at the Oct. 14 meeting, but the paperwork was not submitted on time. According to House Bill 1522, which became law on Sept. 1, local government agencies must post agendas at least three business days before a public meeting.
According to Hays County Sheriff Anthony Hipolito, the Flock Safety contract requires a 30-day notice for termination. At that time, Flock representatives are expected to deactivate and remove the equipment.
