Meetings

The Commissioners Court meets at 9 a.m. each Thursday.

• Hays County Courthouse, 111 E. San Antonio St., Ste. 300, San Marcos
• 512-393-2205
• www.co.hays.tx.us

Terms and compensation

The county judge earns $79,815, and commissioners earn $65,048–$67,000 annually. They serve four-year terms.

Live coverage

Commissioners Court meetings are streamed online at www.co.hays.tx.us/commcourtlive

Accomplishments in 2012

• Moving into the Government Center — The opening of Hays County's 232,000-square-foot Government Center consolidated many county departments that were scattered throughout downtown San Marcos, improving customer convenience and allowing the county to sell or lease its previously occupied buildings.
• Transportation plan update — Hays County undertook a countywide comprehensive update to its 10-year-old transportation plan. The update focused on working closely with local governments to ensure transportation plan coordination and gathering public input. The transportation master plan is expected to be nearing completion by late January or early February, following input from the Commissioners Court on Jan. 15.
• Health care improvements — The county partnered with Central Texas Medical Center to take advantage of a federal matching program for county-provided medical services, amounting to $1.40 in federal dollars for every $1 contributed by the county. In January, CTMC began to operate Hays County's health clinics.
• Regional water partnership — The county joined the nonprofit Coalition of Central Texas Utilities Development Corp., along with several other cities and counties in the Austin area, which will work regionally to represent the area's water concerns at the state level.

Top issues for 2013

• Road projects — Hays County officials hope to improve countywide transportation, in light of reduced federal and state funding, that will allow the county to keep up with population growth and increased transportation needs. Major road projects under way in 2013 include the widening of FM 1626, improvements to the I-35 overpass at Yarrington Road and realignment of I-35 frontage roads in Kyle.
• Determining parks priorities — Funding master plan development and improvements to parks and recreation areas, such as Jacob's Well and other sensitive sites throughout Hays County, is expected to be a Hays County priority in 2013. The county controls six parks and open spaces and is negotiating for public access to the Dahlstrom Ranch nature preserve near Buda.
• Tapping water sources — The county aims to develop and acquire infrastructure that will ensure regional water availability in the future. Making inroads in 2012, the county joined with other water providers to acquire water and wastewater facilities in western Travis and northern Hays counties.
• Maintaining county budget — County leaders want to maintain services for residents while keeping the tax rate and county budget as low as possible. The Commissioners Court adopted a fiscal year 2013 budget of approximately $174.5 million, down from the 2012 budget of nearly $244 million.