Fair Oaks Ranch celebrates completion of Fair Oaks Parkway Gateway Feature Project
The gateway feature at Fair Oaks Parkway and Leslie Pfeiffer Drive has been completed, marking a milestone in recognizing the history and image of Fair Oaks Ranch.
City officials, staff and residents celebrated the completion Sept. 26 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The project broke ground in June, following approval from City Council in April.
Over the last few years, a committee of residents and city leaders has worked to develop a project that fits the city's identity.
The original project cost was estimated at $500,000, but was reduced to half by the final design, coming in around $224,840.
Funding for the project is provided through grant funds from the Municipal Development District, which raises money through city sales tax.
Boerne City Council considers stipend change
Boerne City Council is in discussion regarding updating the stipend for the mayor and council members.
City Council discussed increasing the stipend Sept. 23, but did not decide on any change. City Manager Ben Thatcher said the agenda item will be brought back for action during an October meeting.
The stipend for mayor and city council was introduced in 1925, offering a $25 monthly incentive for elected officials. Since 1925, the stipend has been revisited, resulting in compensation changes.
In 2024, the current stipend package was adopted, increasing the salary for the mayor to $200 each month and for City Council members to $150 each month.
Mayor Frank Ritchie suggested increasing the stipend to give elected officials compensation for the time they dedicate to the community.
“I want to make sure that we are fair to the people sitting at the dais,” Ritchie said. “That they are being compensated for their time and efforts throughout their years of service.”
Flock Safety Cameras approved for Kendall County
Automatic license plate readers have made their way into municipalities across the state, with Kendall County joining the implementation of Flock Safety Cameras following grant funding on Commissioners Court approval Sept. 23.
The county received grant funding to support the installation of license plate readers, resulting in the county paying a match of around $43,000 for the $258,305 project.
Staff said if the county continues to use the cameras after this year, the potential recurring cost could be around $198,550. This cost assumes the county is not awarded additional grant funding.
Kendall County Auditor Corinna Speer said the county budgeted for the project, anticipating paying the match. From the payment, the county will receive around 58 cameras to install at identified locations.
Fair Oaks Ranch water rates remain unchanged, fees slightly increase
New water and sewer fees have been implemented in Fair Oaks Ranch as of the start of fiscal year 2025-26 on Oct. 1.
While water and sewer rates remain unchanged from the previous year, the monthly fees tied to water distributors have seen a slight increase.
The water rate for residential properties is the same as the 2024-25 per 1000-gallon rates of:
- 6,001 to 12,500: $3.81
- 12,501 to 25,000: $4.76
- 25,001 to 50,000: $7.14
- 50,001 to 75,000: $10.72
- 75,001 to 100,000: $16.07
- Over 100,000: $24.11
- 6,001 to 50,000: $3.25
- 50,001 to 100,000: $4.87
- 100,001 to 150,000: $7.31
- Over 150,000: $10.97
Fair Oaks Ranch City Council on Oct. 2 approved the first reading of Unified Development Code amendments, outlining development regulations and procedures in the city.
City Council has discussed code amendments over the last year, while staff have worked on the update for around four years. A public hearing from the Planning and Zoning Commission was held Sept. 11. City Council plans to consider the final adoption Oct. 16.
Mayor Greg Maxton recognized city staff and everyone who worked on the UDC updates, which he said will help maintain the city's identity.
“What I believe has come from this is a UDC that defines Fair Oaks Ranch aesthetics,” Maxton said.
