Dripping Springs ISD could be affected by development moratorium, staff says

Members of the Dripping Springs Board of Trustees asked district staff what effect the city’s temporary moratorium on development will have on future bonds during a Nov. 15 meeting.

“I don’t know that we know enough yet. I would say that in the very short term, I don’t think it’s going to have significant short-term effects,” said Clint Pruett, director of facilities and construction.

The moratorium announced by the city Nov. 10 and taking effect Nov. 18, states the city department will not accept permit applications for new developments through Nov. 27, though it could be extended to 120 days.

Pruett said because many bigger developments that have already received approvals and permits to move forward will continue on, a short moratorium will likely not affect the district. He said if it goes on longer, it could affect costs for construction and renovation.

Mary Jane Hetrick, president of the board, said construction is already very expensive in the area and the school district currently offers a lower rate of compensation for construction than other entities hiring contractors.

She said the district often has only a week to agree to a contractor’s price before the contractor can choose to change their price, while in the past the district might have received 30 days to consider a price.

“The cost of the construction and the interiors is always way more than I would have thought,” Hetrick said.