Hays Free Press July 31, 2019

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JULY 31, 2019 NEW LOBO

NEW HEIGHTS

New leadership to guide Lobo girls basketball.

Hays High School alumna sets the bar high at O.U.

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Hays Free Press © Barton Publications, Inc.

75¢

Vol. 124 • No. 19

HaysFreePress.com

Serving Buda, Kyle and Northeast Hays County, TX

Needmore Ranch gets more

Marshall Jennings, a hydrogeologist, former Texas State University professor and chair of the Hays County Task Force on Trinity Aquifer Sustainability, addresses the aquifer district board of directors Monday at Buda City Hall.

District OKs massive annual water production permit BY EXSAR ARGUELLO

BSEACD leaders approved Needmore Ranch LLC’s permit to pump 289 million gallons of water annually from the Trinity Aquifer.

After six hours of grueling debate Monday, Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD) leaders approved Needmore Ranch LLC’s The decision, made by permit to pump 289 million a 5-0 vote by the BSEACD gallons of water annually board of directors, gives from the Trinity Aquifer.

district. Approval included special conditions that require Needmore to cut back pumping if drawdown reaches certain trigger levels in an index well. Additionally, a separate condition would allow Needmore, a Wimberley-ar- staff to require Needmore ea entity, the largest water production permit in the NEEDMORE WATER, 7

PHOTO BY EXSAR ARGUELLO

Hybrid voting machines approved by county leaders

Kinder Morgan files suit against Kyle over pipeline law

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO

VOTING MACHINES, 6

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

There was discussion on the police headquarters during the Kyle budget meeting Saturday as Kyle City Manager Scott Sellers and city leaders discussed projects that are on the immediate horizon.

Kyle sets time to discuss funding options for police building BY KATIE BURRELL

Goals of an improved Kyle Police Department headquarters could now hinge on a possible property tax rate increase election. City leaders Saturday postponed further discussion on the matter until they determine where they might be financially and whether such a move is feasible. Kyle City Council members discussed that topic and more during

Kyle City Manager Scott Sellers said the city’s ability to take out more bonds without increasing the tax rate might go up in the next two to three years as Kyle’s value and population increase. However, Kyle won’t have any new bond capacity until Fiscal Year 2021. their July 27 budget meeting. Talks lasted four hours with the police department item tabled

after city council members instructed city staff to draft funding plans to be presented in August.

The potential tax rate increase comes as a result of Kyle nearing its bond capacity limit. The city currently has $80.5 million in debt obligations, according to a bond debt analysis study recorded in December 2018. By 2038, the city will have paid $132,903,505 in total principal and interest payments with annual installments to the final date.

KYLE BUDGET, 9

Trump proposal could end food stamp benefits for 125K Texans, expert say BY LARA KORTE, TEXAS TRIBUNE The Trump administration is proposing tightened requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – also known as food stamps – that could end food assistance for more than 3 million Americans and jeopardize assistance for thousands of Texans. The proposed rule would curb states’ abilities to set eligibility requirements for the food

The proposed rule would curb states’ abilities to set eligibility requirements for the food assistance program. While food stamps are federally funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it is currently up to states to determine eligibility and distribute aid as needed. assistance program that helps feed millions of Americans each month. It’s unclear exactly what

LEVEL UP

County Emergency Services Coordinator moves to state level.

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INDEX

Hays County’s quest for a new voting machine ended Tuesday when commissioners approved Hart Intercivic’s hybrid system, complete with a paper ballot. County commissioners July 30 approved the Hart system by a 4-1 vote with County Judge Ruben Becerra casting the lone dissenting vote. Council leaders had two vendors to choose from, the other being a machine manufactured by ES&S. Both machines received approval from the Texas Secretary of State’s office. The county’s current Direct Recording-Electronic (DRE) voting devices are serviced by Hart, but the new machines offer a paper ballot to review before it is entered into a scanner. A key component of the decision revolved around access for voters with disabilities. However, there were different opinions on the dais and from members of the audience about which system would better accommodate people with disabilities. Resident Susan Raybuck said county poll workers

the impact of the proposed changes will be in Texas, but state policy experts estimate it could

The ongoing battle over Kinder Morgan’s proposed Permian Highway Pipeline (PHP) took a turn last week when the Houston-based energy firm filed litigation against Kyle. Basis for the lawsuit, filed July 21 at the U.S. District Court in Austin, stems from Kyle’s pipeline safety ordinance that was approved by its city council in May. Among other contingencies, the new rules would require the PHP to be buried some 15 feet underground in some areas. Kinder Morgan officials argue that the ordinance is illegal, citing the National Pipeline Safety Act and state law take priority

PIPELINE LAWSUIT, 2

Kyle Police investigate attempted robbery BY EXSAR ARGUELLO

kick at least 125,000 Texans off SNAP. In June, Texas distributed $383.4 million in SNAP benefits to about 1.5 million people – an average of $260 per person. While food stamps are federally funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it’s up to states to determine eligibility and distribute aid as needed. Assistance through SNAP and other federal welfare programs is

Authorities continue to investigate an incident where a woman escaped from a robbery attempt late Friday while walking in an east Kyle subdivision. According to a press release, the incident occurred July 26 at 9:20 p.m. near Brandi Circle and Brian Lane in the Steeplechase subdivision. The victim, a woman in her early 20s, was walking on a sidewalk in the subdivision when she

NUTRITION ASSISTANCE, 6

ATTEMPTED ROBBERY, 2

News……………… 2, 12 Opinion………………… 3 Sports…………………… 4 Community………… 5-8

Business……………… 9 Service Directory…… 11 Public Notices…… 10, 12 Classifieds…………… 10


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