September 19 2018 Hays Free Press

Page 1

SEPTEMBER 19, 2018 SAFETY FIRST

C.O.P.

County residents turn out for emergency preparedness event.

Citizens On Patrol keeps on despite lack of funding.

– Page 6

– Page 2

Hays Free Press © Barton Publications, Inc.

75¢

Vol. 123 • No. 25

HaysFreePress.com

Serving Buda, Kyle and Northeast Hays County, TX

Kyle Police mourn death of officer STAFF REPORT

his staff intends to A bright personality honor the known to crack jokes and memory display a smile is the imof Solis, age many in the tight-knit while also Kyle Police community try to heal Monday remember as they a “hole in honor Officer Fernando our famSolis. ily.” SOLIS Even as the circum“We stances surrounding his have tragic death remain under many unanswered quesinvestigation, Kyle Police tions,” Barnett said in a Chief Jeff Barnett said statement. “But what we

need right now is to come together as a family to help, to listen, to heal, and to keep moving forward to serve the residents of Kyle.” Solis, 28, of Kyle, died Sept. 16 of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to a city of San Marcos press release. Officers and emergency personnel were dispatched to the Ashbury Place Apartments, located in the 1300 block of Won-

der World Drive, around 5 p.m. Sunday for a report of a man who had been shot and was dead. The victim, later identified as Solis, was found in his vehicle with an apparent self-inflicted wound, according to the release. Solis was off-duty at the time of his death. Kim Hilsenbeck, Kyle communications specialist, said the city’s hearts “are heavy today” and

that San Marcos Police informed Kyle authorities of Solis’ death. “Losing a co-worker and fellow law enforcement officer is akin to losing a family member, regardless of the circumstances,” Hilsenbeck said. She added that San Marcos Police are investigating the incident. Barnett said all Kyle Po-

KYLE OFFICER, 2

REROUTE NOW

Texas ranks high in property taxes BY EXSAR ARGUELLO

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO As the fight over Electro Purification’s proposed water permit starts to boil, representatives from the Houston-based firm Monday sought to keep Hays County out of the fray. Despite hours of deliberation, the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) is opting to wait until October to determine who will be a part of the EP permit battle. Monday’s hearing in Austin is the latest chapter in the EP saga. The water firm is seeking a permit from the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD) to pump nearly one billion gallons of groundwater per year from the Trinity Aquifer for wholesale use.

ELECTRO PURIFICATION, 4

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

Burleson construction begins

A construction worker monitors the progress of an excavator as it digs into the ground for utility placement along north Burleson Street in front of historic Kyle City Hall Monday. It has begun – work on the long proposed improvement on Burleson Street is finally underway. Even with recent rains, work crews begin the process of fixing the first part of the Burleson Street improvement from Miller to Lockhart. Work is expected to last on that portion until November.

County officials question century-old water rights law BY EXSAR ARGUELLO

As the fight over groundwater rages on, some Hays County officials are questioning the relevance of the century-old law outlining water rights, which they

believe is archaic. Rule of capture, a state law that is more than 100 years old, allows landowners the right to capture all groundwater they can obtain. Lon Shell, Hays Coun-

PROPERTY TAX PAYMENTS, 5

ty Pct. 3 Commissioner, said this system has caused problems in the past for Texas and a new form of groundwater regulation would be a more sensible solution for the county. “Doesn’t my neighbor

have the same rights as I do? There has to be a way to provide rules to protect each other’s property rights,” Shell said. “I can’t use my property rights per the

RULE OF CAPTURE, 5

COMING UP Final Annual Brent Thurman bull ride Some of the top professional bull riders will meet one last time later this month to pay tribute to a fallen cowboy and raise money for a worthy cause during the 20th annual Brent Thurman Memorial Bull Ride. The event will be held Saturday, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. at Dripping Springs Ranch Park. All proceeds go to the Marbridge Ranch. More information can be found at brentthurman.com.

Dripping Springs Pioneer Day Step back in time in Texas history at the Pound House in Dripping Springs. This event will feature Civil War re-enactments, blacksmithing demonstrations, live music, craft stations, a petting zoo, food and vendors. For more information, visit DrPoundHistoricalFarmstead.org.

MARRIOTT Two Marriott hotels proposed for Kyle.

– Page 10

Southwest writers host book signing

Literary enthusiasts are invited to a reception, book sale and signing with three acclaimed Texas authors: Elizabeth Crook, Stephen Harrigan and Ann Weisgarber. The event will be held Sunday, Sept. 23 2 to 4 p.m. at the Alkek Library. For event details and to RSVP, visit TheWittliffCollections. TXState.edu/events.

INDEX

Property tax reform has been a central issue in the state legislature in previous sessions, but a lack of progress still leaves Texans as some of the highest payers in property tax in the nation. According to a new Wallethub study, Texas ranks as the fourth highest percentage of property taxes paid to the government. Texas is one of seven states that does not have a state income tax, which leaves the Lone Star State relying heavily on property taxes to fund programs such public education and local governments. “Governments need revenue, and they collect it from different sorts of taxation,” said Jill Gonzalez, an analyst at Wallethub. “In Texas, the local government relies heavily on real estate taxes. The advantage of this type of taxation is that it is fixed in location, as opposed to income tax that can be shifted to lower tax states.” Gonzalez said the amount of property tax revenue collected gets higher as property values increase.

EP seeks pumping permit despite water concerns

5th Annual Fajita Fiesta & Cook- Off

The Buda Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to present this free event that offers something for all ages Saturday, Sept. 29 and Sunday, Sept. 30 in downtown Buda. There will be food, music and a taste of cultures. The tantalizing aroma of sizzling fajitas will fill the air, attracting people from the Rio Grande to north of the Mason Dixon Line. For more information, visit budachambertx. com/fajita-fiesta.

News………………… 1-5 Opinion……………… 3 Community………… 6-8 Obituaries……………… 7 Sports…………………… 9

Education…………… 10 Business…………… 11 Service Directory ………12 Classifieds………………13 Public Notices…………13

County supports workforce housing complex BY EXSAR ARGUELLO A lack of workforce housing options in northern Hays County is motivating local leaders to support a project that would construct more homes for lower income Kyle residents. The NRP Group, a San Antonio-based development company, is looking to develop a workforce housing project at 3800 Dacy Lane in Kyle, which would bring 324 new apartment units to the area. And at the Sept. 11 Hays County Commissioners Court meeting, county commissioners unanimously voted to approve a resolution of no objection to the project, a preliminary step before receiving approval from the city. “We want to offer a workforce housing project to an area where that doesn’t yet exist,” said Jason Arechiga, vice president of development for the NRP Group. “Who are they? These are your

WORKFORCE HOUSING, 5


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.