November 15, 2017 Hays Free Press

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NOVEMBER 15, 2017 VETS CONNECT

FIRST WIN

Rebel basketball wins season opener against KIPP Academy.

Veterans find strength through support network.

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Hays Free Press © Barton Publications, Inc.

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Vol. 121 • No. 34

HaysFreePress.com

Serving Buda, Kyle and Northeast Hays County, TX

$27.8M approved for Buda water projects BY MOSES LEOS III

Expansion of Buda’s wastewater treatment plant, along with a proposed Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) project, were part of $27.8 million in certificate of obligation (CO) bonds approved by city leaders

County looks for new options in jail contract BY KATERINA BARTON A final decision on the Guaranteed Maximum Price of Hays County’s jail expansion may not be made until after the New Year. On Nov. 7, Hays County Commissioners considered withdrawing the contract with Turner Construction Company (TCC) for its Public Safety Bond Program Phase II. By doing so, it could allow TCC to present a new GMP proposal at a later date. Commissioners have not approved or rejected the existing contract and

earlier this month. Approval of the bond sale was made to Hilltop Securities Inc., through a competitive bid process, according to a press release. The bonds were sold to Hilltop Securities with an average interest rate of 2.93 percent.

The low rates will save Buda approximately $2.5 million over the life of the 25-year bond. Hilltop Securities was one of nine banks competing for the city’s CO bonds. Buda was able to secure a low interest rate in large part to an AA bond rating through

Standard & Poor’s Rating Agency. An AA bond rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s means the city has a very strong capacity to meet its financial commitments, according to a city press release. “This is validation of the city’s efforts in

planning and financial prudence,” the release said. Ultimately, the lower interest rate means taxpayers will pay less in rates over the life of the bonds, according to the release. The bonds will be paid from utility funds, which

BY MOSES LEOS III

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

PHOTO BY JIM CULLEN

Buda residents Gary Hibner (background) and John MacLaren, both veterans of the U.S. Navy, salute the colors as the Star Spangled Banner was sung during Buda’s Veterans Day ceremony at Bradfield Park. Inset, Utah Hamilton, a 94-year-old World War II and Korean War veteran, poses for a photo during Wallace Middle School’s Veterans Day ceremony. From Buda, Kyle and all across Hays County, residents stopped on Friday and Saturday to honor and salute all veterans who served in the armed forces.

Internal weaknesses found in county offices Weaknesses in financial records within the Hays County Sheriff’s Office and two Justice of the Peace precincts are pushing county officials to make necessary changes.

Discovery of weaknesses came after an internal examination was conducted by the Hays County Auditor’s Office in October. The weaknesses were found within the Sheriff’s Office and Hays County Justice of the Peace Pct. 1, Place 1 and

Place 2 offices. In the JP’s offices, the auditor’s identified “internal control weaknesses” during a regularly scheduled review of county assets and issued recommendations to strengthen

COUNTY AUDIT RESULTS, 2A

COMING UP Holiday Remembrance Program

The holidays often are a difficult time for grieving families. That’s why Harrell Funeral Home is hosting a holiday remembrance program for the families and community members they served throughout the year. The program will be held at 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 2 at Harrell Funeral Home in Kyle and will feature Pastor Pat Kelly, music, a remembrance candle lighting and a remembrance tree. For more information about the event, contact Harrell Funeral Home at (512) 268-8200 or info@ Harrellfuneralhomes.com.

NEW CLINIC

Baylor, Scott & White breaks ground for new clinic in Kyle. – Page 1D

Among some of the weaknesses in the sheriff’s office was a deficiency in documenting in-car video assets.

Santa's Arrival in Kyle

Since 1999, Kyle has invited Santa to take part in the Tree Lighting event in downtown. On Nov. 29, join the city at City Square Park for the official Kyle kick off to the holidays. See Santa, listen to local school choirs, and enjoy a family-friendly holiday time. The event will be held from 4:30 - 9 p.m.

Budafest

INDEX

BY KATERINA BARTON

CO BONDS, 2A

More hats tossed into the ring for TX-21

Honoring veterans

JAIL EXPANSION, 2A

are funded through user fees and capital impact fees. All of the bonds issued revolved around projects that are directly tied to managing growth. One of the major projects involves a $20.3

It’s a rejuvenated Budafest this year from Nov. 30-Dec. 3. This annual Christmas celebration will celebrate its 38th year with an expanded schedule of events. On Thursday and Friday, enjoy a carnival from 4-10 p.m. at Buda City Park. On Saturday and Sunday, festivities include carnival rides, an artisan workshop, a snow slide, pictures with Mr. and Mrs. Claus and more. At 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, celebrate the season with a holiday parade with a downtown lighting ceremony. At noon on Sunday, give your pooch a chance to shine in the “Reindog” parade through downtown Buda.

News……………… 1-4A Opinion……………… 3A Sports……………… 1-2B Education………… 3-4B Community……… 1-4C

Best Bets…………… 4C Business………… 1-4D Classifieds ………... 2D Service Directory…..... 3D Public Notices…… 2-4D

Interest in an already crowded race for the open 21st Congressional District seat continues to grow after a former San Marcos city official and a current Hays County based state representative announced their candidacy last week. On Friday, State Rep. Jason Isaac (R-Dripping Springs) announced he will run as a Republican candidate for the 21st Congressional District seat currently held by Rep. Lamar Smith. One day later, former San Marcos mayor Susan Narvaiz announced she will also run on the Republican ticket for the TX-21 seat, which services an eight county area including parts of Hays County. Their decisions come roughly a week after Smith, a 16term Republican congressman, announced he was not going to run for reelection when his term ends in 2018. Isaac and Narvaiz now join a race that’s already had six Democrats and one Republican file to run. Isaac said in a letter to constituents that during his four terms in the Texas Legislature, he’s had the “honor and privilege” of participating in helping make Texas “the freest state in the nation.” Isaac said it was time to take those values and experience to Washington. “A new administration promises new home for constraining the growth of federal government, but it can’t be done without principled conservative leadership in Congress,” Isaac said in his letter. Isaac, a Dripping Springs native who was first voted to the Texas

TX-21, 4A


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