Journey of deported local begins
Lady Tigers take Lions 65-35
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Volunteers rebuild family home
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News-Dispatch Volume XXXIX No. 14
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
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75¢
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Wimberley council clarifies role of mayor BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
A pair of ordinance updates meant to limit the powers of Wimberley’s mayor, while strengthening the role of the city administrator, were both approved on a split 3-2 vote Jan. 3. The move came after months of heated dispute among city council members and Mayor Susan Jaggers, which eventually led to the resignation of council member Patricia
“People do run for mayor and they generally understand the role that (the position) is. It’s a ceremonial role, the mayor runs meetings and is not the administrator, and what we do need is this clarity.” –Allison Davis, Wimberley City Council member
Kelly in December 2018. Wimberley, which was incorporated in the 1970s,
is a general law city which, according to state laws, is operated by a city adminis-
trator. However, the approved ordinance update recognizes Wimberley’s mayor as the head JAGGERS of the city for ceremonial purposes, as well as the role of overseeing city council meetings, but has no administrative duties in the city.
Becerra sworn in as Hays County Judge PHOTO BY KATIE BURRELL
Recently elected Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra addresses an overflow crowd during his swearing-in ceremony at the county courthouse in San Marcos.
County Judge Becerra discusses plans after first commissioners court meeting BY KATIE BURRELL Improving Hays County’s criminal justice system and reducing spending across various platforms are two primary issues Ruben Becerra plans to initially tackle as he begins his term as County Judge. Becerra, who claimed the Hays County Judge seat in November, presided over his first official commissioners’ court meeting Jan. 8 to a
“So far, I support what the court has done, and I want to continue to support any effort to foster and shore up additional environmental stewardship. Having access to clean water ways is important.” –Ruben Becerra, newly-sworn in Hays County Judge
full courtroom. Becerra said he hopes to have answers to efficiencies in the county’s
criminal justice system within the next two months. That includes looking into the county’s
practice of outsourcing inmates to neighboring jails due to overcrowding. Currently, the Hays County Jail is undergoing an expansion as part of a $250 million bond measure approved by voters in 2016. Of that amount, $106.4 million was earmarked for jail expansion, as well as a new law enforcement center and 911 system.
JUDGE’S PLANS, 4
Entities turn to new technology to meet water, aquifer demands BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
As urbanization and climate change are impacting aquifers across the country, officials and municipalities are turning to new technologies to meet water demands. For many entities, investing in Aquifer Storage and Recovery
(ASR) systems might be the way to go. ASR, which was first tested and experimented in the 1990s, calls for the pumping of groundwater during periods of heavy supply and storing it in another aquifer for use in times of drought or major drawdown. Kerrville and San An-
tonio were the first two major cities in the state to implement ASR. These efforts are in conjunction with the fourth National Climate Assessment (NCA), a national report from the federal government, which shows climate
AQUIFER IMPACT, 6
In previous city council meetings, Jaggers has occasionally challenged city council votes while trying to expand her administrative duties. The resulting fallout led to Kelly’s resignation, when she said she could no longer work with Jaggers. In addition, city leaders further clarified the role and powers of the city administrator. Clarifications include removing “the mayor” from
a significant portion of the ordinance’s language in regard to the city administrator’s consultation with the city council. That includes removing the mayor from adopting measures that “may be deemed necessary or expedient for the health, safety or welfare of the city and for the municipal services.” According to agenda documents, the purpose of
MAYORAL ROLE, 2
County aims to update food truck restroom regs BY EXSAR ARGUELLO Concerns are growing among local mobile food vendors as Hays County officials seek to update food truck restroom facility regulations. According to a Hays County official, the Department of Developmental Service is currently toying with the idea of requiring some sort of onsite restroom facility for food trucks who are stationary on a plot of land. The inquiry was prompted by an anonymous mobile food vendor who worried about the county’s motives on the proposition, sparking concern that the regulatory changes could be detrimental to business. “These changes are only going in regard to mobile units that are completely stationary at a location, or a food court-type setup,” said Caitlyn Strickland, interim development services director for Hays County. “For mobile food units that are truly mo-
“For mobile food units that are truly mobile, they are not going to be affected. But if you’re stationary, this will help employees and patrons have access to adequate and safe restrooms.” –Caitlyn Strickland, Interim development services director for Hays County
bile, they are not going to be affected. But if you’re stationary, this will help employees and patrons have access to adequate and safe restrooms.” Strickland said the county is not looking to trump city regulations on mobile food vendors
FOOD TRUCK REGS, 4
Wimberley to pay $200K for Black Castle termination BY EXSAR ARGUELLO A $200,000 fee is the amount the city of Wimberley will pay contractor Black Castle after terminating plans for a city-owned wastewater facility. In August 2018, the Wimberley City Council voted to terminate a contract with Black Castle for the facility, leading to six-plus months of closed-door discussions with the entity regarding the issue. According to city officials, the $200,000 termination fee is the best deal the city could have hoped to get. But the contract termination does not account for the nearly $350,000 the city had paid Black Castle to start on construction of the plant. So far, Wimberley will have spent more than $500,000 on the Black Castle contract. The city has not confirmed if the $200,000 includes site mitigation and attorney fees, which,
The contract termination does not account for the nearly $350,000 the city has paid Black Castle to start on construction of the plant. So far, Wimberley will have spent more than $500,000 on the Black Castle contract. according to some residents in close contact with the News-Dispatch, could raise the bill a little more. Council member Gary Barchfeld argued the city would save around $160,000 per year by switching away from a city-owned wastewater treatment plant to third-party wastewater
BLACK CASTLE, 6