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Hays 3rd in economic growth in TX
Tigers crush Cougarettes in three
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Open carry issue worries neighbors
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News-Dispatch Volume XXXIX No. 47
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
75¢
Thursday, September 5, 2019
DSISD okays land purchase for new campuses BY CAMELIA JUAREZ
Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Scott Drillette said a new elementary school and middle school are not in the works, but the land is one step closer. DSISD has been growing at a rate of 5 to 6 percent for the past several years and currently serves 7,200 students.
By a unanimous vote Aug. 24, Dripping Springs ISD leaders adopted a resolution to purchase property that is large enough to potentially house a new elementary and middle school campus. The property is located north of U.S. Highway 290 between Ranch Road 12 and Sawyer Ranch Road. Dripping Springs ISD’s Board of Trustees approved the purchase, which amounted to $1.715 million. The cost is to be paid from 2018 bond funds. Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Scott Drillette said a new elementary school and middle school are not in the works, but the land is one step facilities to accommocloser. date future student “This property will provide an option for LAND FOR CAMPUSES, 2
Giddy uuuuup!
PHOTO BY NICK MORRIS PHOTOGRAPHY
Hays prisoners heading north, despite increase Study aims for management in daily cost zone to protect water attraction
As a crowd of fellow cowpokes watch, a competitor holds on for dear life as his bucking bronco bursts out of the gate during action at the Gunnar Thames annual rodeo in Wimberley Sunday. More photos from the rodeo can be found on page 6.
BY CAMELIA JUAREZ
The transfer of prisoners from Hays County to the Travis County Jail was approved late last month, but not without concerns about the cost. By a unanimous vote, Travis County Commissioners approved Hays County’s proposal to transfer prisoners from its jail facility to help alleviate overcrowding issues. However, Travis County Commissioners asked Hays County leaders to look back over the costs, a discussion that had not occurred as of press time.
While Hays County estimated a cost of $2,000 a day for 50 inmates, Travis County estimates the cost was closer to $3,500 a day.
Travis County officials estimated the cost to keep an inmate for one day at $110. The amount is significantly more than Hays County’s proposal of $40 a day. In August, Hays County Commissioners approved an agreement between the two entities to transfer prisoners to the Travis County Jail. The additional costs extend to Travis County opening a unit with extra officers who would have to work overtime and 24 hours a day. Travis County also factored in jail operation costs such as kitchen staff, medical staff, transportation and visitation. While Hays County estimated a cost of $2,000 a day for 50 inmates, Travis County estimates the cost was closer to $3,500 a day. The cost increase didn’t faze Hays County Sheriff Gary Cutler. “We can work with the increase. I’ve got inmates in Bell County right now and we’re paying $66 there. To pay four dollars more to have inmates closer to their legal representation, we can work with that,” Cutler said.
OVERCROWDING, 4
BY CAMELIA JUAREZ A study calling for a groundwater management zone (GMZ) near Jacob’s Well in Wimberley is one way hydrologists hope to not only preserve the attraction, but also ensure there’s enough water for the area. The GMZ, proposed by the Meadows Center in San Marcos, is part of a 10-year technical report that recommended using Jacob’s Well in Wimberley as a drought trigger. According to the report, the GMZ could also be a way for entities to prevent large groundwater production permits from impacting the Middle Trinity
The goal of the study was to use science to keep Cypress Creek flowing through drought conditions, as well as to maintain the flow of Pleasant Valley Springs and the Blanco River. Aquifer, which supplies water for Jacob’s Well and thousands of property owners. These recommendations will be considered for public comment then potentially go into effect. The new Jacob’s Well Groundwater Management Zone would be 32 square miles located around and north of Jacob’s Well.
The goal of the study was to keep Cypress Creek flowing through drought conditions, as well as maintaining the flow of Pleasant Valley Springs and the Blanco River. According to the report, 80% to 85% of the spring flow of Jacob’s Well and other tourist sites is coming from the Cypress Creek watershed. Meadows Center
Fellow Douglas Wierman was heavily involved in the technical report and recommended using triggers from Jacob’s Well to set pumping level curtailments. “If we want to keep Jacob’s Well flowing, we need to use it as a drought trigger. As flow decreases, there will be percentages cutbacks recommended by Hays Trinity Groundwater Management zone,” said Wierman. Meanwhile, in August stakeholders met with Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District leaders, who oversee part of the Trinity Aquifer, to
WATER PROTECTION, 2
County proposes pay increases BY MOSES LEOS III A five percent salary increase for some elected officials is part of the Fiscal Year 2020 $274 million budget proposed by Hays County. Elected officials, excluding county commissioners and County Judge Ruben Becerra, could receive receive a five-percent raise. Hays County is also proposing a one-percent merit raise and a two-percent cost of living increase for its employees. Law enforcement officers could see a 2.25% pay increase per the voter-approved Collective Bargaining Agreement. Elected officials who stand to receive a pay bump include all Hays County Constables and
Officials are proposing an ad valorem tax rate roughly a full cent lower than the current 43.37 cents per $100 valuation.
adopted FY2019 budget. Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra is expected to make $88,506, the same amount budgeted from last fiscal year. Dorsett said part Justices of the Peace. budgeted $463,000 in of the reason for the Meanwhile, Hays FY 2020 for the courts at County Judge staff salary County plans to merge law, with County Court increases is because two the operation budgets of at Law Judge Robert Up- positions in the judge’s all three County Court degrove slated to make office were vacant for at Law offices into one $173,000, while County three months in 2018. starting in FY 2020. Court at Law No. 2 Judge Hays County Chief of Vickie Dorsett, Hays Chris Johnson and No. Staff Alex Villalobos and County first assistant 3 Judge Tacie Marie ZelAdministrative Assistant auditor, said that the hart will make $145,000 Anita Collins were sworn County Court at Law each. in in January, three judges determined it The budget also calls months after county would “be more effecfor an increase in the leaders approved the tive” to combine all three overall staff salary for the FY19 budget. court operating budgets Hays County Judge’s ofDorsett said Becerra under one department. fice. The County Judge’s got approval to hire both That decision was made office will spend roughly positions at the 25th perafter the creation of the $100,119 for staff salaries centile of their respecCounty Court at Law No. excluding the judge in tive salary ranges. 3 office in January. FY 2020, an increase Hays County has from the $66,747 in the COUNTY PAY INCREASES, 4