Fighting domestic violence
Tigers keep 6-0 record
Tigers learn business of mums
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News-Dispatch Volume XXXVIII No. 3
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
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75¢
Thursday, October 19, 2017
Wastewater rates to rise by 5 percent BY MARIA GARDNER Little discussion took place as the Dripping Springs City Council unanimously approved a 5 percent increase in the city’s wastewater rates Oct. 9. The increase, voted on by a 5-0 vote, is scheduled to go into effect immediately, Ginger Faught, deputy city administrator said in
an emailed response. Faught said Oct. 9 this is the first time Dripping Springs has proposed an increase in its wastewater rates. She said the increase applies to both residential and commercial customers. Population growth in the area has meant more wastewater usage, which then leads to increasing
operational costs, Faught said. The cost to manage the city’s wastewater is being paid partially by sales tax, she said. The increase is necessary in order to gradually move away from depending on sales tax, and to have a system fully funded by wastewater payments. While the increase will
not offset all costs, Faught expects more gradual increases over time to pay for the system. She plans to propose a higher rate for businesses next year. Under the new rate schedule, a household’s wastewater rate is calculated by averaging the water consumption in the winter months, Decem-
ber, January and February of the previous year. Faught said it offers a far more accurate measurement of how much water goes into the system compared to the summer months, where most water, used to water lawns, goes into the ground or evaporates.
WASTEWATER, 3
Growing Pains Housing development knocking on doorstep of the Pound House
PHOTO BY MARIA GARDNER
William R. Scott looks on the property near Founders Memorial Park, where he’s lived for 53 years. Scott plans to move near San Angelo at the end of May when the sale of his property is expected to be completed.
BY MARIA GARDNER A tract of land once held by one of the founding families in Dripping Springs is in the initial planning stages for development that, when complete, will significantly change the dynamic in the neighborhood. Since August, representatives of Austin-baed SEC, LLC, planning and architectural firm, has met with Dripping Springs Parks
and Recreation Commission officials to build a housing development behind the Dr. Pound Historical Farmstead and adjacent to Founders Memorial Park, said Michelle Fischer, Dripping Springs City Administrator. The tract of land, owned by William R. Scott, 84, is a seemingly open, never ending, prairie field, from the point of view of the Farmstead. Dr. Joseph Pound, who settled
in the area in the early 1850s and is considered one of the founders of Dripping Springs, originally owned the tract. The land passed through many holders before being sold to John Ireland, Scott’s father-inlaw, in 1942. His wife, Bessie Elaine Ireland Scott, grew up on the property and in 1964 they purchased the land. Scott would not disclose who
the developer is because “I haven’t gotten the money yet.” However, he said the deal is expected to close in May 2018. It was about a year ago when a broker approached him about selling his property, including the home originally built in 1883, he said. “Well, I didn’t want to sell it . . . (Their offer) was enough that
DEVELOPMENT, 6
Tigers celebrate homecoming win Dripping Springs’ band members Gab Menjiuar and Andrew Bainbridge were crowned Homecoming Queen and King during halftime ceremonies Friday night at Tiger Stadium. Read about the Tigers homecoming victory on page 4 and Dripping Springs’ homecoming spirit on page 3. See more photos from the Homecoming Parade online at HaysNewsDispatch.com. Just follow the photos link. PHOTO BY WAYLAND D. CLARK, WFOTOS.COM
LAGNIAPPE Dripping Springs Songwriters Festival
The Dripping Springs Songwriters Festival will be returning again Oct. 20-22 with another incredible roster of songwriting talent. This 4th annual event will present more than 25 free shows a day featuring a wide variety of finely-crafted songs and the people and stories behind them. On Saturday evening, Grammy-winning songwriter Lori McKenna on the South Point Auto Stage at Mercer Street Dance Hall with Angaleena Presley opening the show. The Festival takes place on 6 stages at 6 venues; Mercer Street Dance Hall, Barber Shop Bar, Acopon Brewing Co., Mazama Coffee Co, Hudson’s on Mercer and The Sidecar Tasting
Room, all within walking distance of each other in downtown Dripping Springs. You won’t want to miss a single note. www. drippingspringssongwritersfestival.com.
Tiger Theater presents ‘Much Ado’
Dripping Springs High School will present William Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” Oct. 27-30 in the DSHS Auditorium. The theater department has built an entirely new playhouse within the frame of the DSHS Auditorium stage, bringing the audience closer to the production. The show features a talented company of actors and technicians in a classic 16th Century comedy.
Curtain times on Friday, Saturday, and Monday will be 7:30 p.m.; there also will be a 2:00 p.m. show on Sunday, Oct. 29. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students and may be purchased in advance on the www.dshstheatre.com homepage or at the door.
DSMS presents Xanadu Jr.
Dripping Springs Middle School will present “Xanadu Jr.” Nov. 9-11 in the DSMS Cafeteria. “Xanadu Jr.” is a musical adventure that follows the journey of a magical and beautiful Greek Muse, Kira, who descends from the heaven of Mt. Olympus to Venice Beach,
LAGNIAPPE, 6
APPROVED CHANGES TO WASTEWATER RATES: Minimum usage charge Previous: $25 Updated: $26.25 Gallonage charge Previous: $3.50 per 1,000 gallons Updated: $3.68 per 1,000 gallons
County okays central 911 call center STAFF REPORT A centralized 911 communications center is now on the path toward reality in Hays County after county leaders approved an interlocal agreement (ILA) for it Oct. 10. Approval by Hays County Commissioners of the ILA, as well as associated bylaws, paves the way for the Combined Emergency Communications Center (CECC) and
911 DISPATCH, 2
Conley steps down to run for county judge STAFF REPORT A current Hays County commissioner announced he’s resigning in order to run for the vacant county judge position in 2018. Last Tuesday, Will Conley, Hays County Pct. 3 commissioner, CONLEY officially threw his hat into the ring for Hays County Judge. Hays County voters will select a new Hays County Judge in November 2018. According to a press release, current Hays County Judge Bert Cobb will not seek a second reelection bid. Cobb, who was first elected in 2010 and was reelected in 2014, stepped down from the position in August to begin treatment for Leukemia. Hays County Pct. 1 Commissioner Debbie
CONLEY, 2