Tiger athletes sign letters of intent
12 Named as Citizens of the Year
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Colors as they relate to courtship
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News-Dispatch Volume XXXIX No. 9
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
page 6
75¢
Thursday, November 29, 2018
DS wastewater permit gets okay from state office BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
wastewater permit. The wastewater disAfter months of grueling charge permit would deliberation and closedauthorize the discharge of door settlements, the State up to 822,500 gallons per Office of Administrative day (GPD) of treated wasteHearings (SOAH) is recom- water into a small tributary mending to the Texas Com- of Walnut Springs, which mission on Environmental flows into Onion Creek. Quality (TCEQ) approval of “While a discharge perthe city of Dripping Springs mit is required to expand
Texans spend big for the holidays
the treatment plant, the city has always had significant plans for beneficial reuse and has been committed to that goal since day one,” according to a city statement. “In fact, it has been negotiating reuse contracts for years, separate and apart from any settlement talks. (The
city) never intended to discharge.” In July, The News-Dispatch reported that a settlement was reached between the city of Dripping Springs and affected parties in the case. Groups that entered into the settlement agreement were the Save Barton
Creek Association (SBCA), Protect our Water (POW), Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD), Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (HTGCD) and several landowners in the area. All were granted affected party status by the SOAH for a contested case
200+ at Run by the Creek
TEXANS SPEND BIG, 4
WASTEWATER PERMIT, 6
Shell wins Pct. 3 after recount BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
BY EXSAR ARGUELLO Texans are expected to spend more than double the national average during the Holiday season, credited to high incomes, low living expenses and low debt, according to a new study by the Washington D.C finance group Wallethub. According to the study, there are six Texas cities in the top 20 for Holiday spending, with consumers racking up an average budget of around $2,000. Wallethub analyzed over 500 cities across the nation for the report. Here in Hays County, the San Marcos Premium Outlets and Tanger Outlets have consistently accumulated over $1 million in sales tax revenue in the month of December alone, according to reports obtained by the City of San Marcos from 2016 to the present. “(Texas) ranked so high because of the large holiday budget potentially available for each household, which is over $2,000,” said Jill Gonzalez, an analyst at Wallethub. “This means the consumers in Texas are, in general, in a comfortable financial position, which allows them to engage in holiday spending without too much stress or fear of going over the budget.” According to the Na-
against the permit. However, the Save our Springs Alliance (SOS), which did not join the settlement, has fought the city’s permit throughout the entire administrative process. The original application
PHOTO BY ALBERT SANCHEZ
More than 200 runners took to Dripping Springs Ranch Park Nov. 10 for the annual Run by the Creek 5K and 10K run. In the 5K race, Joey Przybyla won first place overall, while Jeff Raines claimed first place in the 10K run. Above, joined by a handful of other participants, Jill Hayes (129) celebrates as she crosses the finish line Nov. 10. With one last push, runner Javier Ortega prepares to cross the finish line as he claimed 4th place overall in the Run by the Creek 5K and 10K in Dripping Springs. See more photos on page 3.
Dripping Springs prepares to update sign ordinance BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
In an effort to conform to a 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Dripping Springs leaders are working to craft a new sign ordinance in order to give additional freedoms to place noncommercial signs. Dripping Springs’ new proposed sign ordinance is meant to comply with Reed V. Town of Gilbert, a 2015 supreme court case where the court ruled in favor of a community church’s signs that advertised its worship times around town. In Dripping Springs, the Supreme Court’s decision means the city’s new ordinance will give more flexibility for non-commercial signs by bypassing administrative approval or denial by
The new sign ordinance will give more flexibility for non-commercial signs by bypassing administrative approval or denial by the Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council. Instead, the signs could potentially be approved by a sign administrator, saving time and resources.
the Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council. Instead, the signs could potentially be approved by a sign administrator, saving time and resources. The new sign ordinance will administrate restrictions and permissions based on the zoning districts or land use in the area, eliminating the potential for special
the city council,” said Michelle Fischer, Dripping Springs city administrator. “For example, signs on private streets won’t be considered a variance anymore. This will save staff time and enforcement will be easier.” The city’s ordinance change is also a case study in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which was the principal argument treatment between of Reed V. Town of signs and banners. Gilbert. The Planning & In the case, Good Zoning Commission will News Community consider taking action on Church in Gilbert, Arithe proposed ordinance zona was in violation of amendments at the Dec. the city’s sign ordinance, 17 meeting. If approved, which restricted the size, the recommendation duration and location could go before the city of signs throughout the council for a final vote. city. The church filed “Currently, every sinsuit, arguing that its First gle variance on a sign has to go through P&Z and SIGN ORDINANCE, 4
LAGNIAPPE Redbud Artisan Market
Find Texas-made items this weekend at Dripping Springs Ranch Park, Dec. 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Dec. 2, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be more than 60 artists, plus food, wine and music. Admission is $1, kids free.
Emily Ann Trail of Lights
Emily Ann Theatre in Wimberley will be hosting a Trail of Lights now through Dec. 28. The event site will be open 6 to 9 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and 6-10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Admission is free but donations are greatly appreciated.
Budafest
The annual Budafest celebration will happen Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 1 and 2. There will be a lighted holiday parade, fireworks, Reindog Parade, craft vendors, kids activities and pictures with Santa. For more information, visit www.budafest.org.
Dripping Springs Farmers Market
Come out every Wednesday to the “Best Farmers Market in the State” at the triangle located at Highway 290 and RR 12 in Dripping Springs from 3 to 6 p.m.
Despite a recent recount, results in the Hays County Pct. 3 Commissioner’s race will remain the same, according to Hays County Election officials. SHELL Incumbent Republican Lon Shell, who initially claimed the seat by a slim 37-vote margin Nov. 6, maintained his victory over Democratic challenger Jimmy Alan Hall, according to results from the Nov. 26 recount. Hall said with such a slim margin of victory for Shell, he owed it to his supporters to request a recount. Hall said he had heard reports that voters in Precinct 332, who vote for races in Pct. 3, were prompted to vote in Pct. 2, leading him to believe an error had occurred in the system. “When some people
ELECTION RECOUNT, 4
Kyle council member to join County Judge BY EXSAR ARGUELLO Days after a stunning win to secure the Hays County Judge seat, Democrat Ruben Becerra has named Kyle City Council District 4 member Alex Villalobos as his Chief of Staff. Villalobos, who was elected in 2017 to a threeyear term, will continue serving on the dais in Kyle, in addition to working at his new position. After a week of deliberation between city attorneys and county officials, the city of Kyle’s ethics ordinance does not require Villalobos to resign his position. “Furthermore, laws governing dual office holding and common law incompatibility as currently interpreted do not prevent him from serving both positions,” a statement from the city of Kyle said. “Mr. Villalobos will need to recuse himself and disclose the reason for disclosure where required by the Ethics Ordinance.” Becerra said Villalobos is a natural born servant
VILLALOBOS, 6