Open house tonight

Kyle city staff and Lone Star Rail District (LSRD) representatives will host an open house this evening for the public to learn more about the proposal to build a commuter rail station in Kyle. LSRD is asking the city to agree to create a special district around the station and use a portion of the revenue generated through property and/or sales tax in that district to fund the city’s share. The proposal is to give LSRD 50 percent of all new future property tax with a half mile of the station, as well as 50 percent of all new future sale tax in the same zone. In the original proposal, those taxes would be given to the rail zone annually for up to 80 years. Kyle would also have to pay 100 percent of the cost of maintenance and operation of the station. Austin and San Marcos are also considering similar proposals but have not made any final agreements with the rail district. The open house takes place tonight from 6-7 p.m. at the Lehman High School Cafeteria. The city council workshop begins at 7 p.m.