By Andy Sevilla
Kyle is the latest city along the I-35 corridor to join the Lone Star Rail District, which hopes to connect Georgetown to San Antonio along a 118-mile commuter rail line.
“Lone Star Rail District is the only group within Central Texas that has put together a plan for commuter rail; and I don’t think it’s possible to plan for Kyle’s future, particularly as we continue to grow in population, without securing alternate sources of transportation – particularly to Austin and San Antonio,” Kyle Mayor Lucy Johnson said.
The Kyle council unanimously approved May 6 to execute an interlocal agreement with the rail district; but following Austin’s example, council members only approved the agreement with zero percent funding attached, at least for now.
The agreement identified the properties that eventually could offer a funding mechanism for Kyle’s portion of the operations and maintenance costs for the rail system.
The proposed train station in Kyle is expected to be built immediately east of the Austin Community College property, and all tax revenue from new growth within a half-mile radius of that station would be split between the city and the rail district.
For now, the city would keep 100 percent of the property and sales tax revenue growth, but the rail district is pushing for 50/50 split. That could be addressed as an amendment to the interlocal agreement approved last week.
Per the mayor’s motion approving the agreement, the contract is subject to being in compliance with state law, incorporation of amendments to be agreed upon by both parties and final approval by council no later than Jan. 1, 2015.
“I’m really happy to see council willing to make progress on this, to at least preliminarily agree to the contract …” Johnson said. “I know that they will continue discussion over the next year with Lone Star Rail District, and that by putting ourselves in a position to say that we’re willing to move forward with this district … and continue negotiations and say upfront that we’re willing to preliminarily agree on a contract … I feel like that will allow us to negotiate in good faith.”
Though those ongoing negotiations may not include Johnson, as she will step down as mayor on May 31, she championed the issue until the end of her political career and saved it from being scrapped last year when the council showed no interest in joining the district.
Johnson pushed to have staff continue negotiations, ultimately persuading the entire council to agree on ongoing discussions between staff and district representatives with the goal of bringing forth a contract for approval.
After the May 6 approval, Johnson said council took a “very big step” in the right direction. “These are difficult decisions for all the cities involved.”
If the agreement stands, Kyle will begin paying $49,500 annually to the rail district beginning in fiscal year 2016, to secure its membership and a seat on the district’s board. The city also will have to maintain and operate the train station.
