Guest Column
by MARK JONES
The growth and change in Hays County over the past decade have made this year’s redistricting process especially difficult.
The law requires that county precincts have approximately the same population. Because Precinct 2 has grown faster than the rest of the county, by law, its population will have to decrease by about 13,000.
Difficult choices will have to be made about how to redraw the county’s precinct boundaries. By law, some neighborhoods currently within Precinct 2 will have to be represented by neighboring precincts.
A county redistricting committee and another commissioner have proposed five redistricting plans, all of which I consider unacceptable for Precinct 2.
In one way or another, these maps would move the following unincorporated areas into a commissioner precinct anchored by Dripping Springs: Leisurewoods, Hays Country Oaks, Ruby Ranch, Meadow Woods, Chaparral Park, Marlboro Country, Oak Forest, Elliot Ranch, Indian Hills, Crosshouse Estates, Southern Woods and Huntington Estates.
Because these are unincorporated areas, they rely on the county and not a city government for important services like road maintenance and drainage improvements. For example, I am currently overseeing three drainage projects in unincorporated areas.
In addition, these maps would move part of FM 1626 and the entire Hays County portion of SH 45 Southwest into another precinct. The expansion of FM 1626 and construction of SH 45 are critical projects for the entire Kyle and Buda area. I am excited about the progress being made on them, and it is imperative that they remain within Precinct 2 so that I can continue to fight for them.
My redistricting priorities are clear. First, it is important that Precinct 2 retain jurisdiction over as many of the unincorporated neighborhoods as possible. Second, FM 1626 and SH 45 are critical for our community’s transportation future and must remain wholly within Precinct 2.
I have recently proposed a redistricting plan (Plan M1) that accomplishes these goals while meeting necessary legal criteria and respecting the basic integrity of our current precincts.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to draw a legal map that does not shift some areas to another precinct. I have minimized the effect of these changes by reducing the number of unincorporated areas affected by them.
Certainly, no redistricting proposal can make everyone happy, especially after a decade of major population change. However, by retaining unincorporated neighborhoods like those along FM 1626, FM 967, and Jack C. Hays Trail, and by maintaining jurisdiction over critical road projects like FM 1626 and SH 45, my proposal is the best option for the entire Kyle and Buda community.
Over the coming weeks, the Commissioners Court will hear citizen input on all of the redistricting proposals. Public hearings will take place at the county courthouse in San Marcos on Monday, July 25, at 6p.m.; Tuesday, August 9, at 1:30 p.m.; and Tuesday, August 16, at 1:30 p.m. I encourage you to make your voice heard.
If you would like to view the proposals, you may do so at my office at 111 N. Center Street in Kyle. As always, I welcome your questions and feedback on this or any other issue.
Mark Jones is Hays County Commissioner serving Precinct 2, which includes the cities of Buda, Kyle, Mountain City, Hays, Niederwald and Uhland.
