Court authorizes emergency funding

Hays County — In response to the recent winter storm, the Hays County Commissioners Court declared an emergency use of general fund reserves for debris removal last week.

Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra issued a local disaster declaration for the county on Feb. 3 following Winter Storm Mara that occurred Jan. 30 through Feb. 2. The county experienced freezing rain and ice over a four-day period, which led to falling trees, excessive debris and power outages.

The court unanimously approved on Feb. 14 to authorize emergency funding for debris removal.

“In order for the commissioners court to budget the use of reserves after our adoption of our budget period in September, it requires the court to recognize an emergency,” commissioner Lon Shell explained. “Obviously, we had a state and county regional emergency during the last ice storm.

I thought it would be good for us to identify some funds we can use in that response right now, knowing that our response can change depending on what happens on the ground.”

Mike Jones, director of the Office of Emergency Services, initially recommended the court approve $250,000 to cover the costs that the county has now. There could be potential reimbursement from the state.

Becerra emphasized the importance of doing cleanup the right way.

“Like in the 2015 flood, I know the county received scrutiny for replanting trees in some of the areas that were private,” Becerra said. “I want to make sure that we go all the way with this cleanup because … it’s essential. The better we do in cleanup, the most complete we are in this moment, the better we will all be served as a county.”

He added that the excess buildup of debris could cause an increased threat of wildfires in the county as warmer weather comes.

Commissioner Walt Smith said that in addition to debris removal, the county should also look at the costs that the transportation department is dealing with.

“My immediate concern is clearing the trees specifically for our drainage issues. The next two months are always our flash flood season and right now, all those drainage features on our transportation and infrastructure byways [would] be completely clogged if we had those today,” Smith said. “What I hope is being calculated in there as well is the astronomical expense that our transportation department is undertaking. We have folks manning every one of these stations. We’ve got vehicles going back and forth working on this specific disaster.”

The motion was later amended to utilize funds up to $500,000.

“This motion today allows the most flexibility with this money to support our residents.

There are other pockets that are more restricted and restrictive. With this, you have the opportunity to use however the department sees most useful and fit to support a proper cleanup,” Becerra said. “The freeze, the flood and the fire. They are all in a row and we are going to deal with them one way or another. If we can work and support [to] make sure our rights-of-way are clear, even near the power lines. We are all going to benefit from this effort.”

The county recently extended the dates for the following ice storm debris drop-off locations.

• Dripping Springs Ranch Park & Event Center (DSRP) at 1042 Event Center Drive in Dripping Springs is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Feb. 26.

• Hays County Recycling and Solid Waste Facility at 1691 Carney Lane in Wimberley is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through March 1.

• Buda Sportsplex at 310 Buda Sportsplex Drive in Buda is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through March 5.

• 2001 Kai Vista in Niederwald is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through March 5.

• Old Hays County Civic Center at Civic Center Loop in San Marcos is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through March 5.