Brittany Kelley
BUDA — Hays County has begun hosting public meetings to share updates and receive feedback on its Road Improvements Program, centering on the roads previously slated for construction in the $440 million 2024 road bond.
The bond, titled Proposition A on the ballot, was a proposed $439,634,000 aiming to bring 35 projects over the course of 30 years to the county, including 11 in Precinct 1, eight in Precinct 2, six in Precinct 3 and 10 in Precinct 4. Despite passing, a Travis County judge deemed the bond void, as the vote to call the election violated the Texas Open Meetings Act.
Following this judgement, the Hays County Commissioners Court still felt “responsibility to plan for, build and maintain county roads, and safety is always our top priority. These projects are about improving safety for drivers, families and first responders, while also making sure our roads can keep up with the county’s growth and future needs,” said commissioner Michelle Cohen. Because of this, the commissioners opted to move forward with certificates of obligation (COs), which can be issued without voter approval.
According to the open-house materials, the court unanimously approved COs not to exceed $240 million, while the bond ruling is being appealed by the commissioners. This would include planning and design for 30 projects originally included in the bond, with eight funded for construction:
Precinct 1
• Old Bastrop Highway/ CR 266
• Cotton Gin Road/ County Road 129
• FM 2001 east Interim
• William Pettus Road/ County Road 238
• High Road/ County Road 127
• Leah Avenue
• Dairy Road
• Goforth Road
• Bunton Lane/ County Road 153
• RM 150 east preliminary design
Precinct 2
• Windy Hill interim
• Windy Hill Road ultimate
• Windy Hill Road roundabout
• Hillside Terrace
• FM 2001 gap
• Goforth Road
• RM 150 east preliminary design
Precinct 3
• Centerpoint Road
• Old Kyle Road
• Yarrington Road extensions
• Dripping Springs southwest connection
Precinct 4
• Dripping Springs southwest connection
• Darden Hill Road/ County Road 162
• Darden Hill Road extension
• Fitzhugh Road/ County Road 101
• RM 12/ RM 150 intersection safety improvements
• Sawyer Ranch Road pedestrian walkway
• Sawyer Ranch Road
• Old San Antonio Road design/construction participation with city of Buda
“The 2024 Road Bond authorized $440 million for transportation projects, while the COs only provide $240 million. If the appeal validates the Road Bond, the construction of the additional six projects that were not covered by the COs would be funded. We are moving forward with the appeal in an effort to deliver as much as possible from the original voter-approved program,” explained Cohen.
If the ruling remains the same, the commissioner stated that a 2026 bond would be in the works, which would include a project list that would continue to work on the projects already funded by the COs or new projects.
According to the open house presentation, the commissioners can move forward with issuing the COs Sept. 30, if a petition is not submitted, as state law requires a 45-day notice period, where community members can submit a petition that requires the COs go to an election, said Cohen.
The open house style meeting was first hosted by Cohen Aug. 27 in Buda and will continue with three more meetings slated from 5-7 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Price Center in San Marcos and Sept. 17 at Dripping Springs Ranch Park and Event Center and from 4-7 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Wimberley Community Center.
For more information on the open houses and the bonds, visit www.hayscoroads.com.
