A possible interlocal agreement between Hays and Travis County Commissioners could lead to the creation of a balanced flood control district in Travis and Hays counties.
The agreement was crafted as a result of House Bill 2851, authored by Paul Workman (R-Austin), that, if passed, would create an Onion Creek Watershed District, which would span both Travis and Hays counties. The proposed flood control district would have a board of directors who would have powers to levy taxes and fees on residents who live in its boundaries.
But Hays County Commissioner Mark Jones said April 11 the agreement would be “unfairly balanced” as Travis County would have more representation.
Jones explained that as the bill is written right now, it doesn’t benefit the residents of Buda or Hays County, an interlocal agreement between Hays County and Travis County would accomplish the same goal of mitigating future flooding in the area.
Jones said that if both Travis and Hays counties could agree to cooperate by using an interlocal agreement, the proposed legislation HB 2851 would no longer be necessary.
“We decided that the bill at the Texas Legislature isn’t in the best interest of Buda or Hays County and we could do better with an interlocal agreement where we can collaborate with Travis County on this issue.” Hays County Commissioner Mark Jones
Hays County Commissioner Ray Whisenant said the agreement would give the county “a say in what happens in Hays County.”
According to the draft ILA, both Travis County and Hays County will prepare a report by Sept. 30 that will examine whether a “conservation and reclamation district” is needed for the Onion Creek Watershed.
Travis County Commissioners took up the proposed ILA last week, but was tabled after Pct. 2 Commissioner Brigid Shea asked for more information, according to an Austin news source.
The report will also discuss potential funding sources, geographic scope, governance, powers and duties of the district, as well as other topics of concern for the stakeholders.
While commissioners deal with their ILA, the city of Buda April 4 chose to table an item regarding a possible resolution concerning HB 2851.
Buda Mayor Todd Ruge said the agenda item was tabled after being pulled into executive session due to the possible changes that Texas Legislators can make to HB 2851.
T.J. Higgenbotham, who resides in Buda’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) said during public comment that he “opposed the city’s resolution because it’s not strong enough.”
Higgenbotham stressed to council members they should table the agenda item until they have had adequate time to consult with Hays County as well as Dripping Springs and Comal County officials.
“I strongly urge you to either table this or vote it down,” Higgenbotham said. “Tell Austin to stay out of Hays County.”
Ruge said in a later interview that even though the proposed House Bill 2851 would impact Buda, it is still in its infancy at the Capitol and is subject to many changes before it reaches a point where it could pass.
“In the legislature a bill always gets changed and modified from its original version so the agenda item was tabled until more definitive information regarding HB 2851 is available,” Ruge said.
