Deck the PAWS will combine holiday fun with fundraising for local animals in need, read a news release. Guests can bring their families and pets for holiday photos in front of a festive red vintage truck, professionally photographed by Carissa Hoopes Photography. A $15 donation to PAWS is requested for the photo session.

PAWS Shelter of Central Texas is a no-kill rescue based in Dripping Springs that has served Central Texas since 1986. The organization rescues and cares for vulnerable dogs and cats, while working to find them permanent, loving homes. Donations help support needs ranging from food and everyday care to vaccinations, spay and neuter procedures and other veterinary care, continued the release.

The afternoon will also feature raffle opportunities and a special “PAWloma,” with a portion of proceeds from the Dripping Springs Distillery cocktail benefiting PAWS.

As part of the event, Dripping Springs Elite will present PAWS Shelter of Central Texas with a $1,000 donation, continuing the organization’s 2026 commitment to support local nonprofits through financial contributions, volunteerism and community engagement.

“What makes Deck the PAWS so special is the generosity behind it. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone donating their time and talents to help us support PAWS, including Carissa Hoopes, who is giving families and their pets a wonderful way to capture a holiday memory, and musician Frank Iarossi, who is helping make the afternoon even more festive. It takes a community to make an event like this happen and we’re so appreciative of everyone who is stepping up to be part of it,” said Samantha LeBlanc, agent and member of the Dripping Springs Elite Charitable Giving Committee.

“Deck the PAWS is designed to be something the whole community can enjoy, while supporting an organization doing important work right here in Dripping Springs,” said LeBlanc. “Come out, get a great holiday photo, enjoy the afternoon and help us raise even more for PAWS.”

“I officially [started] Dripping Springs Clean in about 2012, I would say, and just started pulling over and picking up trash and trying to empower others to do the same,” Greenlee explained.

At first, she wanted to empower others to do what she was doing, but what she found was that there were others in the area who agreed and felt the same and were already cleaning up on their own.

“So, we formed this incredible team,” Greenlee said. “And you know why we do it? We love this town. We love it and we want to see a future of some kind of preservation of the town's core values.”

While she resides in and focuses the organization’s efforts on Dripping Springs, the founder doesn’t let that stop her from picking up trash wherever she is.

“So, while this is a local initiative, I try to empower people wherever they go in the world to make it better when they leave. Always leave no trace, but always leave it better,” she said.

To make a greater impact, Greenlee plans events one to two times a month to gather eight to 10 volunteers together in each specific cleaning area. When new members join, she makes it a point to ask what areas they want to see cleaned up and then, plan a visit in the future to do so. During these hotter summer months, the group will start early in the morning in a concentrated area and clean for approximately two hours.

Cleaning is not her only mission, though. She will often talk to local businesses or residents in the area to encourage them to clean up the area on a more frequent basis than the group is able.

One tactic she likes to suggest is  50/50 Friday.

“Go outside of your gate or your driveway or across the street — same thing — and just pick up, so that when you come home from wherever or go to work, you have a clean mind,” she explained.

In addition to roadside cleanups, she will host park cleanups when kids want to be involved, since that is a safer alternative.

While she has considered adopting a roadway through the Texas Department of Transportation’s Adopt-a-Highway Program, she chose not to, so that she wouldn’t be limited to cleaning up only a specific stretch of road.

Greenlee also recognizes the positive impacts she has personally experienced as a result of the work she does.

“When you do good things every day, good things happen to you because it's automatic. When you're a good person and you do right by the environment and Mother Nature, things just fall into place in your life,” she said.

As for the future, the founder hopes to keep the current momentum going. One goal is to become an official nonprofit organization and obtain some new sources of funding, as she is currently self-funding all of the efforts. She also wants to work with local sports fields and teams to help them make a plan to keep their facilities free of trash.

The most important thing to note, according to Greenlee, is that “This organization is not political. We absolutely agree that there are no red or blue sides to loving our Earth and teaching compassion. And keeping it beautiful and pristine for the future inhabitants.”

Dripping Springs Clean’s next event will be held from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, in downtown Dripping Springs. Those interested in joining can RSVP by responding to the event on Facebook and meeting in front of Hudson’s on Mercer at the designated time.

To keep up with future events, follow @DRIPPINGSPRINGSCLEAN on Facebook and Instagram.

For more information, visit www.drippingspringsclean.com.

This item follows the board approving the 2026-27 budget in June. The initial proposed tax rate, said Chief Financial Officer Randy Rau, was $1.1052. But after receiving the certified property values in July, along with the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) final maximum compressed rate (MCR) calculation for the district, the final tax rate is lower than expected, said Rau, at $1.0985.

Maintenance and operations (M&O), which fund’s the day-to-day operations of the district, and interest & sinking (I&S) — strictly for debt repayment — make up the two portions of the tax rate.

The M&O rate also has two components: tier one and tier two, said Rau. According to TEA, tier one, or the MCR, is $0.6102 and is adjusted based on changes in the district’s property values. Tier two is labeled enrichment and provides additional funding after tier one.

Currently, DSISD’s tier two rate is $0.1383, bringing the total M&O rate.

“When you look at the I&S rate, it’s a little bit easier to calculate the I&S rate than the M&O. Essentially, you look at the debt payments that you have in a given year, you take into consideration your property tax values that you received and there’s a calculation that you go through that helps set that rate,” explained Rau, adding that state funding is also taken into consideration and whether the district wants to use its fund balance to lessen the rate.

The new proposed tax rate of $1.0985 is both $0.0067 less than the recommended rate from June and the 2025 tax rate.

This means that the average homeowner with a house value of $562,547 would pay an estimated $6,179.58 in taxes for DSISD.

Trustee Rob McClelland stated that there are several positives to this tax rate, including a modest raise for the teachers,  support the programs they have, carry the ability to fully fund the district and the fact that it’s lower than last years.

He also noted that the rate is $0.004389 away from the no-new-revenue tax rate, which is good because “the goal of this board has been to get as close to that rate as possible. We want growth to pay for growth.”

The no-new-revenue tax rate for 2026-27 is $1.094111 and is the benchmark to produce the same amount of taxes for the same properties as the year prior, according to the Texas Comptroller.

“Yes, oceans of work went into this and it’s wonderful for taxpayers, but at the end of the day, we didn’t come close to giving teachers the raise that we wanted to, [yet] we’re still sending millions back [to the state] in recapture. So, to everybody listening, the 90th Legislative Session starts in January, but the interim charges are being formed right now,” said trustee Mary Jane Hetrick. “It seems fundamentally unfair, as it has for so many years in this district, that we send millions back to the state. And I will say that any donations to the [Dripping Springs] Ed[ucation] Foundation, the state can’t touch.”

Hetrick then motioned to set the tax rate at $1.0985 per $100 valuation for the upcoming fiscal year. It passed 7-0.

The Dripping Springs Board of Trustees will meet next Oct. 19.

The nonprofit began in 2015 as a way to connect residents within the Dripping Springs ISD boundaries who are in need with people in the community who could provide resources, said board president Lisa Little.

For example, if a family didn’t have the ability to fix a car, the organization would visit the mechanic and ask for a lower price by only charging the family the costs of the parts, rather than labor.

Springs of Hope has historically been limited to direct donations from the community or members of the nonprofit, said Little. Despite this, the organization has assisted more than 1,000 individuals and families, providing more than $1 million in financial assistance and charitable support.

One of its largest initiatives is Tiger Santa, which coordinates gifts, food, clothing, financial assistance and other resources via counselors at DSISD schools.

“Through Tiger Santa, we go directly to those counselors and ask them, ‘Who in your school do you know that is suffering? Who is having a hard time and probably is not going to be able to do much for their family over the holidays?’ They identify those families and then, they give them a form to fill out for us that lists out the family members, their ages, their sizes, things that they would like for the holidays,” explained Little.

The district then provides the information anonymously to the members of the organization to reach out to the community to find individuals or families willing to sponsor those in need. After the shopping has been completed, they come together and wrap the gifts and send them to the schools to be distributed.

The organization has also started a bimonthly advisory board with other local nonprofits to share ideas, thoughts and resources with each other.

While there is no requirement to have students who attend DSISD schools to receive assistance, one of the nonprofit’s missions is to remove barriers to education.

“We feel like if a kid's family doesn't have the money for our new pair of tennis shoes — that whole piece of going to school and having an old pair of shoes or a pair of shoes that doesn't fit anymore — that's a barrier to education,” Little said. “Going to school and being made fun of or being pointed out or just feeling uncomfortable could be a barrier. So, we're really trying to do anything we can to help these kids feel normal and feel good about themselves, so that when they get into the classroom, they're there to learn.”

The growth of the organization over the years has been slow, she said. This is partially due to the fact that the organization has no funding mechanism beyond individual donations. However, in 2025, this changed with the announcement of its first major fundraiser, a silent auction.

Following this auction, the idea for a name change came up. The reason behind it, Little explained, is that, while the organization is still a connecting point, it also does “so much more.” As the leadership looks to grow, there was a desire to make sure the logo and branding was relevant to what the nonprofit represents.

"Project Connect reflects where we began, but Springs of Hope represents who we have become," said the president. "Connecting people with resources will always be at the heart of our mission, but today, we also provide direct assistance, coordinate volunteers, build partnerships and create opportunities for our community to come together in meaningful ways. Our new name better reflects the hope that's created when neighbors help neighbors."

Now, Springs of Hope has begun its second annual Online Silent Auction, which will run from Sept. 29-Oct. 4, and raises critical funds to support year-round programs and services that benefit students, families, Dripping Springs ISD employees and neighbors throughout the community. The auction can be found at https://go.rallyup.com/springsofhope/Campaign/Details.

Those interested in keeping up with Springs of Hope can follow its Facebook or Instagram at @springsofhopeds. To learn more, volunteer, donate or become a community partner, visit www.SpringsOfHopeDS.org.

Waypoint is built around a simple idea: kids learn best when academics and the outdoors both get their due, according to a news release. The campus sits on eight acres tucked inside the 120-acre Hog Heaven Sporting Club property off of Ranch Road 12, serving students in four grade-band cohorts, each designed for where kids actually are developmentally.

Waypoint is a specialty school within the Alpha School family and shares Alpha's academic model. According to the release, the school makes three commitments to its families: kids will love school, they will learn 2X in two hours and they will learn life skills.

Through advanced technologies and mastery-based learning, Waypoint students complete core subjects in just two hours daily. The approach combines adaptive artificial intelligence for personalized 1:1 learning, mastery-based methods for deep understanding and time management techniques, like the Pomodoro method, to keep students focused and thriving.

The results show up in the data, the release continued. On average, students grow 2.6 times faster than their peers on nationally normed MAP tests, the majority consistently outperform national averages in the 99th percentile and top performers achieve up to 6.5 times growth.

That efficiency frees the rest of the day for what makes Waypoint distinct. Afternoons are devoted to life skills workshops covering resilience, grit, leadership, teamwork and communication, public speaking, financial literacy and more. Workshops take place outdoors, with students building, kayaking, hiking and working through everything from survival skills and navigation to archery and leadership exercises. In that kind of dynamic natural setting, kids build confidence, resilience and real-world skills that hold up well beyond a classroom.

At Waypoint, they believe that classrooms don't build leaders; the wild does.

Waypoint is a fit for kids who light up outside and for families who sense the lecture-based classroom is not working for their child, the release concluded.

To learn more or schedule a tour, visit https://waypointacademy.school or contact admissions@waypointacademy.school.

The approved budget anticipates $16.8 million in general fund revenues, with $16.2 million in approved general fund expenditures. Total city expenditures amount to $28,599,226.26.

Going into the discussion, the budget presentation anticipated a general fund balance forward into FY 2028 of approximately $788,557.

Prior to approval, a list of supplemental requests from various departments was considered, broken down by priority, beginning with green as the highest priority, followed by orange and red.

Top priority requests included an Archer 8-Barrier Trailer at $184,000, hiring of a maintenance coordinator at approximately $85,000, maintenance facility bay buildout at $150,000 and proposed salary and benefits for a program specialist for the Stephenson building.

While the budget already included the Stephenson program specialist for six months of the fiscal year — beginning in April 2027 — the supplemental request was to move the hiring of that position up to October.

Regarding the maintenance facility bay buildout, Mayor Bill Foulds asked maintenance director Riley Sublett to explain the department’s current working conditions.

Sublett explained that, originally, the workers operated out of the Parks facility. Following the implementation of the parks maintenance program, they moved to the Wastewater facility, but with the expansion of the wastewater project, they again moved and are now working under a shade tree in the maintenance facility yard.

“Obviously, that has its complications, especially when it comes to safety and working in weather events — cold weather, hot weather, rain, anything like that,” Sublett explained.

While the previous bond allocated money for a metal building, utilities and concrete slab, it did not include any interior finishing, such as air conditioning, interior walls or a break room for employees.

Council member Geoffrey Tahuahua questioned whether this item should be held, with the understanding that it would come back to council for a budget amendment once formal bids were received with more solidified cost estimates, which Foulds agreed with.

“I think I understand the potential rationale for waiting to include it. At the same time, if it's something that we know needs to be done, we just don't know the precise amount and the funds are available to go ahead and earmark them and then, we don't reconsider that money until we get to a point where you're bringing the actual item forward with specific amounts. To me, that's more clear as to what our intention is with those dollars, than just leaving it on a supplemental list to be considered later,” said council member Taline Mannasian. “So, I think my preference would be — if we know the money is available and we can make it work in the budget — to go ahead and put it in there, understanding that you're not going to spend it without coming back with specific items that we need to consider. I prefer to sort of set things aside if we know they need to be spent in the next year.”

Ultimately, council came to the consensus to include the item in the budget using interest accrued on bond funds that have not been spent. Additionally, the maintenance coordinator position was funded through the general fund, while the barrier trailer and Stephenson program specialist were not.

Under the orange — or medium — priority requests, council opted to use the general fund to fund the following:

• Crowd control interlocking barriers: $15,000

• Two additional portable message signs: $18,000

• Partial funding for an additional maintenance vehicle: $40,000

• Gas and maintenance for the new vehicle: $8,000

• Legal artificial intelligence support: $10,000

• Television and stand for the Stephenson building: $1,000

Additionally, they approved using hotel-occupancy tax (HOT) funds on an audio/visual system/tower maintenance contract for Dripping Springs Ranch Park (DSRP) at $35,000.

Rather than funding wayfinding signage and a storage building at DSRP, it was decided to defer to the Parks board regarding what it saw as top priorities for the parkland dedication and parkland development fund expenditures.

The lowest priority items, highlighted in red, included a recreation center feasibility study, an aquatic feasibility study, picnic tables for the baseball and softball field, scoreboards for the adult softball fields, all of which were left unfunded.

Council approved construction inspection training for a current employee at $5,000.

Following all of the additions, the general fund was left with an anticipated balance forward going into FY 28 of $605,556, while the HOT fund will have $167,842.

Council unanimously approved the budget with the presented changes.

After approval of the budget, the tax rate of $0.219217 per $100 valuation, which includes $0.046117 in debt service and $0.173100 in maintenance and operations, was approved 5-0. This rate is lower than the previous year’s rate of $0.2267 per $100 valuation.

The city’s FY will begin Oct. 1.

To listen to the full discussion, visit bit.ly/4AFErKQ.

To view the full approved budget, visit www.drippingspringstx.gov/760/Budget-Tax-Rate.

The two organizations are working through a new initiative called Hays County Pets Alive!. PAWS will continue operating under its name at both locations, with administrative, medical and operational support from APA.

Suzie Chase, community affairs officer for APA, said leaders of the two organizations began discussing a merger earlier this summer, in hopes of sustaining PAWS’ decades of work in Hays County.

Reopening the Kyle shelter is a priority, Chase said. Facility evaluations are underway and the organizations expect the campus could reopen within approximately 60 days. Adoptions and foster support would return first, with services for foster animals, including spay and neuter surgeries and medical care, added later.

The Dripping Springs campus remains open. The organizations plan to increase surgery days, medical care and the number of animals adopted there, though Chase said details have yet to be finalized.

“No positions have been eliminated and there is no plan for layoffs,” Chase said. “Daily operations and staff roles remain the same for now, with additional workers to be hired as needed at both campuses.”

After the transition, current full-time PAWS employees who join APA will be eligible for its benefits, time-off policies and wage increases, Chase said. Part-time employees will move to their pay structure by Jan. 1, with access to eligible certification and career advancement opportunities.

Expansion will depend on local support, Chase said.

“This growth doesn’t happen automatically just because APA! is involved,” she said. “It relies directly on active fundraising and community generosity to build the necessary infrastructure and sustain operations in Hays County.”

The organization plans to open a thrift store in San Marcos to generate revenue. Chase said new donations designated for PAWS operations will be restricted to that purpose.

PAWS transferred in 191 animals from San Marcos in 2025 — 75 cats and 116 dogs — at its Kyle and Dripping Springs locations, Chase said. She did not provide a projected increase in transfers, adoptions or other services under the merger.

PAWS will continue to take in some animals from the San Marcos shelter, accept some owner surrenders and strays and assist rescue groups in surrounding counties. Chase emphasized that PAWS is a nonprofit, not an open-intake shelter.

“It does not replace the animal services that city and county governments are responsible for providing,” she said.

Two PAWS board members will be invited to join the APA board, while others will serve on an advisory committee. Chase said those board members will have a role in decisions about local services and spending.

The organizations say they intend to track how many animals enter their care and leave alive through adoption, reunification with owners or transfer to another rescue. Chase said they plan to share that data with the Hays County community on the Hays County Pets Alive! website at hayscountypetsalive.org.

Founded by Dr. Tom Wolfe, PT, DPT, CSCS, a Dripping Springs native and former Dripping Springs High School football captain, Wolfe Physical Therapy has grown over the past three years from a locally-owned practice into a team of five full-time physical therapists serving Dripping Springs and the surrounding communities.

Wolfe attended elementary, middle and high school in Dripping Springs before earning his bachelor's and master's degrees in Kinesiology from Tarleton State University, where he was also a member of two Lone Star Conference championship baseball teams. He later earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and, ultimately, returned home to serve the community that helped shape him, according to a news release.

Today, Wolfe Physical Therapy's team includes doctors of physical therapy with experience ranging from newer clinicians to providers with more than 15 years in the profession. The practice specializes in orthopedic rehabilitation, sports injuries, pre- and post-surgical care, pelvic floor physical therapy and helping patients of all ages return to the activities they love. All physical therapy treatment is provided by doctors of physical therapy in a collaborative, patient-centered environment, the release said. Wolfe Physical Therapy was also named Best Physical Therapist in the Best of Dripping Springs 2026 awards.

Wolfe Physical Therapy is located at 400 W. US 290, Suite A102, Dripping Springs. Clinic hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (512) 964-1844.

DRIPPING SPRINGS — Dripping Springs High School announced the 2026 Homecoming Court, including senior nominees for this year’s King and Queen, as well as the Duke and Duchess candidates for the freshman, sophomore and junior classes, Thursday, Sept. 17.

Homecoming Week will feature several community events on Wednesday, Sept. 30, leading up to the Oct. 2 football game against Buda’s Johnson High School.

Homecoming Parade, Pep Rally & Carnival – Wednesday, Sept. 30
The Homecoming Parade will take place at 6 p.m. Wednesday around the DSHS campus. A community pep rally will follow at 7 p.m. at Tiger Stadium, where the Dukes and Duchesses will be presented. The night's festivities will conclude with a carnival at 7:30 p.m. in the G Lot, located north of Tiger Stadium.

Community members may park in any DSHS parking lot, but are encouraged to arrive before 5:50 p.m., as the campus will be closed to traffic until after the parade has concluded.

Homecoming Game – Friday, Oct. 2
The Tiger football team will host the Johnson High School Jaguars at Tiger Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The 2026 Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned at halftime.

Co-founded by Amanda Mossaro, MS, CCC-SLP, and her husband and managing partner, Michael Mossaro, Therapy Adventures has served Dripping Springs and surrounding communities since January 2022. The ceremony recognized the clinic’s continued growth and its commitment to making pediatric therapy services more accessible to local families.

 The new clinic space, located at 2440 E. US 290, Building C, Suite B in Dripping Springs, encompasses nearly 3,000 square feet and includes a welcoming reception area, seven individual treatment rooms and a large sensory gym, according to a news release. Individual treatment spaces have been thoughtfully designed to facilitate a variety of therapies with children ranging in age from birth through 18 years.

 Therapy Adventures offers speech and occupational therapy provided by a growing team of pediatric therapists. The larger location has allowed the practice to serve more families, expand its team and provide therapy in environments tailored to each child’s age, needs and goals.

 
Therapy Adventures is a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming practice that works collaboratively with families to identify goals that are meaningful to them, the release said. Its mission is to help children participate in daily life to the best of their abilities, while recognizing and building upon each child’s individual strengths.

 The clinic is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. To learn more or inquire about services, contact Therapy Adventures at (512) 759-8011 or visit www.therapy-adventures.com.

As previously reported by the News-Dispatch, changes were made in October 2025 to create a more simplified process for the public, while also maintaining the safety and aesthetics that are important to the city.

Since that time, city staff has been tasked with providing a comprehensive rewrite of the entirety of Chapter 26 (Signs) of the City of Dripping Springs Code of Ordinances. According to city attorney Aniz Alani, the goals of the rewrite include making the ordinance easier to follow for business owners and adding detailed standards to be considered for approval.

The city also engaged with local business owners and stakeholders to receive feedback on the proposed changes, some of which have been incorporated.

The new ordinance is meant to follow a six-step path and is organized in order of the steps:
•   Chapter 1: Check prohibited signs
•   Chapter 2: Confirm permit requirement
•   Chapter 3: Identify property category
•   Chapter 4: Apply universal rules
•   Chapter 5: Check overlays/master plans
•   Chapter 6: Request relief before fabrication

Additionally, the proposed ordinance includes quick reference tables, applicant checklists and design guidance.
“Appendix A is a quick reference table. You might remember from the current ordinance there is a quick reference table, but I observed it wasn't always obvious what order the rows in the table appeared in. So, we broke it up kind of by property type, so that you know where in the table to go look,” explained Alani. “Appendix B is a checklist meant to kind of walk someone through very quickly what they need to look at when they're putting together an application and Appendix E is design guidance. So, that is, they're not rules; they are essentially guidelines to articulate what the city is ideally looking for, without making them ironclad requirements, so that there's less uncertainty about whether a particular application should be approved or not.”

The ordinance will now apply “clearer, objective” guardrails to common signs:
•   Banners: 90-day continuous display cap.
•   A-frame signs: 6 square feet maximum, with a 3-foot maximum height and 5-foot accessible route. 
•   Digital displays: operational ordering, pricing and service screens are carved out from the general electronic sign ban.
•   Window information: Maximum of 5 square feet. Hours, payment methods and similar operational information do not count toward the promotional window allowance.

Application and appeals are more defined, as well. Staff has five business days to provide a decision on application completeness. Then, the ordinance provides for seven calendar days to review real estate applications and 21 calendar days to review other permit applications. Any missed deadline provides the applicant immediate access to an appeal, which must be heard by council within 30 calendar days.

This section also provides administrative variance approval for “relatively minor” deviations from the code, while major or structural variances will still be required to be approved by city council.

Some of the final changes discussed include protections for existing signs. According to the presentation, previously lawful signs will not become unlawful solely because the ordinance has been replaced. Additionally, businesses have a minimum of 15 days to cure maintenance issues, unless immediate safety action is required.

Safety will also drive regulations on person-carried signs, along with location and obstruction, as opposed to the current code, which also takes message content into account. When it comes to decorating a galvanized storage tank, purely artistic upgrades are allowable, but if the tank will be used to advertise a business, a permit will still be required.

Council member Ana Grace Husted thanked staff for working quickly to provide the rewritten ordinance. She also mentioned that she is working with staff on a click-through process on the city’s website, so that businesses are able to walk through the portions of the ordinance that are applicable to them. She also hopes that this will cut down on the time staff spends in meetings on the topic.

Following her comments, Husted motioned to repeal the current ordinance and adopt the new version. The motion was approved 4-0. Council member Taline Manassian recused herself from the discussion and vote.

To listen to the full discussion, visit bit.ly/4cQl9bh.

Rick's is a family-owned business serving Texas since 1987 and offers dry-cleaning pricing starting at $5.99 for button-up shirts, pants and blouses and $4.29 for laundry, according to a news release.

A 16-time "Best of Austin" winner, Rick's has built its reputation on quality garment care and dependable service, offering dry cleaning, laundry and wash-and-fold services to the community, continued the release. The new Dripping Springs location continues that standard, giving residents in the area a local option for their cleaning needs. Rick’s can also service commercial accounts.

Whether it’s a favorite shirt, a week’s worth of laundry or something that needs a little extra care, Rick’s is ready to make laundry day easier and cheaper for Dripping Springs, said the release.

Rick's Dry Cleaners is located at 333 E. US 290, Suite 417, Dripping Springs. To learn more, visit the new store from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m Saturday or online at www.rickscleaners.com.

The Kyle Sisters opened the evening with a selection of patriotic songs before Desert Highway, a local Eagles tribute band, took the stage. Both groups drew an enthusiastic response from the crowd, with Desert Highway filling the evening with familiar Eagles favorites.

Before the music began, Rob Parker, commander of the local VFW post, addressed the audience with remarks commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Parker remembered the nearly 3,000 people killed on 9/11 and said Patriot Day should serve not only as a remembrance of the past, but also as a reminder of the unity Americans demonstrated following the attacks.

“The greatest response to hatred is not hatred; it’s unity,” Parker told the crowd.

He also recognized veterans who served during years of conflict in Southwest Asia and North Africa, first responders who later died from illnesses connected to 9/11 and American troops and first responders who continue to serve.

“We must pass this precious inheritance of liberty unimpaired to the generations to come,” Parker said before closing with a prayer for those serving at home and abroad.

The concert was the largest fundraising event for the Friends of the Pound House Foundation, which operates and preserves the historic Pound House Farmstead Museum in Dripping Springs. Proceeds from the event will help support the foundation’s continuing preservation and operating needs.

Forty years ago, a dream and vision took root in a 1986 Dripping Springs High School graduate working for Thomas Bronson at the local Dripping Springs Texaco, read a news release. The dream was put on hold, but never left his heart.

Lifelong fourth generation Dripping Springs resident Tim Montgomery revived that dream, teaming up with son-in-law Bobby Robichaud and veteran Dewey Hartman to merge visions and bring Texas Hill Country Diesel & Automotive to fruition. Together with technician Pablo Estrella, they comprise a multidisciplinary team of seasoned ASE certified specialists, independent and backed by Federated Car Care.

The team is committed to providing quality, efficient craftmanship, while cultivating a relationship clients can rely on, continued the relase. They are dedicated to creating working relationships with other local shops and businesses in order to meet the needs of and better serve our community.

Texas Hill Country Diesel and Automotive offers diesel and automotive diagnostics, maintenance and repair, as well as upgrade solutions tailored to specific vehicles and driving needs.

For scheduling maintenance and repairs visit the business at 16299 Fitzhugh Road, Suite E in Dripping Springs.

At the council meeting Tuesday, Sept. 1, Mayor Bill Foulds explained that earlier in the week, he “was contacted by a resident with concerns over the calculation of our proposed tax rate. After receiving these concerns, the finance department, working with the comptroller, the county and subject matter experts, reviewed the 2026 tax rate workshop and confirmed information that we entered regarding the [tax increment reinvestment zone] was incorrect.”

The error, according to deputy city administrator Shawn Cox, stemmed from a legislative change that went into effect Jan. 1, 2026, related to Line 18D of the Form 50-856, which is the form used for the city’s tax rate calculation.

The specific line in question is used to report tax increment financing. The new legislation requires that the number on the form takes off the portion that the city contributes — 50% in this case, said Cox, who stated that he, instead, used the same calculation as previous years.

“Well, that is the change in calculations that I didn't pick up on. If you look at section 18D, right below it, it says, ‘Add A and B, subtract C and D.’ On the 2025 form, it says, ‘Add A, B, C, and D,’” Cox explained. “So, I was comparing what I thought was apples to apples. Instead, I was actually looking at apples to oranges.”

So, while $704 million was listed on the form, which was certified by the Hays County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office, the number should have been half of that.

After reevaluating, the finance department determined that the 2027 tax rate should be “significantly” lower than the maximum proposed tax rate of $0.2729 per $100 valuation, which council approved in August.

The current tax rate is $0.2267, while the voter-approval rate for next year is $0.219050.

The voter-approval rate is recalculated annually based on the city's tax base and other factors and is not simply an increase over the previous year's adopted tax rate.

Because the voter-approval rate is lower than the current tax rate, Cox anticipates that the city’s tax rate will decrease in the upcoming year. Specifically, the maintenance and operations portion of the rate is expected to go from $0.1850 to $0.172950, while the interest and sinking rate will go from $0.0418 to $0.0461, for a total tax rate of $0.219050. The effect on individual property tax bills will depend on taxable property values.

“So, yes, there was an error on the city's part and that is why we wanted to have this meeting to address that,” Cox said. “It was brought to our attention by a resident. I am grateful and thankful that it was because it gave us a chance to deep dive back into it, see where we made our calculation error and update that.”

This resident was Heather Oktay, who addressed council during the tax rate public hearing, alleging that the mistake was done purposefully.

“[This is] what seems to be an intentional application, based on a belief of a new interpretation of the law. However, on Aug. 18, when asked about the reasons for the tax hike, the reasons given [by city staff] did not point to a new interpretation. Instead, the reasons given were as follows: changes in assessed property values … the city's overall appraised value increased; the adjusted value used in the tax calculation actually decreased; debt was included in the calculation; [and] it was the first year the calculation incorporated the city's debt. None of those pointed to a 100% use of the $700 million. This was an over $300 million mistake,” she said. “These mistakes are material. They affect the voter-approval rate directly. They are highly questionable and I am asking council to provide full transparency because circumvention of voter election should not be tolerated.”

Although unable to answer specific questions from the dais, Foulds addressed Oktay after she spoke.

“I will speak for staff and for counsel. We are transparent. We've held these meetings. Nine [or] 10 meetings over the last four months and we do everything we can to be transparent. We made a mistake and I appreciate you noticing it and putting us and alerting us,” the mayor said.

Additionally, the deputy administrator stated that he was alerted by the county’s tax assessor-collector’s office that it will not recertify the city’s rates this year, as beginning next year, they will not be certifying forms for any outside entities. Therefore, the council will need to select a designated officer or employee (DOE) — the city treasurer or a third-party company — that can certify the values at its Sept. 15 meeting.

Although Cox recommended continuing with the scheduled tax rate and budget public hearings that night, he also proposed having hearings at the Sept. 15 meeting and adding an extra meeting on Sept. 22 for the final hearings.

“Again, not trying to bury anything ever. This was our mistake. We want to make sure that it's addressed,” said Cox.

In regard to the budget, he explained that the decrease tax rate does not necessarily affect the operating budget and expenditures for fiscal year (FY) 2027, but it does change the balance forward that would go into FY 2028, which was previously anticipated at $1.4 million and will now be at approximately $200,000. It will also limit the amount of supplemental items added to the budget.

Council member Taline Manassian and Foulds agreed that council would need to have another budget workshop to discuss supplemental items prior to setting the tax rate.

Echoing these sentiments was council member Geoffrey Tahuahua, who said, “I still think that we should seriously take a look at our budget and look at some of the places where we are increasing and go over it again with a much more fine tooth comb.”

The question posed by council member Sherrie Parks was how Cox proposed to mitigate such errors in the future, to which he responded that he recommends finding a third-party company to serve as the DOE.

In order to remain transparent, the deputy city administrator said that the certified rates — which will be labeled as “original” — will remain on the truth in taxation page on the city’s website. The revised document will also be posted there, but will remain as a draft until certified on Sept. 15.

To view the original and updated forms, visit bit.ly/4xJTrFE.

To listen to the whole discussion, visit bit.ly/4zPN6Kh.

With the help of the community, the benefit concert, located at Dripping Springs Ranch Park (DSRP), will be the largest fundraiser undertaken by the Friends of the Pound House Foundation to date.

For Jeanne Polk, president of the Friends of the Pound House Foundation, the event is about more than filling seats for an evening of music. It is part of an effort to sustain The Poundhouse Farmstead, a historic property that has faced years of disruption, restoration work and the continuing expense of preserving structures and artifacts dating to the community's earliest days.

She noted that the foundation began facing financial challenges after the COVID-19 pandemic halted many of the activities that helped keep the Pound House connected to the community.

Additionally, prior to the pandemic, the site hosted school field trips, galas and other activities. Then, a leak was discovered in the historic house, Polk said, leading to mold and restoration work and effectively keeping the house closed for about three years. The closure came at a particularly difficult time, she said, since programs and visitors disappeared, but the bills did not.

Now, the organization is working to rebuild its public presence. Polk said that the Pound House is preparing for its first school field trip since before the pandemic, an important milestone because school visits introduce not only children, but also their parents, to the property.

The concert is another part of that effort and will feature Desert Highway and The Kyle Sisters.

Desert Highway is an Eagles tribute band and has developed a following for its performances of Eagles’ music. Polk said the band is "extremely talented” and does more than reproduce the songs; its members also tell some of the story of the Eagles during their performances.

The Kyle Sisters bring another local connection to the event. Polk described the group as a longtime Dripping Springs favorite with its own following.

Although held at DSRP, it will be inside. Organizers had originally envisioned an arena concert, but shifted the event indoors, a move Polk said should create a more intimate atmosphere, while protecting concertgoers from the September heat.

The indoor venue also means seating is limited. Polk said about 500 general admission seats can be accommodated after accounting for sponsor seating.

Proceeds will go into the foundation's general fund, helping cover operating expenses, as well as supporting the continuing work necessary to maintain the historic property.

Historic preservation often requires specialized restoration rather than ordinary repairs, Polk said. One project on the foundation's list involves a historic wagon whose wheels are in serious need of replacement.

"We fix it or we lose it," she said.

A link to the 1850s

The story the foundation is working to preserve begins in the 1850s with Dr. Joseph Pound and Sarah Pound.

The couple married in 1853 and arrived in the area the following year. Joseph was from Kentucky, while Sarah was from Mississippi. After initially going farther west, they returned and acquired a 700-acre tract in what would become Dripping Springs.

They were joined in the area by Sarah's sister, Indiana, and her husband. The Pounds, Mosses and Wallaces are considered the three founding families of Dripping Springs, Polk said.

Of those early family farmsteads, the Pound property is the one that remains.

Today, the Pound House Farmstead encompasses 4.97 acres of the original 700-acre tract.

"This is literally where people can come in and see 1850s history … where they can touch it," Polk said.

At the heart of the property is a log room dating to 1854. The farmstead also includes its original smokehouse, a historic cistern and a centuries-old oak tree that stands as another living connection to the property's past.

Polk said the oak is estimated to be about 500 years old. Preserving it requires its own form of maintenance, as an arborist regularly treats and fertilizes the tree and monitors its health, particularly because oak wilt is present in the area.

Even the architecture of the house tells visitors something about how early Texas settlers adapted to their surroundings, the president added.

The house incorporates a dogtrot, or open breezeway, designed to capture moving air and provide relief from the heat. Polk said visitors from other parts of the country are often unfamiliar with the design, which was common in parts of the South.

"They're interested in just the fact that it's still here," Polk said. "It truly is quite magnificent."

The house changed over generations, as the family added and removed sections to meet its needs. A dining room and kitchen were eventually added, along with bedrooms and a parlor. However, the latter was more than another room in a family home.

Joseph was a doctor and the property served at various times as a place where he treated patients and as a gathering place for the growing community. Polk said religious services were held in the parlor for a time, as well, and the property also functioned as a hospital, schoolhouse and community meeting place, which is integral to the history of Dripping Springs.

His work as a frontier doctor provides another window into life on the property. One of his surviving ledger books records the names of patients and shows that payment did not always come in cash. Polk said the doctor sometimes bartered for chickens and other goods. He grew medicinal herbs and mixed his own tinctures, carrying medicines in small glass bottles protected by partitions in his saddlebag as he traveled through the countryside treating patients.

His job demanded considerably more than medical knowledge.

"He had to be a farmer and a rancher," Polk said. "He had to be able to fix stuff."

The farmstead's cistern offers another example of that ingenuity.

Water collected from the roof passed through a charcoal box before entering the cistern, Polk said. The filtration system has been attributed to Joseph’s scientific and medical background. The cistern was positioned, so the family could reach the water from the house, and water remains visible at the bottom today.

Furthermore, she noted that life was quite different then, as meals were cooked over fire, family members shared rooms, baths were taken in tubs outside and every day items had to be made, repaired or reused.

For Polk, those experiences are an essential part of the farmstead's purpose.

"I want kids to know this is legit," she said. "This is your history."

A direct Pound descendant, Marguerite Cavett Hammack, granddaughter of Joseph, and her daughter Georgia lived in the house until 1983, Polk said. Although electricity had eventually arrived, the historic house still did not have running water. After the family left, however, the property deteriorated.

The land had been deeded to the city and, at one point, Polk said the house eventually reached a point where it was in danger of being lost. Dr. Dennis Cannon and his wife, Katherine Cannon, whose ranch was behind the property, became involved in efforts to save it and helped establish the organization that eventually became the Friends of the Pound House Foundation.

Although efforts have been made, rapid growth presents the Pound House with a different challenge.

The years when the property was closed coincided with an influx of new residents, meaning many people arrived in Dripping Springs without ever encountering the farmstead or learning the story behind it.

For Polk, bringing schoolchildren back may be one of the best ways to change that.

"It's so important to connect with history," she said. "They can come and see what it was actually like."

This requires more than money. Polk said the foundation also needs volunteers, particularly docents who can learn the history and share it with visitors. The organization offers docent training and other opportunities for people interested in helping at the farmstead.

Polk stated that she hopes the benefit concert will provide some of the money necessary to keep history intact because at the Pound House Farmstead, preservation is not simply about protecting an old house.

It is about making sure that, as Dripping Springs continues to grow, there remains a place where people can walk through a breezeway, stand beneath a centuries-old oak, peer into a pioneer cistern and encounter something tangible from the community's beginning, she concluded.

The event begins at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at DSRP. Tickets are $25. For more information on the event or the Pound House, visit www.phfmuseum.org.

This follows Dripping Springs City Council unanimously approving water and wastewater adjustments at its Tuesday, May 19, meeting. The process to review the rates — which is the first time they have been adjusted since 2022 — began in fiscal year 2025, when the city contracted with HDR to conduct a utility rate study, as previously reported by the News-Dispatch.

Ultimately, the approved structure includes increases to both the base and usage rates, where there will be a very slight increase in the water rates and a more significant adjustment to the wastewater rates. Most residential customers can expect to see an increase of approximately $20 to $30 per month, depending on usage, while commercial users will see increases based on their level of service, with impacts varying by size and demand.

Rates will be analyzed each year, but the city anticipates additional increases each year through fiscal year 2032.

Customers can expect to see the new rates reflected on their September utility bill, which will be sent the week of Sept. 7.

More information can be found at www.drippingspringstx.gov/2026wastewaterrateadjustments.

Honey's House was built around a simple idea: know every resident the way you'd know family, read a news release. The name comes from a real person, a beloved family member whose care shaped how the owners built this home. That standard shows up in the details: a private chef preparing organic, scratch-made meals, a 1:7 caregiver ratio and open access for families at any hour, continued the release.

The home is in the process of obtaining Alzheimer's Certification through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and is designed from the ground up to support residents with individualized care needs.

The opening brings roughly 25 new jobs to the Southwest Austin community, including an executive director, a wellness director (RN), a culinary team and staff that will grow to approximately 20 team members as the community reaches full capacity.

"Honey's House was created, so we could care for people the way we want our own families cared for," said Hannah, co-owner and activity director. "Grand opening day was the moment that idea became real. Seeing families walk through and picture their loved one here — that's what we worked toward."

"What stood out yesterday was how many people said it feels like a home, not a facility," said Bill Wagenbaur, executive director. "That's the goal every day going forward. We're ready to welcome residents home."

Honey's House is currently scheduling tours for prospective residents and families. For more information, visit www.honeyshouseassistedliving.com.

Certifications were earned across a variety of career pathways, including animal science, biotechnology, business, communications, computer science, engineering, floral design, health science, transportation and welding.

Students in the health science pathway earned the most certifications at 102, including 50 Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certifications. The AWS D9.1 Sheet Metal Welding certification was the most awarded certification, with 54 students earning the credential.

Whether students plan to attend college or enter the workforce directly, these certification courses equip them with valuable technical, communication, collaboration and leadership skills, stated the district in a news release. These credentials help students build strong career portfolios and earn higher wages. They also provide foundational knowledge and skills critical for future jobs, giving students a competitive edge.

A complete list of students earning certifications can be found at www.dsisdtx.us/o/dshs/page/career-and-technical-education.

Held at Canyonwood Ridge, the sold-out celebration brought together women from all walks of life for an afternoon of music, shopping, connection, laughter, inspiration and recognition, culminating in the presentation of the first-ever WOW Awards.

The WOW Awards grew out of a simple idea: extraordinary women aren't always the ones with the biggest titles, businesses or platforms. Sometimes they're the women quietly doing the work, bringing people together, helping a neighbor, starting something new, lifting others up or simply showing what it looks like to live with courage and heart, according to a news release.

More than 85 nominations were submitted for the eight award categories. An independent panel of women from outside Dripping Springs and Texas reviewed the nominations and selected three finalists in each category based on the stories submitted.

The 2026 Women of Worth Award recipients are:

Watch Her Soar Award – Rising Star: Valerie Hemming, Salt & Light

Fearless Founder Award – Trailblazer: Michelle Lewis, Mallett & Michelle Podcast

Girl Boss Energy Award – Woman Business Owner: Meredith Kapchinski, Fortis Therapy Center

Pillar of Power Award – Leadership Legacy: Michelle Fischer, City of Dripping Springs

Ripple Effect Award – Community Impact: Nel Rossouw, The Rescue House, and Chrystal Smith, Foster Village, who tied for the honor

She Brings Us Together Award – Connector: Susan Kimball, Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce

Hometown Heroine Award – Heart of Dripping Springs: Liz Kryznesfki, Springs Family YMCA

Adorable Badass Award – Inspiration: Anne Brown, Head to Toe Dance

But the heart of WOW was never meant to be only about the women whose names were called.

“The awards are wonderful, but WOW was created around a much bigger idea: that every woman is worthy of being seen, celebrated and reminded of the difference she makes,” said WOW founder Lisa Sullivan. “There are so many women doing extraordinary things every day who may never receive an award or even realize how much they matter to someone else. I wanted to create a day that celebrated them, too.”

KXAN meteorologist Kristen Currie served as emcee for the celebration, which also featured live music by The Lockhearts, the Adorable Badass Bazaar, featuring local businesses, artists and organizations, and a surprise all-women drum circle led by Soul Shine Rhythm Experience.

The inaugural WOW Celebration was made possible through the support of local businesses and community organizations that believed in the vision of creating something specifically designed to recognize and celebrate the women of Dripping Springs.

Sullivan said the response to the first event has already sparked ideas for what comes next.

“This started as an idea for an awards luncheon and somewhere along the way, it became something much bigger,” Sullivan said. “Watching that room full of women cheering for one another was everything I hoped WOW could be. And we're just getting started.”

School districts whose local revenue exceeds the level of entitlement established by the state are required to reduce their excess local revenue under Texas Education Code (TEC) Chapters 48 and 49, according to agenda documents. This has historically been known as “recapture” or “Robin Hood,” but is now referred to as excess local revenue by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).

DSISD is required to use one or more of the statutory options to reduce excess local revenue, in which the district has chosen to pursue the purchase of attendance credits again for the 2026-27 school year.

“It’s time for this law to change,” stressed trustee Rob McClelland. “This is getting old.”

Based on the approved budget, the district’s anticipated recapture payment is between $3.5 and $4 million, according to Chief Financial Officer Randy Rau.

The district could do “a lot” with those funds if it weren’t required to send it back to the state, said McClelland. This includes increasing teacher pay at a higher scale — something that was echoed during public comments by high school educator Chelsea Owens-Ramirez.

She explained that with 10 years of experience and two degrees, she will make just above $63,000 in base pay this year. Then, in March, her take-home pay will be less than $1,000, with taking maternity leave and daycare deductions into consideration — close to 75% of her paycheck.

“In the last eight years, we have had a total of roughly 16.8% in pay raises, not including the $5,000 given by the state. Seven out of those years have included an increase in insurance premiums and a decrease in [health savings account] contributions. Inflation over the same years has increased by 27% for this area, per the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Again, 16.8% in pay increase and 27% in inflation increase,” she stated. “The median income per the Federal Census Bureau for [Dripping Springs] was between $120[,000] and $150,000 in 2024. The median house price here is $570,000 to $700,000. With current rates, that is a monthly mortgage payment of about $4,000 for this area using the bottom of that range. That's $48,000 a year for housing and would leave somebody at my pay stub with $1,250 a month for utilities, payments, food [and] gas; this is just for a single household income with no dependents.”

Owens-Ramirez continued on to cite that the National Education Association ranked Texas as 46th in percent change for keeping up with increasing teacher pay over the last two years and current dollar salaries for classroom teachers has decreased by an estimated 4.6% since 2016.

“I'm tired of emails that say the board is pleased to announce a 1% pay raise, like I should be thankful for less than the bare minimum. In a board meeting years ago, it was stated: If teachers want more than a 1% raise, we need to know that before a specific date. In what reality should we be content with 1% when inflation is higher? We are losing educators because we cannot afford to live here nor anywhere nearby on our own and we shouldn't have to rely on a second income,” she said.

DSISD is required to pay the recapture payments or else it would be subject to other options, such as being forced to consolidate with a non-Chapter 49 district. While there could be a question of if lowering the tax rate could help, Rau explained that is not the case: “Essentially, the recapture payment is on our tier two, which is the money that we voted to increase. So, the tax rate that the voters voted to help the district out is really where we're sending money back, which are copper pennies.”

“There's no other option and if we don't have copper pennies, this district cannot be fully funded and we can't pay for all the programs that we offer … Obviously, we're going to do this because there's no other option, but I think it's important as we have conversations about compensation, about all kinds of things we're doing in this district, that we are constrained heavily by this law, Chapter 49 of the Texas Education Code,” McClelland stated. “So, if we're looking for something to get behind reforming in the next legislative session, this would certainly be one of them.”

There was also a slight increase of $50 per student for the average daily attendance allotment that the district receives from the state, but DSISD does not get all of that funding, unless every student comes to school every single day, trustee Kim Cousins clarified.

“So, it's very misleading thinking that we get this basic student allotment and it's around $6,500 and … our average attendance, I believe, is 96.5. That drops it to about $5,800 or so in funding for the students in this district,” she said. “It's just getting very, very difficult to make these ends meet with the constraints that we have and what the state continues to tell us what to do.”

Board president Shanda DeLeon noted that these kinds of conversations would be good to continue with the legislative subcommittee, so the ideas can be put on paper on what the district is fighting for.

School districts have been advocating for transparency in taxation and funding for at least the last three or four legislative sessions, said trustee Olivia Barnard. However, she said that it’s going to take parents and taxpayers also talking to the legislatures to help make a difference, because $5 billion a year in the state of Texas that is collected under school district taxation “does not stay in education; it goes to the state general fund.”

The board unanimously approved an agreement for the purchase of the attendance credits, which includes the delegation of the superintendent to obligate the district under TEC Chapter 49.

A 2005 graduate of DSHS, Szkotak has served as the assistant coach for Tiger baseball for five years. During his tenure, he has helped lead the Tigers to four state playoff appearances and guided more than 30 players to collegiate baseball careers, stated a news release.

As the program’s pitching coach, Szkotak was named the 2025 Region 8 Assistant Coach of the Year by the Texas High School Coaches Association. That season, he helped lead the Tigers to their first district title as a 6A program, a then-school-record 29 wins and a berth in the state semifinals. The Tigers continued that success in 2026 with a second straight state semifinal appearance, while setting school records for wins at 32 and shutouts at 13.

During his playing career at DSHS, Szkotak was a First Team All-Centex and All-State selection as a pitcher and third baseman. He continued his playing career for McLennan Community College in Waco, before finishing at Concordia University in Austin. In 2006, he earned American Southwest Conference (ASC) Freshman of the Year accolades and went on to earn ASC All-Conference honors four times.

Following college, Szkotak played professionally for three years with the Big Bend Cowboys in Texas and the Florence Freedom in Kentucky, before transitioning to private and collegiate coaching.

Szkotak began his career in public education in 2020 as an assistant coach at Manor High School, where he helped the Mustangs record their most wins in more than 20 seasons.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Concordia University and a Master of Education from Sul Ross State University.

He replaces former head coach Chris Payne, who was promoted to assistant athletic director in July.

The request was for the approval of a zoning map amendment to rezone an approximately 0.3-acre lot located at 200 Bluff Street from an existing SF-5, single-family attached residential district garden home, within the Hays Historic District Overlay to Local Retail (LR) with the same overlay, as well as an additional Conditional Overlay, according to agenda documents.

Jennifer Killebrew and Jeremy Killebrew, owners and operators of GLOW Med Spa along Ranch Road 12 for approximately six years, are looking to relocate their business to the subject property, which would convert the existing residential land use to a health spa offering medical services.

“Part of GLOW Med Spa has become mixing the old with the new [and] 200 Bluff Street was on the market as a residential property; they could not sell it. A lot of it needs to be redone,” Jennifer said in her presentation to council. “We saw this as an opportunity to bring some revenue to the property, but also beautify it … We are in love with it. We feel like it’s going to be part of our brand, as well, and matches what we are doing.”

She added that they have put in a contract, in which they must be approved for the rezoning to close on the sale.

The property is one of the most well-known historic buildings in Dripping Springs; it was an old doctor’s house, originally built in 1883 and has some additions that were made in 1905 and in recent years, said Russell Collins of Revolve Designs.

The original concept design is to “bring back the glory” of the 1883 homestead and introduce a wellness component plus a medical spa resort location, Collins said. Goals within the master site concept would be to have the following: a pool with a terrace and small cabanas; rehabilitating the stone cistern into a salt cave; dry infrared sauna house; unisex bathrooms for changing; and more.

Moving into the staff report, senior planner Sara Varvarigos explained that the zoning update to LR with a historic overlay would allow the permitted land uses to increase from 16 to 73, but it would not allow the full list of 82 that are permitted without the overlay. The Historic Preservation Commission would need to review and approve any site plans or exterior updates through a certificate of appropriateness before permit applications.

“The LR zoning would actually increase the minimum square footage required for a legal lot size under the updated LR zoning,” Varvarigos said. “The current zoning also allows for up to 80% impervious cover on the site, whereas the LR zoning reduces the maximum impervious cover permitted by 20%.”

Staff believes that the zoning amendment would not impact the existing properties that are zoned the same or impact their ability to redevelop if they wanted to in the future, Varvarigos stated.

As far as feedback from the public, while there have been some letters of support from neighboring residents, there has been some mixed feedback with concerns about potential parking arrangements, as well as reservations about impacts of future land use that could be permitted under LR zoning.

Council member Ana Grace Husted asked what the details would be for offsite parking and if a contract would be needed with neighboring businesses, like Pig Pen BBQ, to have additional spots.

“Long-term willingness on the part of those neighboring businesses to share parking with the applicants, then that would require a long-term parking agreement. It would also require a variance, so they would have to go in front of P&Z and ultimately, city council, to get that type of variance,” Varvarigos clarified.

The senior planner explained that staff recommended that certain conditions be placed on the zoning request through the addition of a conditional overlay, which would do the following:

•   Reduce land uses permitted by right from 73 to 59

•   Increase the number of land uses requiring a conditional use permit from 12 to 15

•   Increase the number of prohibited land uses from 145 to 156

•   Prohibit any outside storage or display on the site

•   Limit hours of business operation to a schedule between 9 a.m to 7 p.m.

This also follows P&Z discussing the zoning request at its July 28 meeting, which ultimately recommended approval prior to the work that city staff did on the subsequent conditional overlay. According to chair Mim James, the commission spent “considerable time” talking about potential future rezoning in the district and the implications for preserving its character.

“Although zoning was the focus of our discussion, like we normally do, we couldn't help but get into some of the aspects of the concept plan and we did offer some suggestions to staff with regard to parking, hours of operation and those kinds of things,” he said. “But again, we tried to focus on the fact that this was a rezoning request and not a site development plan. Finally, we verified that [the] Historic Preservation Commission would be involved in reviewing the site development plan because they have to come up with a recommendation for a certificate of appropriateness and we certainly defer to their judgment on those matters in the historic districts.”

Mayor Bill Foulds pointed out that there needed to be some clearer language on the proposed use of the property, since there has been some discussion of a special event or fundraiser, as well as a spa, and that can be confusing for neighboring residents.

“I think it may be best to go back to P&Z, but it’s certainly council's pleasure. I think the concept of the spa — I don't know [and] I haven't heard really much from council — seems like that's okay. But now, when y'all open the door with ‘Well, we might want to do this and might want to do that,’ for me, of sitting up here for as long as I have, when I start hearing we might want to do it, that moves over into the ‘We're going to do this. We just don't want to admit it right now,’” Foulds said. “So, I have a great deal of concern about that because those people that have lived there and are still living there, I feel like they have a fair right to know what's going on.”

Council member Travis Crow agreed, stating that the more in-depth deliberation on the conditional overlay should have been worked out not only by staff, but also at the P&Z level.

Jennifer chimed in that she is willing to earn trust with the city and come back as long as “we have an avenue to recommend. I don't see a problem with this. We will earn the trust of the community. I'm not worried about that. If it's a matter of asking for a special event permit for something that happens every now and then, that doesn't affect us either. So, for us, we see it as a non-issue as long as we have an avenue in order to come and speak to you again if we need to expand.”

After there have been some questions that the conditional overlay recommendation did not occur until after the request went before P&Z, Varvarigos explained that up until the commission’s meeting, there had only been two letters of unanimous support from business owners.

“However, during P&Z, that's where we got additional public feedback in addition to the very good questions that were raised by the Planning and Zoning Commission. We heard from two Dripping Springs residents during that very meeting and then, also following the meeting, we received a public comment letter that was on the 31st,” the senior planner said. “So, really, that work of drafting a tool that would fine tune the original ask to make it reflective and responsive to the surrounding context and concerns of the people who care enough to share feedback. That was really staff's intention: to be responsive.”

Ultimately, council unanimously voted to refer the zoning request back to P&Z for further review at a later meeting.

Founded by Dripping Springs native Lisa Hargraves and her husband, Gary, the company is committed to delivering dependable, high-quality service, while giving back to the community they call home.

The Clean Home Crew has been honored as Best of Dripping Springs for Housekeeping in 2025 and 2026 and Best of Dripping Springs for Commercial Cleaning in 2026. As the only cleaning company that is a member of the Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce, the team is proud to support local businesses and help strengthen the community where Lisa grew up, stated a news release.

The company offers residential and commercial cleaning, Airbnb and short-term rental turnovers, post-construction cleaning, move-in and move-out cleaning, deep cleaning, recurring cleaning, power washing, junk haul-offs and light handyman and maintenance services throughout Central Texas. Clients appreciate the same trusted cleaners, fully insured service, supplies included with eco-friendly options available, upfront pricing, easy online scheduling, and same-day or last-minute availability whenever possible, the release continued.

Learn more by visiting www.TheCleanHomeCrew.com or calling/texting 512-994-5631.

The city is required to set a maximum tax rate — which will be voted on at a later date — to be levied against properties within the city limits.

The tax rate is the sum of two components. The maintenance and operations (M&O) allows for taxing units to spend property tax revenues for any lawful purpose other than debt services and the debt service, or interest and sinking (I&S), is used to pay the principal of and interest on debts or other payments required by contract to secure the debts, according to deputy city administrator Shawn Cox.

“[The] proposed rate is basically what it means for our maintenance and operation, [which] is exactly that: what it takes to maintain and operate the city,” Cox explained. “The debt service, or interest and sinking, rate is what we can assess on the properties to specifically pay off the debt that we issued.”

For fiscal year (FY) 2027, the total indebtedness to be paid by property taxes is $1,044,492.28, which includes $487,922 for Series 2024 — expected to be paid off in FY 2030 — and $556,570.28 for Series 2025, Cox said.

FY 2026 was the first time that the city of Dripping Springs included I&S into its tax rate. The comparable history of previous tax rates include the following:

•  FY 2022: $0.1900

•   FY 2023: $0.1900

•   FY 2024: $0.1778

•   FY 2025: $0.1718

•   FY 2026: $0.2267 — including $0.1850 M&O and $0.0417 I&S

According to numbers provided by the tax assessor-collector’s office, the city’s M&O rate can be around $0.22 and, with the debt service on top of that, the city could issue a total rate of $0.2729.

“It is an increase from where we are now,” the deputy city administrator said.

Every cent accounts for approximately $226,480, Cox explained; therefore, setting the proposed rate at $0.2729 would increase the revenue that the city receives from $5,134,424 with the current rate to $6,181,988.

Cox recommended setting the proposed rate at the highest number possible. While it does not mean that council has to adopt the rate when that time comes, it just can’t elect to do higher than that: “Even if we wanted to, we'd have an election that we wouldn't want to deal with, but if we published for lower and wanted to adopt higher, we would have to go with the lower rate. So, the inclusion of the higher rate in the notifications is just not to limit council in what decisions they might like to make in the future based on discussions in budgeting,” he emphasized.

Based on the proposed overall tax rate for 2027, compared to 2026, it’s just over a 20% tax increase, but 90% of that 20% is M&O, explained council member Ana Grace Husted, leaving her to question why the city’s operations have increased that much.

While the city’s appraised value went up, the adjusted value based on calculations dropped, Cox clarified. He further explained that “this was the first time they had included our debt on it, as well, because last year, we didn’t have any property tax that was [going] toward debt.”

“Those contributing factors are what helped or what allowed that voter-approval rate. All of our rates came in at around $0.27, so that’s what drove those up was the changes in our assessed values and the tax rate that we were paying our debt off of,” he said.

Council ultimately approved setting the total proposed tax rate of $0.2729 per $100 valuation, which includes $0.2268 M&O and $0.0461 I&S. However, the tax rate will still need to be officially adopted by council.

A public hearing on the tax rate is currently scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1.

From the very beginning, the business has been built on relationships. Friends, family, loyal customers, local schools, businesses and organizations believed in it long before there was a storefront, according to a news release.

“Through word of mouth, repeat customers and incredible community support, we've been able to grow into a space where creativity and personalization come together,” stated Walker. “We are deeply grateful to everyone who has helped make this dream a reality.”

Drip Swag Shop offers a unique mix of boutique gifts, local spirit wear, custom apparel, embroidery, hats, bags and personalized products. Whether shopping for game day, looking for the perfect gift or creating something custom for the family, business or team, its goal is to provide high-quality products with exceptional customer service. More than anything, the shop is geared to be a place that reflects the spirit of Dripping Springs — a community that values supporting local businesses and celebrating one another.

“We are honored to be a part of the Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce and appreciate the warm welcome from the chamber and the community during our ribbon cutting celebration. Thank you to everyone who has supported us throughout this journey,” Walker said. “We look forward to continuing to serve our neighbors, building lasting relationships and being a small part of what makes Dripping Springs such a special place to call home.”

Drip Swag Shop is located at 11601 US 290, Suite B106, Austin.

Series 2013

Series 2013 is more of a private placement debt that the city of Dripping Springs took out, utilizing Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) funds for the payoff of the Dripping Springs Ranch Park addition, explained deputy city administrator Shawn Cox.

The city is projecting Series 2013 to end fiscal year (FY) 2026 with $202,353 in revenue and $90,375 in expenditures and then, the proposed numbers for FY 2027 are $203,506 in revenue and $92,055 in expenditures.

The initial debt was for approximately $1 million and is anticipated to be paid off in September of FY 2028, Cox said.

Series 2015

The initial debt for Series 2015 — wastewater impact fees — was $7,410,000 and was paid off in June 2026: “I was very happy to pay that one off, as we were getting a third one coming up,” Cox said.

Series 2019

Series 2019 was a Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) grant for $23,500,000 — with a rate of 0.3516% — that the city is paying through impact fees.

The series is projected to end FY 2026 with $2,222,999 in revenues and $1,073,553 in expenditures. Proposed numbers for FY 2027 include $2,193,799 in revenues and $1,103,553, according to Cox’s presentation.

“It is callable in 2040, so we'll be going back through the arbitrage with that in the next few years to see if there's any savings we can have on that, but it is the first big one that we had from the water development board,” the deputy city administrator said.

Series 2022

The second large grant from TWDB was issued in 2022 for $19,895,000 and is expected to close out in September 2042. The grant’s rate is 1.8137426%.

According to the presentation, similar to 2019, the city is projected to end FY 2026 with $2,222,999 in revenues and $1,073,553 in expenditures. Proposed numbers for FY 2027 include $2,193,799 in revenues and $1,103,553.

Series 2024 and 2025

Debt service for series 2024 and 2025 are tax-funded, Cox explained.

So, for series 2024, that is for the purchase of the Pedernales Electric Cooperative building and the property located behind it. The issuance amount for the property acquisition was $2,500,000 at a 4.44% rate; the expected close out is September 2030.

“We debt-funded the back portion [and] we cash-funded the front so that we could utilize our ad valorem to pay that off,” Cox said.

Series 2025 is for the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone projects, such as the Stephenson Building and parking, Old Fitzhugh Road, maintenance facility, street improvements, etc. That is issued at $13,345,000 with a 1.8137426% rate and close out date of September 2043 and is callable in 2034.

Council will meet next at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18.

The pair are entrepreneurs and business owners in Austin, with Sarah working in events and hospitality and Dallas being a director of operations. After living in Dripping Springs for three years, they were looking for a chance to open their own company in the city when Oakwood Public Market, a venue they visited often, announced its closure at the beginning of July.

They reached out to the owners to bid on the project, won and received the keys last week, said Sarah.

“There’s a coffee shop in it that we would stop at in the morning, after we dropped the kids off at school. They had a market that we could get our essentials and buy milk and grab wine on our way home for the evening and then, there was a soda shop, [where] the kids could get ice cream and milkshakes. Then, obviously, a bar and restaurant where we frequented to let the kids run around and play and look out over the hill country,” said Dallas. “We were here all the time for multiple different reasons and that’s why it just spoke to us.”

The 10-year lease on the building will keep the structure, name and concept the same, but with added additions the new owners hope will serve as a one-stop shop for families.

Sarah explained that with Wildwood Elementary School that recently opened up in the Headwaters subdivision last year, a space for children to have fun at was needed. So, an arcade will be added to the building.

Returning to Oakwood will be a menu featuring American and Southern Tex-Mex dishes created by chef Charles Dowd, who previously ran kitchens at North Italia, Haymaker and Black Sheep Lodge, said Dallas.

“We [also] have plans in the coffee shop on Friday and Saturday night to stay open late and make it a little bit more moody and then, that offers our chef the opportunity to explore even further on what he can do with a supper club, while we make craft cocktails and do draft beer and just have a place that’s 21 and up out here because that’s kind of lacking,” he continued, adding that this can be a date night for couples in the area.

Sarah and Dallas shared that they hope families can visit together and find something for everyone — additional televisions and drinks for dad, nice wine and food for mom and an arcade for the kids.

Although the previous vendors will not be staying in Oakwood, there will be an opportunity to have feature shelves for local business owners to sell their products in the future.

There is currently not a set date for opening, Sarah said, but the coffee shop is aiming to begin services at the end of the month, with the other amenities coming in September.

“We live here in Headwaters, so we are part of the community and we really just want to make this a place where families can gather and … the community can make memories. The best part is we’re one of them, as well,” said Sarah. “We’re not these outsider people trying to run a business in a place that we don’t know and love and that’s why we want to take on this project because our roots are here and we’re not leaving anytime soon. So, we want to grow with the community.”

To learn more, visit www.exploreoakwood.com.