Some of the barriers to counseling include:

• Mental health symptoms present differently in men and may not be recognized as such.

• Men prefer action-oriented problem solving, rather than emotional focus.

• Stoicism and self-reliance: traditional masculine norms equate strength by handling issues on their own.

• Vulnerability: can trigger shame, men can feel like they aren’t allowed to show this at any time and can feel they must always be strong.

• Generational violence is how they grew up; the abuse feels normal.

• Not wanting to open old wounds: if abuse happened in childhood and was not processed or reported, they fear talking about it now could cause relationship issues, especially if the abusive party is still around or outcries were not believed.

HCWC noted that the good news is that there are ways community members can help men start having important conversations around attending therapy services by:

• Providing more qualified mentors and role models for young men.

• Forming groups for and with men to help them support one another — group settings work best for men in therapy.

• Having mental health discussions with men apart from women's mental health — each is unique and should be taken seriously.

• Providing homework after sessions, men tend to want action-oriented goals.

• Having mental health conversations at home when children are still learning.

If community members suspect that someone may need help with an abusive relationship, they can call HCWC’s 24-hour HELPline at 512-396-4357 to talk to advocates and learn more about advocacy, counseling and group therapy options for survivors.

"The format of our meet-and-greets encourages voters to come and have informal conversations with the candidates," said Laurel ODonnell, president of the LWV of Hays County. "Find out the candidates' platforms, express your concerns [and] get your questions answered. Be an informed voter."

LWV held the first event in Kyle Tuesday, Oct. 6.

The remaining event schedule is as follows:

• Hays County and San Marcos Candidate Meet-and-Greet

- 6-8:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8

- San Marcos Public Library: 625 E. Hopkins St., San Marcos

- Candidates invited include those running for: County Judge; County Criminal District Attorney; Judge, 428th District Court; County Court-at-Law #2; County Commissioner, Precinct 2; San Marcos Mayor; and San Marcos City Council, Places 3, 4 and 6

• Dripping Springs Candidate Meet-and-Greet

- 6-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12

- The Hub: 4002 E. US 290 at Sunset Canyon Drive South, Dripping Springs

- Candidates invited include include those running for: County Judge; County Commissioner, Precinct 4; and the six candidates for three seats on the Hays- Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (Districts 2, 3 and 4)

• Buda Candidate Meet-and-Greet

- 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14

- Onion Creek Senior Center: 420 Barton Crossing, Buda

- Candidates expected include those running for: Buda City Council; County Commissioner, Precincts 2 and 4; and Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, Place 1

The events are free and open to the public.

According to an LWV press release, local races often shape daily life more directly than any others, from city services and local courts to roads, growth and groundwater. The meet-and-greets are a chance to hear candidates in their own words, compare their priorities and ask about the issues that matter to the individual. Voters are welcome to attend any event, including those outside their own city, to meet candidates for countywide and district races.

The League is nonpartisan, neither supporting nor opposing political candidates or political parties at any level of government. It works on vital issues of concern to its members and the public.

For more information, visit lwvhaysco.org or contact jdoyle@lwvhaysco.org.

According to Hays County administrator Kandice Bouetté, the court previously tasked the Administrator’s Office with creating a Strategic Plan, which has been in development since last year. After discussing with department heads and completing an analysis of strengths and weaknesses, five strategic pillars were created:

• Community well-being: Investments in preventive care, behavioral health support, housing stability, nutrition access and public health capacity to improve outcomes and foster a healthy community.

• Governance, workforce and organizational capacity: Build a responsible, efficient and transparent organization.

• Infrastructure and sustainable growth: Address the opportunities and challenges that accompany fast growth.

• Partnership and collaboration: Create meaningful partnerships and collaboration to address community needs.

• Criminal justice modernization: Proactive planning, strategic investments, strong partnerships and data-driven decision-making across the justice system.

Arin Gray from LJA Engineering stated that an online public engagement survey was promoted through social media, emails and news releases. Additionally, eight virtual listening sessions were held with participation from 30 communities, though overall feedback amounted to more than 2,500 responses over the course of a month.

“During the listening sessions, we asked people — as an icebreaker — what they loved about the county. It was really quite lovely,” said Gray. “It was all very similar answers: the natural beauty and environments, community spirit and culture and small-town charm with an ideal location, close to other cities.”

Gray then summarized the responses. She stated that community members believed the county should first prioritize housing stability and homelessness prevention, followed by animal services and shelter improvements, preventative healthcare and wellness programs and mental health and substance use services.

The last two could also be tied into criminal justice modernization, said the participants.

Surveys also detailed that communication and transparency, as well as operational efficiency and customer service are ways the county can increase its ability to serve residents.

“[For] infrastructure and sustainable growth, I could sum this up with one word: water. It was a big priority. ‘Which infrastructure should Hays County prioritize most?’ It was water supply and infrastructure, followed by roads and transportation, natural resource conservation and parks and open spaces,” said Gray, adding that responses stated that water conservation and protecting and expanding natural areas were also important.

Regarding partnerships, community members shared that environmental, animal welfare and housing organizations could benefit from stronger relationships with the county.

Overall, 75% of responders stated that the Strategic Plan identified priorities that the county should be focusing on.

“I know that a lot of the department heads have spent a lot of time working on developing the Strategic Plan and the pillars and doing the workshops internally to really try to capture what we want the county to look like in the future,” said commissioner Michelle Cohen. “There are some areas that we probably need to work on, but the purpose of the Strategic Plan is to tell the community, show the community, ‘Here is our vision for the county in the next three to five years.’”

While working on the budget over the past few years, continued Cohen, she felt as though there was a disconnect on the goals, so this is providing a clearer goal.

The majority of the feedback came from the big cities in the county, so her hope would be that in the future, more of the rural residents can provide feedback.

“I’ve only gotten through 49 of the 69 pages of comments, but the recurring theme first and foremost is water and water conservation. I would encourage the court to continue to address that as one of its top priorities and just the overall theme of efficiency in county government,” said commissioner Walt Smith. “I really appreciate all the work that has gone into this. We started off with a lump of coal; we started polishing it [and] it’s not a diamond yet, but it’s getting a lot better than it was.”

The plan will be updated following the community feedback and be brought back before the court at a later date.

The Hays County Commissioners Court will meet next Oct. 13.

The project will add a new academic building, focused on nursing and other high-demand health sciences programs. The expansion, part of ACC’s voter-approved 2022 general obligation bond package, is expected to accommodate more than 900 additional students.

The approximately $100 million project is intended to strengthen the pipeline of nurses, technicians, therapists, medical assistants and other health care workers needed throughout Hays County and Central Texas.

“Today is much more than a building,” said Nina Almasy, ACC associate vice chancellor for health care professions. “It is about opportunity. It is about a student being able to pursue a health care career close to home, earn a credential that leads to a family-sustaining wage and create greater economic mobility and prosperity for themselves and their families.”

Almasy said the expansion will provide students with access to health care training, without requiring them to travel outside the region.

“We are not simply adding space; we are expanding possibility,” she said.

ACC Chancellor Russell Lowery-Hart said the college has a responsibility to keep pace with the region’s rapid population growth and the workforce demands accompanying it.

“Central Texas is growing quickly and Hays County is at the heartbeat of that growth,” Lowery-Hart said. “ACC has a responsibility to keep up with that growth, to serve the community and prepare the students that are needed to make this community functional, working and growing.”

The new building will be anchored by ACC’s nursing program and is expected to include training in dental hygiene, surgical technology, radiologic technology, phlebotomy, emergency medical services, pharmacy technology, medical laboratory technology and sonography.

The project also includes a new central utility plant, parking, landscaping and other site improvements. ACC plans to seek at least LEED Silver certification for the building. The facility is expected to open for the fall 2028 semester.

ACC Board of Trustees chair Sean Hassan thanked taxpayers for approving the bond package and said the new building will help local residents prepare for careers available within their own communities.

Hassan shared the story of his mother, who worked long hours at laundromats and dry cleaners, while his family struggled financially. Their circumstances changed, he said, after she gained admission to a taxpayer-funded nursing program and began a career that provided financial security for the family.

“I am absolutely confident and so excited for the thousands of students who will come through these facilities because I am sure that this experience will be as transformative for them as the experience was for our family growing up,” Hassan said.

District 21 State Sen. Judith Zaffirini, described the groundbreaking as an investment in both students and the region’s future.

“As the population grows, so do health care needs,” Zaffirini said. “The students who will come here as we celebrate this groundbreaking will absolutely be prepared for a better future and to better care for their families.”

Zaffirini, a former community college student and instructor, said she would have a Texas flag flown over the state Capitol in honor of the new building and present it when the facility opens.

“The best part about groundbreakings is there’s a ribbon cutting to follow,” she said.

Hays County commissioner Michelle Cohen said the project represents the type of long-range planning needed as the county continues to grow.

“We must make sure that the institutions serving those people are keeping pace,” Cohen said. “That means thinking beyond what we need today and planning for what Hays County will need five, 10 and 20 years from now.”

Cohen said the region cannot expect its existing health care workforce to absorb continued population growth indefinitely.

“We must create opportunities for people in our own communities to receive the education and training necessary to enter these professions and we need those opportunities to be accessible close to home,” she said.

Hays County commissioner Walt Smith said community colleges offer opportunities to people who may not otherwise have immediate access to a four-year university. He also praised ACC for designing its facilities around the people who will use them and the communities they will serve.

“It’s not just a building; it’s the people who go through it,” Smith said. “It’s not just the classes we teach; it’s how you can improve the community.”

Dr. Tiffany Ricks, dean of ACC’s School of Nursing, said students need spaces where they can practice skills, work through real-world scenarios and collaborate across health care disciplines.

“Health care is hands-on, team-based, fast-moving and deeply human,” Ricks said.

Each additional student trained at the campus represents another professional who could eventually care for local patients, she said, whether as a nurse, dental hygienist, sonographer, radiologic technologist, surgical technologist or paramedic.

“These are more than careers,” Ricks said. “They are moments of care that touch lives, strengthen families and sustain our community.”

The Hays Campus expansion is one of several projects included in ACC’s 2022 bond program, which is funding new and expanded facilities throughout the college district.

Autumn is one of the best seasons to plant trees in Texas, said a news release, especially with cooling temperatures and wetter weather expected to take hold. Planting in the fall allows tree root systems to establish and gives them a head start to grow before winter.

Remember these tips for safety, reliability and energy savings when planting trees this fall:

•   Look up: Consider the mature size of each species and plant away from power lines to avoid contact between the two. Besides their aesthetic beauty, trees also provide shade to help cool a home and lower electric bills.

•   Don’t plant around utility boxes: Pad-mounted transformers, the green or grey metal boxes on some properties, deliver power through underground distribution wires. Planting near or around PEC’s equipment makes it more difficult, dangerous and time consuming for lineworkers to restore power. Keep this area clear for a safer environment, easier access and faster power restoration.

•   Dial 811 before digging: To determine where underground electrical lines and utility equipment is located, call Texas811 before planting. Calling before you dig is required by law and can save a life.

•   Report vegetation on power lines: If trees or branches are growing on or near our equipment, call PEC at 888-554-4732 during business hours or 24/7 through SmartHub. PEC will perform an assessment and remove encroaching vegetation safely and free of charge.

•   Shade HVAC units and keep it clean: Plant for shade around units to keep them cool and running smoothly. Also, remember to keep units clear of debris and dead leaves to help prevent fires.

•   Around the home: Plant trees on the south and west sides of a home to shade the hottest areas and save on electric bills.

“ACC has a responsibility to be good stewards of our resources. That means planning ahead and making thoughtful decisions about how we use taxpayer dollars. Through careful budget oversight, I’m proud the board has positioned ACC to manage this year’s property tax revenue without reducing programs or services,” said Sean Hassan, ACC board chair. “At a time when many Texans are facing higher costs, we’re pleased that the average ACC property tax bill will decrease, while the college continues to invest in our students and the communities we serve.”

The board approved a tax rate of $0.103643 per $100 of property valuation, including $0.09 for maintenance and operations and $0.013643 for debt service, according to a news release. Based on the adopted rate, the annual amount of taxes imposed on an average home valued at approximately $537,358 will be $557.

“Affordability is at the heart of what we do at ACC,” said ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart. “This tax rate allows us to keep investing in the people and programs our students rely on, while recognizing that every dollar matters to the people and communities we serve. We want ACC to remain a place where cost doesn’t stand in the way of opportunity.”

The slightly higher tax rate is offset by a larger decline in property values across the ACC District, resulting in an estimated 2.2% decrease in average ACC property tax bills, said the release. The decrease applies to both residential and commercial property owners. For homesteads, the average tax bill is expected to decrease by approximately 1%.

The increase in the tax rate is related to debt service for bonds issued as part of the voter-approved 2022 General Obligation Bond Referendum. ACC's maintenance and operations tax rate is capped at $0.09.

According to the release, ACC's approved tax rate continues to rank among the lowest of Texas community colleges.

Property tax exemptions remain

ACC continues to offer property tax exemptions for eligible homeowners:

• Homestead exemption: ACC provides a $5,000 homestead exemption to all residential taxpayers or 1% of the property's value, whichever is greater.

• Exemption for seniors and homeowners with disabilities: ACC provides an additional $75,000 exemption for homeowners age 65 and older and homeowners with disabilities, for a total homestead exemption of $80,000.

• Commercial property: Commercial properties are taxed at the same ACC tax rate as residential properties. Under the Texas Property Tax Code; however, commercial properties are taxed on both real and personal property, while residential properties are taxed only on real property.

Annual budget

In July, the board adopted a $583 million operating budget for FY27. Approximately 67% of ACC’s annual budget comes from property tax revenue, with additional support from tuition, fees and state funding.

The board also voted earlier this year to maintain in-district tuition rates for the 13th consecutive year.

For more information about the college’s budget and tax rate, visit bit.ly/4AVfHhR.

The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) selected the projects in June through its 2028–31 call for projects. The three awards will support work valued at approximately $24.5 million, read a news release. The funding will  cover final design for improvements being developed in coordination with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and will fund construction of a portion of the corridor in Precinct 1.

FM 2001 East Interim in Precinct 1 received $12,814,451 toward a total project cost of $21,500,000. The project previously received partial CAMPO construction funds in 2021 valued at $5,808,000. The project runs from Graef Road to southeast of SH-21 and includes a new FM 2001 alignment with one travel lane in each direction, a  median, shoulders on both sides and turn lanes at intersections, continued the release.

“People who drive FM 2001 every day know how much this part of the county has grown and they have been waiting a long time for these improvements,” said Precinct 1 commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe. “This funding allows us to advance the plans we developed with TxDOT for a safer road that will make a real difference for the families  and commuters who depend on it.”

The FM 2001 Gap projects, which run from north of Satterwhite Road to Graef Road, received two awards. The Precinct 1 portion received $1,470,976 toward a $1,838,720 total design cost and the Precinct 2 portion received $951,808 toward a $1,189,760 total design cost. The proposed project would eliminate the sharp curve at Windy Hill Road, improving safety and sight distance.

“The curve at Windy Hill Road is one of the spots our residents raise with me most often and this award moves us closer to fixing it,” said Precinct 2 commissioner Michelle Cohen. “A new alignment improves sight distance and safety and gives drivers a more consistent route through this part of the county.”

The FM 2001 awards are joined by an approximate $39 million federal award announced Aug. 14 for the Centerpoint Crossing Elimination and Safety Project, which will build an overpass over the Union Pacific Railroad  on Centerpoint Road in San Marcos, Precinct 3.

Projects include improvements: along High Road; Hillside Terrace; Dairy Road; Bunton Lane; Heidenreich Lane; Gristmill Road; Goforth Road; FM 2001; and Windy Hill Road.

The open house will provide updates on roadway projects aimed at improving safety and mobility for residents, businesses and travelers in the rapidly growing east Kyle area, according to a news release.

The open house will be held from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, at Gemstone Palace, 1101 Bunton Creek Road, Suite 200, Kyle. Community members may attend at any time to review project information, ask questions and speak directly with the project team.

“As our community continues to grow, it’s important that our transportation infrastructure reflects that,” Precinct 1 commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe said. “Road improvements in east Kyle will enhance safety and mobility while preparing the area for continued growth.”

Meeting materials and opportunities to submit comments will also be available online at www.hayscoroads.com from Oct. 1 through Oct. 16.

“We want residents to have easy access to information about these projects and the opportunity to speak directly with the people working on them,” Precinct 2 commissioner Michelle Cohen said. “The open house gives residents an opportunity to learn more about these projects, ask questions and stay informed about upcoming improvements.”

For more information about the projects, contact the Road Improvements Program Engagement Team at 512-649-0601 or hello@hayscoroads.com.

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.

SAN MARCOS — John Raymond Hatch III, former Democratic party chair and owner of Proof Liquor & Deli, was arrested and booked into the Hays County Jail Sept. 24 on warrants out of Johnson County for the sale of cigarettes and tobacco without a valid permit.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit, a state police investigator conducted a retail cigarette and tobacco products inspection at the Burleson location of Proof Liquor & Deli Aug. 26.

“During this regulatory inspection/investigation, [Sergeant Daniel Doss] observed this business retail cigarette and tobacco products permit posted for public view to be expired 05/31/2026,” read the affidavit.

Upon inquiry by the investigator, the manager on duty stated that the business had applied for a renewal permit, but had not received it yet. The officer “found this to be suspicious,” as it does not take numerous months to receive a renewal permit.

Doss contacted a Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts criminal analyst, who explained that the permit issued was suspended/not valid, due to approximately $50,089.54 in sales tax owed.

“Due to this tax liability, all permits held by Crystal Springs Beer Liquor Wine LLC/Proof Liquor & Deli were suspended and not valid, including, but not limited to, all tobacco permits,” the warrant said.

The officer seized 19 packs of cigarettes and 327 individual cigars displayed for sale in the store.

Furthermore, the affidavit alleges that Hatch confirmed he was aware of the outstanding tax liability, but did not realize his permits were suspended as a result.

Hatch was taken into custody Thursday, Sept. 24, for the following charges: 

• SELLS CIGARETTES W/OUT VALID PERMIT-A (JOHNSON CO)

• SELLS TOBACCO PRODUCTS W/OUT VALID PERMIT-A (JOHNSON CO)

He was released on a $1,000 personal recognizance bond the same day.

Hatch did not provide a comment as of the time of publication. 

Attorney disputes allegations

Charles Soechting, attorney for Hatch and Proof Liquor & Deli, provided a written statement Monday, Sept. 28, disputing portions of the arrest warrant affidavit.

Soechting said the charges are misdemeanors stemming from the display of an expired certificate and said the business had timely renewed its permit, paid the required fees and received a receipt. According to Soechting, the Comptroller's office failed to issue the renewed permit, and Hatch later received a new certificate retroactively dated to when it should have been issued. 

Soechting also disputed the affidavit's assertion that approximately $50,089.54 in sales tax was owed.

“The Agent never informed the Court that there was no arrearage on any monies owed to the State of Texas,” Soechting wrote. 

The warrant affidavit, however, states that a Texas Comptroller criminal analyst told the investigating officer that the business's permit was suspended and invalid because of approximately $50,089.54 in sales tax owed.

Soechting also disputed the characterization of Hatch as having been arrested. He said a local judge magistrated Hatch and that Hatch and Soechting then drove to the Hays County Jail, where Hatch was processed. Soechting said Hatch chose to be processed in Hays County because he lives there rather than traveling to Johnson County. 

Soechting said Hatch and his representatives are working with Johnson County officials regarding the charges.

Except as noted elsewhere, Hays County parks, natural areas and trailways remain open to the public free of charge from sunrise to sunset, according to a news release. Beginning in 2027, every park in Hays County, except Gay Ruby Dahlstrom Nature Preserve, will also be open to the public on New Year’s Day.

“We are looking forward to hosting a First Day Hike at Karst Canyon Preserve this upcoming year,” education coordinator Katherine Sturdivant said. “First Day Hikes have become increasingly popular in recent years as a great way to get outdoors and start the new year off right.”

Fees and reservations apply at select locations, including Gay Ruby Dahlstrom Nature Preserve, Jacob’s Well Natural Area swimming reservations and, following its anticipated opening in spring 2027, Sentinel Peak Preserve.

“Our parks and preserves offer residents and visitors opportunities to experience some of the most remarkable natural spaces in Hays County,” Parks and Natural Resources director Karl Flocke said. “As our park system continues to grow, these fees help us manage visitation responsibly, maintain these special places and provide a safe, high-quality experience for the public, while protecting the natural resources that make them worth visiting in the first place.”

Gay Ruby Dahlstrom Nature Preserve
Gay Ruby Dahlstrom Nature Preserve will continue to operate on a reservation system, with a maximum of 60 entry permits issued per day.

From January through October, the preserve is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, with no entry permitted after 2 p.m. From November through December, it is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, with no entry permitted after 2 p.m.

Entry fees remain unchanged from FY 2026: $5 for adults ages 13 and older and $3 for children ages 5-12, seniors 60 and older, service members and Hays County residents. Children under 5 are admitted free.

The preserve will be closed Nov. 26, Dec. 12-Jan. 6, March 21-28 and Aug. 29-Sept. 4.

Jacob’s Well Natural Area
Jacob’s Well Natural Area is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with no entry permitted after 5:30 p.m. and general entry to the natural area remains free.

Swimming is available by paid reservation only; however, all swimming is currently canceled until further notice, due to low water levels. Check the county's Parks and Natural Resources webpage for the most up-to-date information about Jacob's Well conditions and access.

When swimming resumes, reservations will be offered in two-hour blocks, with four swim blocks available per day and a maximum of 40 people per block.

Fees only apply to swimming reservations. Under the FY 2027 fee schedule, swimming will cost $12 for adults ages 13 and older and $9 for children ages 5-12, seniors 60 and older, service members and Hays County residents. There is no cost for children under 5. This represents an increase from the FY 2026 rate of $5 for paid admission categories.
Jacob’s Well Natural Area will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, and Christmas Day, Dec. 25.

Sentinel Peak Preserve
Sentinel Peak Preserve is currently closed while improvements are underway, with an anticipated opening in spring 2027. This timeline matches previously announced plans for the preserve.

Once open, Sentinel Peak will operate from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with no entry permitted after 4 p.m. and a maximum of 100 entry permits issued each day.

During peak season, April through September, admission will be $12 for adults ages 13 and older and $9 for children ages 5-12, seniors 60 and older, service members and Hays County residents. Children under 5 will be admitted free.
During the October through March off-season, admission will be $8 for adults and $6 for children ages 5-12, seniors, service members and Hays County residents. Children under 5 will remain free.

The FY 2027 fee schedule takes effect Oct. 1, 2026. Visitors are encouraged to review current hours, closures, reservation requirements and park information before visiting.

For current information about Hays County parks and natural areas, visit www.hayscountytx.gov/334/Parks-Natural-Resources.

The transition to the new system will improve the Tax Office’s long-term efficiency and operations, while providing staff with updated technology to better serve the public, read a news release.

“After more than two decades on our current system, this upgrade is an important investment in how we serve Hays County taxpayers,” tax assessor-collector Jennifer Escobar said. “While the transition will require a brief period of limited service, the new system will give our staff better tools to work efficiently and provide the level of  service our growing community expects and deserves.”

To complete the transition, the Hays County Tax Office’s property tax system are unavailable as of Sept. 21. Full property tax services are expected to resume Oct. 13.

During the transition period, the following services will be unavailable:
• Online property tax payments
• Property tax account lookups and balance information
• Payment history and tax statement requests
• Other services requiring access to property tax account records

Residents may still pay property tax by cash or check in person at any Hays County Tax Office location or using a Tax Office drop box. Payments made in person will be processed manually and taxpayers will receive a manual receipt at the time of payment.

Taxpayers who anticipate needing an account balance, payment history, tax statement or other property tax account information during the transition are encouraged to obtain those records before Sept. 21.

The Hays County Tax Office appreciates the public’s patience as staff complete the transition. The new system represents a long-term investment in modernizing Tax Office operations and improving service for Hays County taxpayers for years to come.

“It’s been a long road, but I think we’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel,” said budget officer Scot Woodland.
This would be the final reading for commissioners to make any adjustments. Ultimately, after being brought forward, both the New World ERP software upgrade and bilingual pay for civilian roles were not approved.

Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe then began the discussion for the Axon Era AI contract.

The contract consists of more than 15 items that use AI to aid the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, including translation abilities, smart capture, video search and more. Funding for the first year of the 10-year contract was approved at the Sept. 1 meeting, though community members shared their opposition to the service. Because of this, Ingalsbe began researching the issue herself.

“I specifically looked at the translation piece of this because that was the demonstration that was given in court. That’s what I thought we were looking at, is more the translation … but when I went and researched, what really concerned me was the direct court inadmissibility area section that I came to,” said Ingalsbe. “Axon openly acknowledges that its translation software is not ready for the courtroom.”

Transcripts and translation are unverified until human review takes place, she continued: “It just seems like we’re not really getting anywhere, if we’re still having to use a certified interpreter, but then, we’re adding this cost on top of that.”

Prior to budget discussion, Hays County Sheriff Anthony Hipolito, Chief Deputy Brett Bailey and First Assistant District Attorney Gregg Cox took to the podium to state that the AI contract from Axon is not similar to Flock Safety and advocate for its necessity, as body camera footage is used in criminal cases, as well as to contribute to the safety of residents. 

Bailey noted that this service was never intended for court use, as it’s mainly to communicate with the public, most of which never sees the inside of a courtroom. 

Commissioner Michelle Cohen agreed with Ingalsbe’s sentiments, as she feels as though the county needs to have a policy regarding AI prior to approving this item. 

Efficiency is the main purpose, said Cox, as the AI can act as a guide in videos, allowing for less staff to sift through them and for the officers to write better reports. Additionally, this could speed up trial cases, as it will take less time to go through evidence: “The volume of video that gets produced on cases now is enormous and without tools like this, I don’t know how we can do our jobs.”

“This is a place holder for funds to potentially look into a contract and potentially agree to these terms and conditions. I would be happy — because there’s some people in the court that want to look into things further, look into different companies and whatever that looks like — to move forward with that funding, but just putting it under software for the sheriff’s office. So, if they were able to find another company or whatever have you, we have funding there and if we never use it, we can move it into some other category,” suggested commissioner Morgan Hammer. 

She then motioned to place the funds for the Axon AI contract currently in the budget under HCSO’s software line item, amounting to approximately $97,000. The item failed 3-2, with Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra and commissioners Ingalsbe and Cohen dissenting. 

Becerra then motioned to remove the funding for the AI Axon plan and instead allocate it to two correctional officers, which, according to Hipolito, were sacrificed in order to adopt the plan. The item passed 4-1, with commissioner Walt Smith dissenting. 

After these changes, Smith motioned to approve the budget, along with changes made. The motion was approved 3-2, with Hammer and Becerra dissenting. 

During discussions of the tax rate, the court opted to cut several positions, including:
• Associate judge
• Juvenile diversion coordinator
• Justice clerk 
• Assistant auditor, payroll manager 
• Assistant Human Resources director
• Tax specialist

These cut positions, along with other items not funded, amounted to $1.3 million that would be in reserves, compared to the original $333,000. 

“If we were to keep that $333,000 in [our reserves], then the tax rate would come out to 1.0592 [cents increase]. If we were to take that $333,000 out, then it comes out to a 0.9827 [of a cent increase to the] tax rate,” said Woodland.
Currently, the tax rate is at $0.3999.

“When you think about next year, we already have $6 million accounted for that we’re going to have to figure out,” said Hammer. “I don’t support an increase period, right? But if the way to do it was to — from a tax perspective — [set] us up for success next year, it would be to put this money in the reserves currently and to maintain that reserve balance.”

Smith added that even with this increase, the average homeowner would still see a $8 decrease in their taxes paid. 
He then motioned to adopt the tax rate increase of 0.9827 cents, for a total of $0.4047, which includes pulling $333,000 from the reserves. The item passed 3-2, with Hammer and Becerra dissenting. However, after approval, Woodland stated that he “did not move over the half cent from the road and bridge [funding] when adding [the numbers], so it would actually come out to be $0.4097.”

Following this, Smith motioned this time to adopt the tax rate of $0.4097, which is “an increase of $0.9827 for fiscal year 2027” from the current tax rate. The motion passed 3-2, with Becerra and Hammer dissenting once more. 
Later in the meeting, Smith said that they had to reopen the item to vote on the tax rate again because he stated that there would be an increase of $0.9827, when “it’s an increase of $0.09827.” This time, it passed 3-2, with Becerra and Hammer dissenting. 

Although approved by the court, the increase from the previous year’s rate is actually $0.009827. 
The final vote to approve an order to set the tax rate for fiscal year 2027 at $0.4097 per $100 valuation passed 3-2, with Becerra and Hammer dissenting. 

To listen to the full discussion, visit bit.ly/4Ak0hTN. 

The event was organized with participation from the Hays County, San Marcos, Kyle and Buda law enforcement associations and drew a packed crowd in the Wimberley Community Center at the start of the evening, with candidates representing races in Buda, San Marcos, Kyle, Hays County and the State of Texas, among those in attendance. However, not every individual on the ballot was present.

The format gave candidates a limited amount of time to introduce themselves and answer questions, many of them focused specifically on law enforcement and public safety.

Across the different races, several themes repeatedly surfaced: how rapidly growing communities should pay for additional police officers and equipment, how cities can recruit and retain officers, the role of police associations and meet-and-confer agreements, how elected officials should react to controversial police incidents before investigations are complete and the increasingly contentious debate over automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology.
 

Buda City Council
George Torres, a Buda business owner seeking the At-Large Position 1 seat on Buda City Council, pointed repeatedly to the city's growth and the need to make public safety part of planning for that growth.

Torres said large housing and commercial projects should be evaluated for the demands they will place on city services, including police. He described law enforcement as a top budget priority, while arguing that those needs must be balanced with what he called "smart growth."

On ALPRs, Torres supported law enforcement having access to investigative technology, but expressed concern about private companies controlling or having access to surveillance data. His preference, he said, would be for law enforcement agencies themselves to maintain greater control over technology and information.

Torres also emphasized the importance of communication between elected officials, officers and the broader business community, stating that council members need to understand what officers are experiencing before making decisions about resources and working conditions.
 

San Marcos City Council Place 3
Current San Marcos Mayor Jane Hughson told the audience that she is ending her tenure as mayor, but wants to continue in city government by seeking the Place 3 council seat.

Hughson leaned heavily on her years of experience in San Marcos government and argued that institutional knowledge can help the council understand how previous decisions shaped current conditions.

Public-safety staffing, she said, has already been the subject of a comprehensive review.

Hughson pointed to a 2022 police staffing analysis and said the council subsequently directed staff to develop a plan to increase staffing. Even after positions were added, she said, San Marcos' continued growth has kept pressure on the department.

She also highlighted the city's use of public safety liaisons to handle certain calls that do not require sworn officers, freeing police personnel for other duties.

When asked how city leaders should respond to a controversial police incident before all the facts are available, Hughson described the situation as a difficult balance between the public's demand for information and the need to avoid reaching conclusions before an investigation is complete. Her approach, she said, would be to complete the investigation as quickly as possible and make the facts available when they are established.
 

San Marcos City Council Place 4
Heather Hunter and Shane Scott presented voters with different backgrounds in the race for San Marcos City Council Place 4.

Hunter said she has worked in politics and campaigns and currently works in grants management, experience she said could be applied to budgeting, compliance and assessing city needs.

On police staffing, Hunter advocated using data and needs assessments, including response times, to determine whether more officers or resources are necessary.

She also emphasized performance standards, communication between the city and police officers and transparency when controversial incidents occur. Hunter said city officials should acknowledge publicly that an incident is under review, without getting ahead of an investigation before the facts are known.

Hunter also spoke about alternatives for calls involving mental health and homelessness, arguing that partnerships with mental health professionals and nonprofit organizations could allow police officers to focus on calls requiring law enforcement.

Scott emphasized his longtime ties to San Marcos, his small-business background and his criminal justice education.
He described himself as a strong supporter of police and said he supports continued growth in San Marcos accompanied by the public-safety resources necessary to serve that growth.

Scott also pointed to the city's meet-and-confer process as an important mechanism for addressing police compensation and employment issues and said he has supported the Police Officers Association during his time in city government.
 

San Marcos City Council Place 6
Bill Miller and Miguel Arredondo used the Place 6 discussion to offer two approaches to the pressures facing a growing San Marcos.

Miller, a Coast Guard veteran who said he performed law enforcement duties while serving, focused heavily on what he described as a shortage of officers.

He said public safety should be a funding priority and suggested that San Marcos explore whether Texas State University could contribute financially toward emergency services because of the demands the university population places on the city.

Miller also advocated an open-door relationship with police officers, saying officers at any level should be able to approach a council member with concerns.

Arredondo, a longtime San Marcos CISD trustee, framed public safety more broadly.

He argued that cities can support police not only by providing officers with staffing and equipment, but by addressing conditions that frequently result in police calls, including homelessness, housing insecurity and mental-health crises.
On recruitment and retention, Arredondo said San Marcos will have to look beyond salary alone. He pointed to ideas, such as workforce housing and public-private partnerships, as possible ways to make public employment more attractive in a city with limited financial resources.

Both candidates urged caution before elected officials made public judgments about controversial police encounters.
 

San Marcos Mayor
Ryan Thomason appeared without his opponent during the mayoral portion of the forum and used his extended opening to make public safety a central part of his campaign pitch.

Thomason argued that the protection of residents — particularly children and future generations — is one of the government's fundamental responsibilities.

He said San Marcos must prioritize police resources within its overall budget and argued that economic development can help generate revenue needed to support those services.

Thomason also identified officer recruitment, retention and morale as concerns, stating that compensation and workplace morale both influence whether officers remain with a department.

When addressing controversial police incidents, he said city officials should trust established investigative processes, while recognizing that those processes can be changed when the community and policymakers determine they are no longer adequate.

Kyle City Council District 2
Miguel Zuniga, seeking the District 2 seat on the Kyle City Council, focused much of his campaign pitch on growth, infrastructure and ensuring his district receives its share of city investment.

On ALPRs, Zuniga said his position has evolved.

While he previously supported technologies that could help police work more efficiently, he said concerns raised by residents about surveillance, data use and private companies have persuaded him that the issue deserves another look.

Rather than dismissing the technology entirely, Zuniga called for examining databases, contracts, privacy safeguards and the companies operating the systems.

He also supported meet-and-confer rights for police officers and said public safety depends heavily on trust between residents and law enforcement.

Beyond policing, Zuniga identified completing voter-approved road projects, improving infrastructure, conserving water and strengthening Kyle's commercial base as priorities for District 2.
 

Kyle City Council District 4
Leah Kaufman and Kenneth Rocha both brought public-safety experience into their discussion of the District 4 race.
Kaufman described herself as a former emergency medical technician who now works in the nonprofit sector on policy involving addiction and emerging drugs.

Rocha pointed to experience as a fire investigator and park ranger and said he has worked alongside law enforcement agencies in Hays County.

Rocha argued that ALPR technology itself should not automatically be characterized as harmful and said its value depends in large part on how trained professionals use it. At the same time, he said contracts, costs and policies governing technology deserve scrutiny.

Kaufman expressed reservations about private companies involved in ALPR technology, but stopped short of rejecting the systems outright. Instead, she called for guardrails, including restrictions on who can access data, auditing of searches, limits on data retention, requirements to destroy information after a certain period, restrictions on selling or sharing information and stronger data-security provisions.

The two also agreed on the importance of meet-and-confer agreements for officers.

Their approaches to public safety extended beyond enforcement. Kaufman discussed prevention, mental-health and substance-use responses and community policing. Rocha emphasized relationships between officers and residents, training, dispatch operations and ensuring first responders have both the equipment and support they need.
 

Kyle Mayor
Robert Rizo and Donnie Wills continued many of the themes heard throughout the municipal races as they made their cases for mayor of Kyle.

Rizo, a former three-term council member and mayor pro tem, pointed to his record in city government and community organizations. Wills, a retired military combat veteran said he has lived in Kyle for about 13 years and described watching the Buda-Kyle-San Marcos corridor transform as its population surged.

Wills supported using ALPR systems as crime-fighting tools, but said safeguards are necessary to prevent misuse of information and protect constitutional rights. He said people or organizations that improperly access or use the information should be held accountable.

Rizo said his position on technology has become more cautious. While he had previously supported license plate readers, he said reports of misuse elsewhere raised concerns about privacy and outside access to information.
Rizo suggested Kyle explore operating its own camera system, rather than depending entirely on a private vendor, arguing that local control could allow the city to establish its own safeguards while retaining the investigative benefits of the technology.

Both candidates also supported meet-and-confer rights for police officers.

Rizo tied public safety closely to Kyle's infrastructure needs, saying road construction has failed to keep pace with population growth. He argued that economic development and additional sales-tax revenue can help the city pay for roads and public-safety services without depending heavily on property taxes.

Wills similarly connected traffic congestion to emergency response times. He also emphasized programs for young people, arguing that sports and other activities can play a role in keeping youth out of trouble.
 

Hays County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, Place 1
The forum shifted from municipal government to county offices with the race for Hays County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, Place 1, featuring Beth Smith and Janie Flores.

Smith pointed to 28 years of experience as a justice of the peace and emphasized around-the-clock availability for law enforcement, death investigations and warrants.

Flores highlighted nearly two decades of experience working in the court system and said her focus would be on courtroom professionalism, efficient case management and treating those who come before the court with dignity and respect.

Youth vaping, including nicotine and THC products, became a major topic in the race.

Smith discussed the diversion process used for certain Class C citations involving students and said the goal should be to connect young people with resources and address the underlying cause of repeated behavior when cases ultimately reach the court.

Flores also emphasized connecting children and parents with community resources when those cases come before the justice court.

Both candidates said availability outside normal business hours is part of the responsibility of serving as a justice of the peace.

Smith pointed to her existing record of answering warrant requests and attending death inquests, while Flores said law enforcement would have direct contact information and could reach her at any hour when judicial action is required.
 

Hays County Court at Law No. 2
Incumbent judge Chris Johnson and challenger Charmaine Wilde focused heavily on the day-to-day responsibilities of a criminal court, including victims' rights, bond decisions, jail dockets and the availability of judges when officers need search warrants outside normal business hours.

Wilde, a former prosecutor now in private practice, said she has practiced criminal law in numerous Texas counties and argued that those experiences have exposed her to different approaches that could potentially be applied in Hays County.

Johnson emphasized his eight years serving in the position and his existing relationships within the county's criminal justice system.

Asked about victims of crime, both candidates said prosecutors and victim-services personnel have primary responsibility for keeping victims informed, while judges have an obligation to ensure victims' legal rights are respected during court proceedings.

Their answers on bond decisions also shared common ground: individual cases should be evaluated on their own facts, rather than through predetermined assumptions.

On the county's jail docket, Wilde advocated closely tracking caseloads and trends to identify delays and adjust court availability when necessary.

Johnson said regular jail dockets have already helped address much of the backlog and argued that in-person proceedings generally work better than remote proceedings, while adding that judges should remain open to changing procedures if evidence shows another approach would be more effective.

Both also stressed availability to law enforcement after hours.

Johnson cited his record of taking warrant calls at night, on weekends and even while traveling. Wilde said her work as an attorney and professional guardian has similarly accustomed her to receiving urgent calls outside traditional working hours.
 

Hays County Commissioner Precinct 2
Abby Gibson and Johnny Flores offered different approaches to the Precinct 2 seat on the Hays County Commissioners Court, but both identified public safety and infrastructure as central responsibilities of county government.

Gibson said commissioners should ensure the sheriff, constables and other public-safety departments receive the resources they need, while allowing those elected officials to manage their own operations.

She advocated regular meetings with department heads, rather than waiting until the annual budget process to identify staffing, equipment and funding problems.

Gibson also said Hays County needs to remain competitive on salaries and benefits, describing retention and compensation as significant challenges for local law enforcement.

Flores, who formerly served on the Hays CISD Board of Trustees, pointed to his experience dealing with campus security and school-safety spending. He said recruiting and retaining officers will become increasingly important as Hays County continues to grow.

Flores also argued for addressing factors that contribute to repeated contact with the criminal justice system, including mental health, housing and poverty, as another way to reduce pressure on law enforcement.

Technology produced a clearer distinction between their approaches.

Flores proposed creating a citizens committee that could include residents and retired law enforcement officers to examine emerging technologies and recommend safeguards for privacy and appropriate use.

Gibson cautioned against rejecting technology that could assist officers, while arguing that users should be properly vetted, policies enforced and outside audits used to make sure systems are operating as intended.

When asked to identify their top funding priorities, Gibson named roads and infrastructure, public safety and water.
Flores identified emergency response, mental-health services and roads and infrastructure.
 

Hays County Commissioner Precinct 4
By the time the Precinct 4 race was called, the length of the evening itself had become part of the discussion.
Rob McClelland joked that the gathering might be approaching a record for the longest forum, noting that candidates and attendees had already been there for roughly two hours and 45 minutes.

McClelland appeared without his opponent during his portion of the forum.

An Army veteran and Dripping Springs ISD Board of Trustee, McClelland emphasized his military experience, work with federal law enforcement during an assignment connected to the White House and his involvement with school safety.

He pointed to the Dripping Springs school marshal program as an example of prioritizing public-safety spending when resources are limited.

McClelland said commissioners should work directly with the sheriff and constables to determine what technology their departments need, rather than having commissioners dictate operational decisions.

He identified public safety, transportation and critical infrastructure — including water — as his top three funding priorities.

McClelland also placed significant emphasis on officer recruitment and retention, arguing that compensation matters, but that department policies and the relationship between elected officials and law enforcement also affect whether officers want to work and remain in a community.
 

428th Judicial District Court
Paul Still and Cassie Benoist-Templeton presented themselves as two candidates whose legal careers have been closely connected to criminal law.

Still described himself as a board-certified criminal appellate attorney working for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and a former Harris County prosecutor.

Benoist-Templeton described herself as a career prosecutor with roughly 15 years of courtroom experience, including years handling felony cases and crimes involving women and children.

Both said victims' rights must be respected, while judges maintain their distinct role as neutral arbiters of the law.
Still emphasized deciding cases based on evidence and law, rather than political considerations.

Benoist-Templeton stressed that criminal cases cannot be handled through a one-size-fits-all approach. She said rehabilitation can work for appropriate defendants, while other cases require different consequences based on their individual facts.

Both candidates also promised to be accessible to law enforcement when time-sensitive search warrants arise at night, on weekends or during holidays.

Benoist-Templeton pointed to her experience as an on-call felony prosecutor, saying she is already accustomed to receiving calls from officers at all hours.

Still described similar experiences from his time as a Harris County prosecutor handling vehicle-related felony cases and said officers would have a direct way to reach him.

The candidates also addressed jail cases.

Still said defendants being held in jail should receive priority on court calendars and argued that judges need to monitor cases closely and set them for trial when necessary to prevent unnecessary delays.

Benoist-Templeton, likewise, said judges are responsible for keeping their dockets moving, while recognizing that complicated cases, such as capital murder or child sexual abuse cases, naturally require more time than less complex criminal matters. She suggested additional jail-only dockets could be used when necessary to clear lingering cases.
 

Texas House District 45
The House District 45 contest brought some of the evening’s clearest policy differences into view, particularly on the role of state government in local law enforcement, prosecutorial discretion, firearms policy and immigration enforcement.

State Rep. Erin Zwiener, who has represented the district since 2019, emphasized local control and state financial support for local agencies. She pointed to state grant funding for rural law enforcement and said she worked to ensure Hays County remained eligible for funding based on census population figures.

On prosecutorial discretion, Zwiener argued that locally elected prosecutors should retain authority to determine how their offices prioritize cases and resources. Her opponent, Tennyson Moreno, took a different position, arguing that criminal laws should be enforced consistently across jurisdictions and expressing support for greater accountability when local officials decline to enforce state law.

The candidates also differed sharply on firearms policy.

Zwiener said she would prioritize gun-safety legislation, including permitting requirements for certain semiautomatic rifles, expanded background checks and red-flag laws. She framed those proposals in part around reducing risks faced by law enforcement officers responding to potentially armed individuals.

Moreno, instead emphasized infrastructure and support for law enforcement agencies, arguing that safer roads, bridges and intersections could reduce demands on first responders. He also said public rhetoric toward police affects both officer morale and community attitudes toward law enforcement.

Both candidates repeatedly returned to the rapid growth of Hays County and the strain it places on public-safety resources.
 

Texas House District 73
State Rep. Carrie Isaac and challenger Mary Fox followed in the House District 73 race, which includes western Hays County and Comal County.

Isaac highlighted her legislative record, including support for state funding for law-enforcement equipment and rural law-enforcement grants. She said she would continue pursuing policies aimed at retaining officers and strengthening public safety.

Fox, a retired school principal, drew on her experience working with school resource officers and law enforcement on campus emergency plans and safety procedures. She said the state should provide additional funding to help local agencies compete for officers, dispatchers and other personnel.

The candidates differed on prosecutorial oversight. Isaac discussed state efforts to impose additional requirements on prosecutors and courts, while Fox emphasized local control and said voters should generally be trusted to hold locally elected officials accountable.

Workers’ compensation for injured first responders also drew attention. Isaac suggested deadlines for insurance carriers to approve or deny claims and clearer explanations when claims are rejected. Fox said reforms should be developed in consultation with officers and agencies experiencing problems with the system.

Another difference emerged over red-flag laws, which can temporarily take guns away from individuals who may pose a threat. Fox said she would support such legislation, drawing partly on her experience as an emergency medical services (EMS) volunteer responding to domestic violence and mental-health calls. Isaac said she opposed red-flag laws and emphasized due-process concerns.
 

Hays County Judge
The race for Hays County judge brought Michelle Gutierrez Cohen, Geoffrey Tahuahua and former county judge Liz Sumter Gajdos to the stage.

Gutierrez Cohen, who presently serves in the Hays County Precinct 2 commissioner seat, emphasized collaboration, road infrastructure and emergency management. She described public safety as closely connected to transportation, noting that deputies, firefighters and EMS crews must be able to move through a rapidly growing county.

She also discussed development of a county strategic plan and called for stronger partnerships among Hays County, neighboring counties, cities, school districts and state agencies as the Austin-San Antonio corridor continues to grow.
Tahuahua, a Dripping Springs City Council member who previously led North Hays County EMS, focused on what he described as a need to return county government to core responsibilities, with public safety near the top.

He said the county judge should regularly communicate with the sheriff and constables about resources, continually review policies and technology and improve regional cooperation among county agencies and municipal police departments.

Sumter Gajdos drew on her previous tenure as county judge, including work involving law-enforcement compensation and collective bargaining. She emphasized competitive salaries, regular market studies, community policing and rebuilding trust between residents, elected officials and law enforcement.

The candidates were asked how Hays County should compete with surrounding jurisdictions for experienced peace officers, jailers, dispatchers and other employees. All three supported using compensation data and market comparisons, though each placed different emphasis on pay, workplace conditions, leadership and employee support.

With Hays County positioned between Austin and San Antonio, candidates were asked about drug trafficking, human trafficking, organized crime and other offenses that cross jurisdictional lines.

Gutierrez Cohen stressed regional planning and shared initiatives. Tahuahua emphasized relationships among agencies and his experience coordinating with neighboring jurisdictions during emergencies. Sumter Gajdos pointed to regional alliances and interoperable communications, so agencies can communicate during disasters and other major incidents.

Their answers reflected one of the recurring themes of the night: Hays County’s growth is increasingly making public safety a regional issue rather than one that stops at city or county lines.

Hays County Criminal District Attorney
The final race of the evening featured Alfonso Salazar and Kirsta Melton for Hays County criminal district attorney.

Salazar described a career that has included military law enforcement, prosecution and criminal defense. He argued that those different perspectives would help him improve communication between prosecutors and law-enforcement agencies.

His priorities included mental-health intervention, juvenile justice and creating what he described as a civil-rights division within the district attorney’s office to improve transparency and public trust.

Melton emphasized her 26 years as a prosecutor, including work involving child abuse, family violence, sexual offenses, human trafficking and transnational organized crime. She also cited experience training prosecutors and law-enforcement officers and working on human-trafficking legislation.

She said one of her primary goals would be making the district attorney’s office more transparent, including providing the public with information about cases received, rejected and taken to trial. She also called for regular communication with law enforcement and a stronger “state’s ready” approach when courts call cases for trial.

The candidates were asked how they would balance punishment, rehabilitation and public safety.

Melton said specialty and diversion courts can play important roles, but drew a firm distinction for serious violent offenses, arguing that public safety must take priority in cases involving crimes such as murder, sexual abuse and serious family violence.

Salazar emphasized evaluating cases individually, rather than relying on broad categories. He said circumstances and severity matter, while also making clear that serious offenses, such as murder, sexual assault and major gun violence, require incarceration and accountability.

Juvenile justice produced more common ground.

Both candidates said the system should distinguish between relatively minor juvenile behavior and serious or repeated offenses. Salazar stressed addressing barriers, such as unstable homes, lack of transportation and food insecurity, that can prevent juveniles from completing diversion programs. Melton similarly argued that technical violations should not automatically result in detention, while maintaining that accountability remains important when conduct becomes serious, violent or repeatedly harmful.

After the last district attorney candidates finished, organizers thanked the candidates, timekeepers, event sponsors and the law-enforcement officers and families who remained through the long evening.

Then, came one final request from the moderator to those still in the room: Go vote — and take three people with you.

The general election will take place Tuesday, Nov. 3, with early voting beginning Oct. 19. For more information on the Hays County elections, visit www.hayscountytx.gov/172/Elections. 

The Hays County Sheriff’s Office, Hays County Fire Marshal’s Office and Hays County Office of Emergency Services responded to the property and conducted an initial assessment, according to Hays County Fire Marshal Jake Vierra. Based on the information provided and the items observed, officials determined that a bomb squad was needed to safely evaluate the items and determine the appropriate disposal method.

The Austin Police Department Bomb Squad and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) - Austin Field Office responded to assist, according to a Hays County news release. After a detailed assessment, specialists determined that controlled detonations were the safest and most appropriate way to dispose of the materials.

Responding agencies coordinated with a nearby property owner to use an open field to safely transport and remediate the materials. The controlled detonations were completed as part of the remediation process.

During the incident, a shelter-in-place notification was erroneously sent to residents near the location where the controlled detonations were taking place. The message was intended to notify nearby residents of the increased first responder presence and advise them that controlled detonations would occur, said the release. Residents were meant to be informed that they might hear or feel explosions in the area and that there was no reason to be alarmed.

“The Hays County Fire Marshal’s Office and its partner agencies apologize for the confusion and concern this notification may have caused,” said Vierra. “An internal review will be conducted to determine how the error occurred and what improvements can be made to ensure future public notifications are clear, accurate and appropriate for the circumstances.”

The investigation identified the individual responsible for the items as 40-year-old Robert Chapman of Wimberley. According to investigators, Chapman previously lived as a tenant on the property where the items were discovered. He died in a drowning incident at Canyon Lake around Aug. 30, more than two weeks before the materials were found.

The ATF is handling the investigation into the materials and the circumstances surrounding their presence on the property.

Officials did not identify a threat to the public during the incident and no threat remains associated with the materials recovered from the property or the property itself.

The Hays County Fire Marshal’s Office extended its appreciation to the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, Hays County Office of Emergency Services, Austin Regional Intelligence Center (ARIC), Austin Police Department Bomb Squad and ATF Austin Field Office for their professionalism, specialized expertise and assistance throughout the incident.

“We also extend our sincere appreciation to Hays County CERT for providing rehabilitation and support to the personnel working throughout the operation and to Hays County ESD No. 4/Wimberley Fire Rescue for providing fire protection standby,” Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra added. “We are extremely grateful for the professionalism and assistance of every agency and individual involved.”

KYLE — Hats Off For Veterans (HOFV), a Texas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veterans through education, professional development and mental health resources, announced the appointment of Sergeant Timothy Owens of the Kyle Police Department to its Advisory Board.

Owens has served with KPD for nine years and currently serves as a sergeant overseeing the department’s Mental Health Team, according to a press release. Throughout his law enforcement career, he has served in a variety of capacities, bringing experience in public safety, community engagement, leadership and mental health response.

“Sgt. Owens brings an incredibly important perspective to our Advisory Board,” said Lisa Adams, founder and CEO of HOFV. “Mental health is a significant part of our mission and having someone with his professional experience, compassion and understanding of the challenges facing individuals and families in crisis will be invaluable. Most importantly, Sgt. Owens genuinely cares about people and our community. We are honored that he has chosen to serve alongside us.”

As an Advisory Board member, Owens will provide insight and guidance as HOFV continues to strengthen and expand its programs serving Texas veterans and their families, particularly the organization’s mental health and peer-support initiatives, the release continued.

“I’m honored to join the Hats Off For Veterans Advisory Board and support an organization that is making a meaningful difference in the lives of veterans and their families,” said Owens. “I look forward to contributing my experience in mental health, law enforcement and community service, while helping HOFV continue to grow its impact across Texas.”

In addition to his law enforcement career, Owens is currently completing his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice through East Texas A&M University. He is a husband and father of two and enjoys sports, golf, audiobooks and podcasts.

HOFV was founded in 2023 with a mission to ensure veterans have access to resources that help them successfully navigate life beyond military service. HOFV provides higher education scholarships, professional development grants and free mental health and peer-support programs for veterans and their families.

The addition of Owens to the Advisory Board further strengthens HOFV’s commitment to bringing together experienced community leaders who share the organization’s dedication to serving those who have served, the release concluded.

According to BSEACD general manager Charlie Flatten, this study was commissioned a year ago and revolves around the Lower Trinity Aquifer — Sligo and Hosston. He noted that this is an update, though the final draft will be brought to the board in the coming months.

Stephanie Wong of LRE/Spheros explained that the project consisted of several tasks: data compilation and analysis, geochemical analysis, stratigraphy and structural evaluation, groundwater availability and recharge assessment and conclusions and recommendations.

“We didn’t have too much data within the district, so we also pulled in data from Hays Trinity [Groundwater Conservation District (GCD)]and then, kind of did a three-mile buffer around the two districts to consider any data in those areas, as well,” said Wong.

By pulling raw data from the Texas Water Development Board, drillers' logs and the groundwater database, the team was able to compare depths of completion to stratigraphy to narrow the district distribution to 340 wells. Nowadays, continued Wong, wells have to be reported when drilled and consist of descriptions of lithology and any test pumping done, which is what provides this data.

“I know a lot of the ones toward Caldwell County, some of them start to be oil and gas wells and then, sometimes, they’re just exploration wells.”

Most of the wells are concentrated in the north side of the Hays Trinity GCD, though some are still present in the southern portion.

“The reason that we see so many Lower Trinity wells in Hays County to the west is because they don’t have access to Edwards [Aquifer] water and because, especially on the northeastern boundary of Hays County, the Middle Trinity is exhausted and everybody’s having to do go down to the Lower Trinity to get water,” added Flatten.

Wong stated that this project was exciting because during their research, they discovered that there’s not any published rock geochemistry for areas, such as the Lower Trinity, within the district. So, they were able to sample from Spillar Well 1 and Reimers Ranch MW#3 and run labs on them, resulting in new geochemistry data for the Lower Trinity.

In the Reimers Ranch sample, they found basal conglomerate at the base, fine sandstone at the top and pebbles at the bottom in the core. The lab results showed low trace metals, said Wong. Additionally, the mineralogy indicated that the matrix of the aquifer is carbonate- and silica-dominated, which was expected.

This data can provide information on rock-water interactions and water chemistry, explained Wong.

On the topic of water chemistry, she explained that they were able to note where chemistry is different and the same.

“From this, we were able to see that there are trends, generally, of the wells that are more fresh and then, as you go north and east, you’re transitioning into an area with higher [total dissolved solids],” she said, sharing that they also analyzed radioisotope data. “We specifically pulled out the carbon 14 and tritium data because the analysis of that data [let’s us] get apparent ages … What we’re seeing in this map is that, generally, there’s younger water in the southern part of Hays-Trinity GCD and then, as you move northeast, the water is getting older.”

She stated that there is mixing happening between the two waters, which suggests that the Balcones Fault Line is having an impact on water chemistry in that area.

Wong also noted that the Lower Trinity has a large depth of rock and sentiment, making it “thick” the closer it gets to the fault line.

General groundwater direction is flowing from southwest to northeast, which is consistent with the trends of geochemistry they found, said Wong.

“The main takeaway, which I think we can all see, too, is that there is a big need for more data, especially within the district, to get a better handle on the Lower Trinity, in terms of geochemistry, stratigraphy [and other] properties, that’s local to here,” said Wong.

BSEACD will meet next at noon Friday, Oct. 16.

Woodland explained that there are three ways to fund expenditures in the county, either through property tax revenue, cutting expenditures to make room for new ones or using reserve funding, though he expressed that property tax is more sustainable.

Currently, the tax rate is $0.3999, though the proposed tax rate for FY 2026-27 is $0.4125 per $100 valuation, said Woodland — a $0.0126 incr ease. The no-new-revenue tax rate — which is a rate that would provide the same revenue amount as the previous year’s rate — sits at $0.3714. Finally, the voter-approval rate is $0.4926. Adopting a tax rate higher than this would require an election, he said.

According to agenda documents, the average homestead taxable value in Hays County decreased in 2026 and is $433,263. This means that the average homeowner would pay $1,787 for taxes with the proposed increase, compared to $1,744 in 2025, a 2.46% incr ease.

“What the purpose of property taxes are, in my view, is really to determine the services that the county is going to provide. If you want to offer the essential services, what is required, then you can keep that property tax rate on a relatively low scale. If you want to go above and beyond and provide additional services or provide enhanced services, then the discussion needs to be had of where those funds are going to come from and that’s where potentially property tax would come into play,” said Woodland.

He noted that the indigent healthcare and law enforcement numbers have “increased substantially.” This includes basic healthcare and legal counsel for low-income residents. Spending money on indigent care, continued Woodland, provides the capability to raise the no-new-revenue rate, meaning that the county has $0.666 to increase. However, this would require increasing the tax rate.

With the proposed tax rate increase, approximately $133.5 would be generated for the general fund, $50.5 million for the debt service fund and $18.5 million for road and bridge fund, totaling $202.5 million, said Woodland.

Commenting on the indigent costs was commissioner Walt Smith, who stated that to have these courts successful, there needs to be investment.

“I think the commitment that we made to the specialty courts — mental health court and the veterans court — I think we made those commitments knowing that there would have to be some budgetary or fiscal impact over time,” said Smith. “But I would say that there are a number of those other courts that we’re not funding right now at the rate or the focus that we’ve set with the commissioners court.”

Woodland echoed these statements, stating that initial funding is needed to get them started, but that overall, they are advantageous and will most likely see cost savings in the long run.

Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe mentioned American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding and the fact that it has to be spent by the end of the year. According to Woodland, the county received an estimated $44 million and the Auditor’s office is working on allocating it, but the interest generated has no deadline. So, some of these funds are being budgeted.

“The reason I bring this up … [is] the only housing stability program we have currently right now is Southside Community Center. I know we increased their funding, but if there is that opportunity, I certainly would like to take a look at maybe increasing their allocation with ARPA funding,” said Ingalsbe.

Agreeing with the idea, Woodland did note that it would have to wait until payments are complete to see what is left over.

No action was taken, as the item was informational. The Hays County Commissioners Court held its first of two public hearings on the tax rate Sept. 15.

To listen to the discussion, visit bit.ly/4xD6bNv.

The award recognizes the university’s success in transforming a voluntary, co-curricular learning opportunity into a broad engagement strategy that connects students, faculty and staff with flexible, online, industry-recognized learning opportunities aligned with high-demand skills and career pathways, stated a news release.

“Texas State’s Coursera Career Academy initiative demonstrates what is possible when career readiness becomes an integrated part of the student experience,” said Jorge F. Figueroa Flores, vice provost for Academic Innovation at TXST. “By connecting students’ academic interests and majors with employer-valued skills and credentials, we are helping prepare Bobcats not only for their first opportunity after graduation, but for lifelong learning and career advancement.”

Through Coursera Career Academy, TXST provides students, faculty and staff with access to credentials and learning experiences from leading companies and organizations. For students, the initiative offers an opportunity to complement their academic majors with industry-recognized skills that can strengthen their competitiveness for internships, employment and future career opportunities, continued the release.

The initiative also engaged faculty in exploring new approaches to teaching and curriculum innovation. Through webinars and the Coursera Faculty Institute, instructors learned how Coursera content could complement courses and support workforce-relevant competencies, creating opportunities for curricular integration alongside co-curricular learning.

Rather than simply providing access to an online learning platform, TXST developed a coordinated engagement ecosystem involving students, faculty, staff, university leadership, media outreach, curriculum integration and student government advocacy.

Student government support further demonstrated the campus-wide value of the initiative and helped reinforce the importance of accessible, career-focused learning opportunities for students.

“Coursera Career Academy has helped Texas State build a culture in which students can pursue both the knowledge of their academic disciplines and the skills employers are seeking,” said Figueroa Flores. “This recognition reflects the collective work of our campus community to make career readiness and lifelong learning part of the Texas State experience.”

At approximately 6 p.m., Alonso Echeverria stole a vehicle from the 800 block of Kohlers Crossing in Kyle with a 5-month-old child still inside. He drove the vehicle to an emergency room in Buda, where he abandoned both the vehicle and the child before fleeing on foot.

Investigators used automated license plate reader technology to quickly identify and locate the stolen vehicle. Officers recovered the unharmed infant and reunited the child with the family.

As the investigation continued, officers discovered evidence linking the suspect to another vehicle theft that occurred at 3:30 p.m. in the 4000 block of Cromwell Drive in Kyle.

Through a coordinated effort involving the Kyle Police Department, Buda Police Department and the Hays County Sheriff's Office, officers searched for the suspect. Following a social media post with the suspect's description, a tip from a community member helped officers locate him near an apartment complex in the 1200 block of Cabela's Drive in Buda.

While attempting to evade arrest, the suspect entered two occupied apartment homes before being taken into custody without further incident.

The suspect was identified as Echeverria of Bastrop.

"We are incredibly grateful the child was recovered unharmed so quickly," said KPD Chief Jeff Barnett. "This case highlights the importance of investigative resources, including automated license plate reader technology."

"We are thankful for the strong partnerships among local law enforcement agencies that helped bring this incident to a safe resolution." BPD Chief Bo Kidd added.

KPD charged Echeverria with abandoning or endangering a child, theft of property valued between $30,000 and $150,000, tampering with a government record, tampering with physical evidence and evading arrest or detention with previous convictions, along with multiple theft-related offenses, criminal mischief and public intoxication. BPD additionally charged Echeverria with criminal trespass of a habitation.

This follows discussion at the Aug. 25 meeting, where HCSO requested money for the Axon Era AI Plan. Here, several residents, including Amy Kamp, spoke against the item implementation, stating that there could be racial bias and data-sharing concerns. Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra also shared his opposition to the item.

Because of this, HCSO Chief Deputy Brett Bailey offered to bring back a statement noting that HCSO wouldn’t implement any additional AI services without court approval.

In the statement, Bailey stated that, HCSO “recognize[s] that this represents a significant investment by Hays County and we understand the importance of ensuring that the technology is implemented responsibly and provides meaningful value to the sheriff’s office and the citizens we serve.”

The letter continues, stating that if the court approves the plan request, the following capabilities from the plan will be included:

• Unlimited Auto Transcribe

• Auto Translate

• Axon Assistant to obtain general knowledge and policy related information

• Policy Chat for guidance with HCSO’s policies and procedures

• Unlimited Smart Detection to locate and identify human forms within video evidence

• Smart Capture for driver’s licenses

• Brief One for Law Enforcement to summarize transcripts

• AI Auto Tagging for digital evidence

• Form One to complete common forms with audio transcripts

• Attribute Search to use descriptions of clothing and accessories to locate individuals in video evidence

• CAD Call for Service Lookup

• 911 Call Lookup

• Vehicle Lookup

• Smart Performance to analyze video and performance data

• Investigative Assistant to ask questions about a case within Axon evidence and obtain answers to be verified

• AutoIntel to extract intelligence from evidence

However, it was noted that Axon Draft One, an AI report-writing feature, will not be implemented, due to concerns about its capability. Furthemore, HCSO stated that it will not implement this ability or any future abilities that become available, without court approval.

“People are not comfortable with the idea that AI is coming at a rate that no one can predict and we are wide-open door for a 10-year contract with this that’s before us,” said Becerra at the Sept. 1 meeting, though he commended Bailey’s willingness to work with and provide information on the item.

“Axon does not own our data; we own our data. This is dissimilar from the conversation we had with Flock [Safety] and I have been assured by Axon … [that] there is a safeguard between us and them. They are not able to do anything with our data, unless we give them permission,” Bailey clarified.

Additionally, Stephanie Hunt, county purchasing agent, stated that there is a procedure in place to go through to be brought to court for approval.

Commissioner Walt Smith said that the court should move forward in accepting the letter. The letter was accepted unanimously.

Following this item, Smith moved to include the first-year payment — approximately 25%, according to budget officer Scott Woodland — as part of the 10-year contract with Axon for the AI plan, in the fiscal year 2026-27 budget. The totality of the contract would amount to $4.5 million.

Becerra emphasized  that “there is no world” where he would support a 10-year contract for anything, whether or not it was AI-related.

The item passed 4-1, with Becerra dissenting.

To listen to the full discussion, visit bit.ly/4clpX8q.

Sifuentes entered a guilty plea and agreed to let the court decide his sentence. Under that plea deal, the court could impose a minimum of five years and up to 50 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. 453rd District Judge Sherri Tibbe sentenced him to the maximum term of 50 years and emphasized that she wanted to keep the community safe from Sifuentes.

The case involved an incident in the early morning hours of Aug. 26, 2023, where Sifuentes shot and injured a police officer who was serving as an off-duty courtesy officer for an apartment complex in San Marcos. The officer had approached Sifuentes on a playground to warn him about being too loud, when he became aggressive, pulled a gun on the officer and shot him in the arm. The peace officer survived his injuries and has resumed his duties.

During the same hearing, the prosecution noted that in June of 2023, Sifuentes had driven while intoxicated to Austin with several passengers and ran a red light before crashing into another vehicle and injuring several people. He then fled from the scene and flashed a gun at a bystander for directing Sifuentes to return to the scene of the crash. The evidence also showed that, in August 2023, Sifuentes committed an assault at a restaurant where he pulled a gun on patrons who were waiting for a table. He was also sentenced to 10 years' prison time for this The shooting of the officer occurred just over a week later.
 

HCWC is in its 48th year of serving members of the community who face domestic harm, whether it be violence, sexual or child abuse. CEO Melissa Rodriguez shared that HCWC does all it can to provide aid to victims, such as counseling, emergency shelter, transitional housing and accompanying trips to the hospital for medical examinations. Additionally, it advocates and provides education to community members in order to create a safe environment.

As a nonprofit, it runs on donations and grants; therefore, it has run an annual auction each year, but Rodriguez stated that its purse bingo event will be coming to Kyle, after the positive reception in Luling.

“We started [the event] in Caldwell County as a way to connect with the community because we had been serving them for decades and wanting to raise awareness. We wanted to do it in a way that also was fun, but also brought the message to the community. So, we got the idea from other sister centers that are child abuse programs. They started doing designer purse bingos across the state and no one was doing it locally,” explained Rodriguez. “We decided to go ahead and jump on board and it became so popular that this year, we decided to add one in Hays County.”

The CEO noted that Kyle was chosen because of the rapid growth in the area, as it is the second-highest served community within HCWC’s service, according to the CEO.

Attendees that purchase a $70 general admission ticket will receive a dinner and 20 rounds of bingo for a chance to win a designer purse, with pieces from Coach, Kate Spade and more, with a grand prize of a Gucci bag.

Those wishing for reserved seats and tables can sign up for sponsorships that have extra perks, she said.

HCWC also partners with local law enforcement agencies that act as models throughout the event. This not only provides fun entertainment for the night, but is also an opportunity for officers to connect with the community. At the end of the night, a vote is taken — based on the loudest hoot and hollering — for the best model.

“We try to make it a fun, light event, even though the work we do is very heavy and serious and important and critical and, obviously, not something that most people want to have to utilize, but are grateful when it’s needed … It’s not something easy for people to talk about our issues, so this is one of the ways that we found we can be very successful is just getting people connected to the work that we’re doing,” she said.

Aside from the bingo, there will be bucket raffle items, with donations from Tito’s Vodka, Tanger and Premium outlet malls, local restaurants and more.

These fundraisers allow HCWC to continue providing an important program in the community, she said.

“Every dollar that we raise goes directly to serving the survivors that we work with every day,” emphasized Rodriguez, adding that HCWC has no debt, so all funds go toward paying the staff that provide the free and confidential services to clients.

HCWC has a 24-hour HELPline available for those in need: 512-396-4357.

“One in three Texans experience a form of violence. Unfortunately, this is not something people want to talk about, but it is such a relevant and common experience with our neighbors, with our families, with our children. No one asks for this to happen and it can happen to anybody,” she emphasized. “It does not discriminate on your gender, your income, your neighborhood, your good school — it can happen to literally anyone, [aged] 0 to until we’re not here anymore and we see it. Last year, we served 2,279 individuals across all our programs — adults, youth and children — about half of those were children … Everyone wants, or should, and deserves to have a safe home. They deserve to have a healthy relationship. They deserve to have a family that can support children in a healthy, positive way and that’s what our goal is.”

The purse bingo will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at Gemstone Palace, 1101 Bunton Creek in Kyle. To learn more about the event or purchase a ticket, visit www.hcwc.org/pursebingo.

According to chief communications officer Tim Savoy, district officials alerted him Aug. 19, two days after the first day of school, to a social media post that depicted students in the aisle of a Hays CISD school bus the day prior.

This video was from Holly Sewell, who explained at the Aug. 27 Hays CISD Board of Trustees meeting that her son rode home on the floor of the bus against the rear emergency door exit.

“There were several other children sitting on the floor and we heard from several other parents who corroborated this. Our son showed us several videos of this happening,” said Sewell.

Savoy noted that he initially stated that the bus hadn’t left the bus loop, based on the information he had at the time, though after further review of the video footage, he noted that students continued to be in the aisle after leaving the campus.

He stated that the bus driver initially pulled over in the campus, stood to face the students and directed them to get into a seat, though footage showed that not every student complied.

Buses can hold up to 78 students, when sitting three to a seat, and 52 when sitting two to a seat, said Savoy, though the bus in question had 58 students assigned to it. This is allowable in a middle school setting, since sixth graders can sometimes sit three to a seat. So, the bus had the capacity needed, just not at the appropriate comfort level for middle school students.

“As a standard practice, Hays CISD does not let more students board a bus than there are seats available,” said Savoy. “To accommodate fluctuations in the numbers of students who will be riding buses from day-to-day during the first couple of weeks of school, the district pre-positions back-up buses and drivers around the district to be called into service during morning pick-up for buses that fill up with students prior to completing their to-school routes.”

This is exactly what happened, as the school district immediately added a second bus to the route the following day after receiving reports.

Savoy explained that the beginning of each school year is always a bit of a transition, which the district addresses in its back-to-school emails: “It’ll take a few days for everyone to learn new traffic patterns, for us to level classes based on students who show up to school and for bus schedules to settle into a steady routine. Remember to give each other grace and kindness during this time,” said Superintendent Eric Wright in this year’s letter to parents.

Some parents have questioned whether budget cuts caused these issues; however, Savoy clarified that Transportation funding was not decreased.

“Though no direct budget cuts occurred with Transportation in Hays CISD, it’s likely that the department took a more conservative approach in planning bus routing this year — not having the luxury to build in added, immediate buffer capacity. The district operates as a system, so any budget cuts because of the state school funding situation can have an impact on the whole district,” he said.

Additionally, the number of students riding the bus can rapidly change: “On Aug. 1, 2026, Hays CISD had approximately 9,200 students registered to ride buses for the 2026-2027 school year. By the first day of school, Aug. 13, 2026, that number had risen to 12,414 students registered and riding the bus. On Wednesday, August 26, 2027, approximately 16,600 students were registered for bus service,” explained Savoy.

Despite this, he emphasized that issues and concerns are being addressed as they arise.

“Bus adjustments and leveling happen every school year in almost every school district in Texas during the first couple of weeks of school. Some years are better than others generally, but bus experiences in the first weeks are highly individualized. Even if generally the system is having a good year, that doesn’t mean everyone individually is having a good experience. Conversely, if the school year is off to what feels like a bumpy start, it doesn’t mean everyone has had a bad experience,” concluded Savoy.

For more information on the district’s Transportation Department, visit www.hayscisd.net/page/transportation.

The proposal for a hospital district was initially presented to court by Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra’s office June 9, discussing potential partnerships, financial benefits and expanded medical care access. While it was solely a presentation item, some commissioners were still hesitant that there was not enough information.

Then, Becerra called for a special meeting to take place Monday, Aug. 18, to deliberate having an election for the hospital district. This came after the judge and healthcare supporters “feverishly” worked to obtain the required number of signatures and petitions to add the initiative to the ballot, according to a press release from Becerra’s office.

The special called meeting, however, could not move forward, due to a lack of quorum, with commissioners Michelle Cohen, Debbie Ingalsbe and Walt Smith not being in attendance, as previously reported by the Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch.

Now, several items related to the possible hospital district, including the acknowledgement of a presentation of a voter petition, order for a countywide special election in May 2027 and intent to establish a “target operating tax rate,” were brought forward again for the commissioners’ consideration.

The petition was met with questions from the commissioners regarding the number and validity of the signatures to ensure that they meet the requirements to move forward.

In response to Smith’s question on the review process, elections administrator Jennifer Doinoff initially explained that she and the tax assessor reviewed several documents to verify that the signers were on the voter registration and property tax lists. Once they were sent to the Civil Division, it was found that some had missing information, such as date of birth.

“At the end of the day, were this to pass with our citizens … by statute the county would appoint or the county commissioners court would appoint the board,” Smith said. “However, the county commissioners court would have the authority or actually be designated as the entity who would set the tax rate on it. Before we move forward into a process to start down that road, I just want to make sure that these are valid signatures.”

Following hours of review, county staff came back before the court to verify that more than 100 signatures on the petition were valid.

Despite this, commissioners were still left with questions and hesitation, including that they have not been privy to the “year-long conversation,” said Ingalsbe.

“I wish that we would have had some of those conversations here in court, bringing in those experts here to the courtroom, so that we could also hear the message [and] hear the options. The assessment, I think, would have given us an opportunity to decide which is the better option to go with,” Ingalsbe said “I think we could have done better.”

Becerra explained that the court has received the verified signatures, so now, it’s about conversation with the public to make an educated decision.

Cohen, who also serves on the Public Health Authority Board, also felt that the court was not being fully informed on its options and feared that individuals who signed the petition did so without all of the facts. She also noted that during the June presentation, the proposal was described as a health district, but now it is a hospital district.

“So, I don't feel good about the petition … It seems like because we have the petition now as a court, we have to vote for this. With all this missing information, we have to vote for it and I feel that the petitioners that signed this were misinformed and we did this backwards. This is not how it's supposed to go. We need to evaluate, figure out what's the best options for us [and] listen to the experts that have not been brought in,” she stressed. “Who are the stakeholders? When did these meetings happen? What was discussed? How come we were just now getting brought into this conversation? And to me, that's very unacceptable.”

Smith echoed that there has not been a single “public process” regarding this, other than the one presentation, which reviewed multiple options to move forward with.

Commissioner Morgan Hammer highlighted that the Hays County Indigent Health Care Program — designed to provide medical and prescription drug coverage for eligible, low-income residents who do not qualify for other state or federal health care programs — caps at $30,000 per person. Under a hospital district, Hays County would assume full responsibility for furnishing medical and hospital care for indigent and “needy” people who reside in the district.

“That is a liability that I don't think any taxpayer at this current state wants. Full responsibility for furnishing medical and hospital care,” Hammer said. “No offense, but we can’t run a shelter and [yet], we are going to take care of people? … We're going to have to create a hospital. We don't know how to create a hospital. Do you know how many employees are in the hospital system in Hays County — 114,000. We have no business getting into a hospital district without doing all of the homework around it.”

Additionally, after the signatures were verified and pursuant to Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 281, the court now has a “ministerial duty,” according to Hays County assistant criminal district attorney Chase Young, to call for the special election for the creation of a hospital district.

Ultimately, the court voted 4-1, with Smith dissenting, to acknowledge the voter petition.

“I have serious concerns over the validity of this and I want the court to have an option to come back and look at this under statute,” Smith said. “I’m not going to support this.”

Although the court has a “duty” to call a special election, it is not immediately required, so the commissioners unanimously voted to table the item until the rest of the May election orders are made.

The court also unanimously tabled a resolution that would formalize the intent to establish “a target operating tax rate for the proposed Hays County Hospital District of $0.01 to $0.02 per $100 of taxable valuation, substantially below the statutory maximum of $0.75 per $100 valuation.”

To listen to the full discussion, visit www.hayscountytx.gov/189/Court-Meetings-Livestream.

Pastrano stated in a news release that his client, Gutierrez, did not cut through or climb over a perimeter fence of the Hays County Jail, hide in a delivery or maintenance vehicle leaving the Hays County Jail or attempt to run away from an officer during a medical visit to Ascension Seton Hays Hospital.

Instead, he said that, on Saturday, July 18, Gutierrez was called out of a holding cell and allowed to watch television in the booking area for an extended period of time. Then, officers “punched him out” of multiple secured doors, while giving Gutierrez directions on how to depart the premises of the Hays County Jail.

The Hays County Sheriff’s Office stated that Gutierrez impersonated the actual inmate that was supposed to be released, Zavier Aldaca, though Pastrano argued that there were “obvious” differences between the two, such as hair color, 5 inches of height and 50 pounds of weight.

Pastrano said jail staff had several methods available to verify Gutierrez’s identity before allowing him to leave, including iris cameras, booking photos and identification records.

“In truth, the Hays County Jail failed to implement a series of steps which would have confirmed that the correct inmate would be released, including, but not limited to:

1. Use of one of two (2) IRIS Cameras purchased for use in the Hays County Jail;

2. Confirming through the use of a booking photo that the correct inmate was being released; and 

3. Confirming through the use of a Texas driver’s license that the correct inmate was being released,” said Pastrano. 

After being returned to the jail, Gutierrez agreed to plead “no contest” to the misdemeanor offense of evading arrest in exchange for the escape charge to be declined for prosecution by the Hays County District Attorney’s Office. 

Gutierrez appeared in court the afternoon of Thursday, Aug. 27, to enter his plea and was sentenced to the time served in the Hays County Jail for the evading arrest charge. According to Pastrano, he remained in custody following the hearing as he awaited transfer to Brazoria County to address pending charges.

According to a statement from the Hays County Sheriff’s Office public information officer Mark Andrews, an internal investigation is under way.

“The Hays County Sheriff's Office is conducting a thorough review of the incident and remains committed to identifying any necessary improvements to its procedures and safeguards to help prevent a similar incident from occurring in the future,” he said. “The sheriff’s office is aware of the plea agreement and respects the district attorney's decision to dismiss the escape charges.”

On Dec. 19, 2020, officers found 19-year-old Christopher Trevino’s body inside a Kyle residence after responding to a report of shots fired, as previously reported by the Hays Free Press. The Kyle Police Department noted that investigators believed that Arispe was purchasing marijuana from one of Trevino’s family members and allegedly drew a gun in the course of the transaction. The victim was reportedly shot after attempting to intervene. 

Arispe, a then-juvenile, allegedly fled the scene, but was later apprehended and processed into the Hays County Juvenile Detention Center on charges of murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated robbery. The murder charge was later enhanced to capital murder June 8, 2022. 

Following three trial cancellations in early 2025, a Notice of Intent to use evidence of other crimes was filed June 2025. These ranged from purchasing marijuana and disposing of evidence the day of Trevino’s murder and “passing something” to another that led to an overdose at school to assaulting minors at Chapa Middle School and disobeying oral directives of Hays County Jail staff. 

The final trial was set for March 16, 2026. 

Prior to the setting, the defendant’s team filed a motion to quash the capital murder charge, as Arispe was 15 at the time of the crime. Because he was a juvenile, the maximum punishment for capital murder would be life imprisonment, with the ability to earn parole after 40 years, rather than the adult sentence of death penalty or a complete life sentence. 

The motion argued that allowing a charge that could result in a de facto life sentence — a punishment that could extend past the defendant’s lifespan — contradicts Supreme Court precedent and “violates both federal and state constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment,” citing the Eighth Amendment and case law. 

453rd District Judge Sherri Tibbe denied the motion. 

After three days, the jury returned a unanimous “not guilty” verdict for the charge of capital murder. 

Capital murder, according to the charge of the court, is only applicable if an individual causes the death of another in the course of committing or attempting to commit robbery, which is defined as “committing theft and with intent to obtain or maintain control of the property, he intentionally or knowingly threatens or places another in fear of imminent bodily injury or death.”

Instead, the jury found him “guilty of the lesser included offense of felony murder”  March 19.

Felony murder varies from murder. Court documents note that felony murder occurs when an individual causes the death of another during the attempt or fulfillment of a felony in the “furtherance” of the crime or whilst fleeing the event. It also occurs when the death would have not occurred, if not for the interference of another. Murder, on the other hand, is when a person intentionally or knowingly causes the death of an individual. 

The capital murder charge was dismissed as a result. Additionally, the other charges of aggravated robbery and murder were also dismissed. 

Arispe’s punishment hearing occurred Aug. 24 and resulted in 40 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. 

Through this expanded commitment, CHRISTUS Health will help provide meaningful educational opportunities for deserving student-athletes, including scholarship support and resources that help them thrive both academically and athletically, according to a news release.

"This partnership reflects our deep commitment to the health and success of student-athletes and the broader Texas State community," said Ernie Sadau, president and CEO of CHRISTUS Health. "Together, we are building on a relationship that spans athletic healthcare, clinical education and community care, creating meaningful opportunities for students and strengthening the communities we are privileged to serve."

CHRISTUS Health will also be recognized as a strategic official athletics health care partner of the university, with its logo featured on Texas State Athletics uniforms for home and away competitions across all sponsored sports starting this fall.

"We're excited to deepen our relationship with CHRISTUS Health through this innovative partnership," said Dr. Kelly R. Damphousse, president of Texas State University. "This collaboration will open doors for our student-athletes through expanded scholarship opportunities, while showcasing the strength of our community partnerships. We value our relationship with CHRISTUS Health and have been aligned partners with our global initiatives, campus involvement and athletics.”

For years, CHRISTUS Health has been a valued corporate partner of Texas State Athletics, supporting student-athlete scholarships, advertising across all sports programs and the health and welfare of student-athletes, the release continued. Beyond athletics, the relationship reflects a shared commitment to student opportunity, community well-being and the continued growth of Central Texas.

"This is a landmark moment for Texas State Athletics as we enter into the Pac-12 Conference," said Don Coryell, vice president for Intercollegiate Athletics and director of Athletics at Texas State University. “Their support will have a lasting impact on our student-athletes receiving a degree by providing them with the resources they need and we're grateful to CHRISTUS Health for their commitment to Texas State."

The award recognizes high school students who exemplify the "cooperative difference" by exhibiting traits of leadership, dedication to their craft and concern for their community.

“A team player puts in the hard work, gives their all and inspires those around them to be their very best,” said Mikayla Herron, PEC community outreach specialist. “These students lead both in the classroom and in their extracurricular activities, whether that’s football, band or theatre. We want to celebrate their efforts, sportsmanship and achievements and encourage them to participate in other PEC youth programs.”

Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities. As the nation’s largest member‑owned electric cooperative, PEC is member focused and places a high priority on community giving through grants, scholarships, youth programs, appreciation events and more, stated a news release.

“We feel confident that investing in area students is investing in our communities. By providing enriched learning, programs and opportunities, it’s our hope that students will go off to college or trade school and return home to the Hill Country with all the skills and knowledge they’ve gained, so they can continue to strengthen and improve our communities for years to come,” Herron said.

PEC’s Power Player Award is one of several ways the cooperative gives back to area students and teachers through its community engagement programs, the release continued. PEC’s Educational Spotlight Grants help teachers fund dynamic classroom projects and the cooperative also provides $100,000 in scholarships each year to support area high school students. Collectively, these programs highlight the importance of PEC’s values and celebrate members who give back and strengthen their communities.

The deadline to nominate a student for PEC’s Power Player Award is Sept. 17. To be eligible, nominees must attend high school within or surrounded by PEC’s service area. PEC will announce winners and publicly recognize them later this fall.

Visit myPEC.com/power-player to nominate a student.