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 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.

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.

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 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.”

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.

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. 

“For 99% of human history, we all raised kids surrounded by a village and now, in this country, most people are doing it very, very isolated,” said Randi Finn, director of operations for Little Village Texas. “There are other cultures around the world who still really prioritize postpartum care and providing that village for people who just had a baby, but the U.S. has some of the worst maternal health outcomes in the developed world. We're really trying to give people a place where they can build that village for themselves.”

Little Village Texas was created more than 10 years ago, hosting weekly in-person gatherings on Mondays, where parents can come to get that emotional and physical support. This is done through multiple ways, including offering yoga movement classes, pelvic floor/physical therapist sessions, lactation consulting, meal trains and offering a free store, called Village Commons, for baby gear, clothes and diapers.

The foundations for wellbeing are established in the first six years of life, Finn explained, but, at the same time, several mothers and families experience a 6-week to 6-year gap in social support, especially between giving birth and returning to work.

Knowing this, Little Village Texas works to build that bridge for a lot of people who lose their community when they really need a safe space.

“This gap is largely unmet by existing public systems, which necessitates community action. Little Village implements research-backed strategies to reduce postpartum depression and support early childhood development,” Finn said.

The importance of this network of support is not lost on the many participating mothers, including Greta Nakliudaite-Perez, who sees Little Village as a blessing: “After having my second baby, I was fed and taken care of for a whole year [on] Mondays at Little Village. I've seen how, for some mothers, it's a total life changer and possibly the main thing that saves them from postpartum depression.”

Erin Lester echoed similar points, sharing that her desire in this world is for every woman to experience the postpartum support that she did after her second pregnancy — something that did not happen the first time around.

“The amount of people who had only met me once or twice who signed up for my meal train blew me away. I felt so supported and so loved. I love that I don't have to think about planning lunch on Mondays,” Lester said. “I can bring myself and my toddler and know we'll be nourished with homemade soup. It's also nice being able to relax in a room full of women and have a real conversation while my toddler plays with the other kids."

The organization also officially filed — and was accepted — to became a nonprofit in October 2025 to preserve the work, acquire funding and ensure that it doesn’t go anywhere after the current generation of volunteers age out, the director explained.

Now, there will be a fall festival fundraiser tentatively at 3-7 p.m. Oct. 17 at Flying Armadillo Disc Golf. Proceeds will go toward sustaining the current Monday meetup, while also helping launch another program, called Self-Care Wednesdays.

The Wednesday program would give dedicated time for caregivers to engage in activities that support physical and mental wellbeing, including guided movement and wellness practices led by qualified local instructors. Onsite childcare — with financial assistance opportunities — would also be available to increase accessibility.

Currently, Little Village meets from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 3039 Ranch Road 12, San Marcos, in the old preschool building. For more information, updates and RSVP details, visit the private Facebook group at bit.ly/4gETk71.

Human Resources director Eric Granjeno began the budget workshop by presenting on a salary study conducted. He noted that competitive and fair wages are part of the strategic plan, but that the study revealed that 14 full-time equivalent (FTE) civilian employees, or 1.81%, are aligned with the market average, while 691 FTEs, or 84.7%, are below market. There are 112 FTEs, 13.49%, over market.

Based on Massachusetts Institute of Technology data, the living wage in Hays County is $25.93 per hour for two working adults with two children. The living wage for one adult without children is $22.59 per hour, as determined by the data. This same data is what the city of Austin used recently when determining increases for its employees, said Granjeno. Hays County’s minimum wage is currently $16.32 per hour, or $33,949 annually, making 364 employees, or 45% of the civilian employees, below the suggested threshold.

There are two recommendations to accommodate this:

Option 1: Full market alignment at $6,490,419

• A 14.62% upward adjustment to the existing salary structure

• County starting wage of $45,760 or $22 an hour, raising all employees below living wage to this value.

• Employees over the range in their new proposed pay grade will receive a one-time payment Oct. 1 equivalent to 3% of their current salary

• No employees will receive less than 3% market adjustment

• No step movement in fiscal year (FY) 2027

• No regrades

Option 2: Phased full market alignment at $4,874,868

• Option 1 broken into two phases

- Phase 1: Employee salaries will per raised to 50% of their market adjustment Oct. 1

- Phase 2: Employee salaries raised to the remaining 50% of their market adjustment April 1, 2027

• No step movement in FY 2027

• No regrades

Regarding the elected positions, five were aligned with market average, eight are above and 46 are below.

There are two options for this, as well. A full market alignment, which will provide $11,688.35 in savings, due to elected officials, who are at a higher pay than the new incoming officials, leaving. It would allow elected officials who are reelected to be eligible for a 12% term increase. The second is a full market alignment or 3% cost of living adjustment (COLA) for $57,512. If anyone is not getting a market adjustment, they would get a 3% COLA. Both would commence Jan. 1, 2027.

Human Resources recommended continuing with the county’s wellness and non-wellness premium structure for the upcoming year. It also recommended increasing vacation accrual to seven hours per month and removing the six-month waiting period prior to using it.

Scott Woodland, budget officer, discussed a potential tax increase from $0.3999 to $0.4099. He shared that because the home value decreased to $450,956 the average homeowner would pay $1,803.37, which is $52.61 in savings. under the current rate. With a $0.01 increase to the tax rate, the homeowner would pay $1848.47 or $7.51 less than last year.

Next, several departments proposed requests to the court.

Hays County Sheriff Anthony Hipolito read a letter from an employee that submitted a resignation for one reason — money.

“At some point, we have to look hard at taking care of our employees,” said Hipolito.

Hays County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Brett Bailey continued on this idea, stating that when they lose an employee, they lose institutional knowledge and money spent training them, increasing overtime and burden on the employees who remain. HCSO hopes to have an assigned deputy to every school in the county by 2028, but it cannot achieve this, if they cannot raise their retention rate.

Bailey also asked the court to reconsider lowering the inmates housed at other facilities. He shared that the jail population management is a system and would ask the court to instead allow flexibility that will make the most operational and financial sense.

Finally, he discussed the Axon artificial intelligence (AI) package requested.

“I understand AI is a hot topic, but Axon is offering a 10-year agreement that would lock in the AI services they currently provide and include new AI services they introduce during that 10-year period at no additional cost,” said Bailey, who had a live demonstration of the AI, where a woman speaking Spanish asked for help and an officer was able to use a translation tool to speak with her.

“I understand the recommended budget is slim. I’m not asking you to fund every request made by the sheriff’s office; I’m asking you to look at these requests through the lens of what they accomplish for the citizens of Hays County,” concluded Bailey. “This recommended budget took my breath away and I say that with all due respect, but I can’t operate on the budget that’s been offered.”

Other requests were as follows:

• An associate judge/juvenile master position for the Mental Health Court

• One full-time deputy fire Marshall for the Emergency Services Department

• One tax specialist for the Hays County Tax Assessor

• A justice clerk position for the Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 office

• One part-time shared juvenile diversion coordinator for the Justice of the Peace offices

• Two state-required shields for Constable Precinct 5 and a position regrade

Criminal District Attorney’s Office

• Raising the pretrial and trial budget from $1,000 to $3,000

• Raising the expert witness services budget from $1,500 to $5,000

• Raising the budget for continuing education from $38,000 to $50,000

• An attorney 3 position

• Regrade two members of the digital media evidence team

County Clerk’s Office

• New equipment to replace out of date or unusable technology

• Raising the budget for postage from $22,000 to $25,000

• One new position

• Five position regrades

• New software program

After hearing all of the presentations, the commissioners asked for documents outlining the financial costs to be brought back at a later meeting.

To listen to the full discussion, visit bit.ly/4covBX7.

Last week, Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra called a special meeting, set to take place at 2 p.m. Monday, which was the last day to order a general or special election on a measure, to deliberate adding a Hays County Hospital District measure to the ballot for November.

According to a press release from Becerra’s office, the judge and healthcare supporters “feverishly” worked to obtain the required number of signatures and petitions to add the initiative to the ballot. These numbers were verified Monday, which would have mandated that the proposed health district measure be placed on the ballot.

The meeting, however, could not move forward, as commissioners Michelle Cohen, Debbie Ingalsbe and Walt Smith were not in attendance, leaving the judge and commissioner Morgan Hammer without a quorum after a 30-minute wait.

The purpose of the meeting was not to create the hospital district, according to Becerra; it was to allow the citizens of Hays County the opportunity to decide for themselves whether they wanted more affordable and effective healthcare.

“In effect, their absence circumvented state law, which requires a duly validated petition to be placed on the ballot,” said Becerra. “… ultimately [robbing] the residents of Hays County of the opportunity to express their voice and decide for themselves the future of healthcare in our county.”

“This coordinated sabotage of the people’s voice is simply a dereliction of duty,” said Becerra.

In contrast to the judge’s statements, Ingalsbe claimed that the meeting was scheduled without regard for her availability.

“Out of respect for the residents I serve, I believe it is important to let my constituents know why I was not present at Monday’s special meeting of the commissioners court,” she said. “Unfortunately, neither I nor my office was notified in advance or asked about my availability before the meeting was scheduled. I had several commitments that had been on my calendar for weeks and felt it was important to honor those obligations and meet with the individuals who had already scheduled time with me.”

Additionally, the commissioner expressed disappointment in the special meeting being called on short notice and the health district considered without public outreach: “This is a significant policy decision that could have a long-term impact on our community, yet the court has not had the opportunity to engage in a thorough, formal discussion on the matter. Equally important, we have not sought input from our residents through open houses, town halls, public presentations or other community engagement efforts. That lack of public involvement is concerning, particularly given that a hospital district would have the authority to levy a property tax of up to $0.75 per $100 of taxable value.”

“Affordable and accessible healthcare has always been a priority for me and I fully support exploring solutions that improve healthcare access for our residents. I welcome a thoughtful and transparent conversation about how we can achieve that goal together, while ensuring the public has a meaningful voice in the process,” Ingalsbe concluded.

As of press time, Cohen and Smith had not responded to a request for comment.

According to a news release, at approximately 3:26 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, during routine checks, an inmate was discovered non-responsive at the jail. 

Despite the administration of CPR was and emergency medical services being called, the inmate was unable to be resuscitated and was pronounced deceased by the justice of the peace. 

The deceased was housed in a cell alone and no foul play is suspected. The preliminary investigation suggests that he passed due to natural causes, the release continued. 

At this time, the inmate’s identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

A prior check had been conducted at 3:12 a.m. and the inmate “appeared normal,” according to the release. 

As with all custodial deaths in a jail, a criminal investigation is being conducted by the Texas Department of Public Safety, and an internal investigation is being conducted by HCSO’s Office of Professional Responsibility to make sure all policies and procedures were followed.

County Court at Law No. 3 has been awarded a $165,000 grant from the Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health to implement the Court Liaison Pilot Program for the period of Sept. 1, 2026, through Aug. 31, 2028. This funding includes $102,877 for personnel, $52,075 for fringe benefits, $3,995 for travel, $2,553 for equipment and $3,500 for other program expenses.

It also creates a Behavioral Health Court Liaison position, in which the individual would do the following, according to agenda documents: coordinate behavioral health services across the criminal justice system; improve case processing; support statutory compliance; and enhance continuity of care for justice-involved individuals with behavioral health needs.

“We believe that this Behavioral Health Court Liaison is going to play an important role in helping to divert individuals from our criminal justice system who have mental health and other behavioral health issues,” said Judge Elaine Brown, who oversees the MHC, Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program and County Court At Law No. 3.

Commissioners also pulled two other items together along with the grant-funded position. These are related to amendments to multiple County Court at Law Mental Health Specialty Court Program contracts, as well as an Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program memorandum of understanding (MOU).

The County Court at Law Mental Health Specialty Court Program requested amendments to adjust the not-to-exceed amounts of the following contracts:

•   A Better Boat, LLC: $25,500 to $30,200

•   Axis of Mental Healthcare, PLLC: $98,750 to $114,420

•   C. Nichole Mueller-McMorris, LCSW: $9,500 to $8,400

•   Texas Helps (Evoke Wellness): $10,000 to $5,815

•   Moonstone Counseling, PLLC: $9,500 to $5,200

•   Nova Recovery Center: $37,750 to $33,500

•   Revive Recovery Sober Living: $13,980 to $8,610

•   Youth Advocate Programs, Inc.: $15,200 to $14,035

As for the Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program, the only change in cost that was requested in the amendments was for the contract with Philip Carolina from $10,000 to $12,500. However, the program did request the termination of the MOU with Dr. Vikram Mehra, as those services are covered under the MOU with Axis of Mental Healthcare, PLLC — which is at $64,800.

Commissioner Walt Smith said, looking at the numbers, there are some cuts of 35-40% to individual programs, leading him to question if Brown anticipates seeing them fluctuate based on the needs of specific cases or as a guide for the following year because specific types of services are not being used.

“We kind of look at where the need is and which programs and opportunities that we have are best utilized and that is why we move money around. We have been taking in a lot more high-need individuals lately into the court and so, because of that, we really need to make sure we have intensive services for those individuals to get them the help that they need to keep them out of our criminal justice system again,” the MHC judge responded. “With assistant outpatient treatment, some of those changes were actually because of the way that the MOUs were drafted and the fact that we are now using access to mental health care and they will use their own psychiatrist. They will pay the psychiatrist versus the county paying the psychiatrist directly, which is a better use, I think, of the funds that we have and I think it will actually benefit the county financially a lot more.”

There was a consensus across the dais on the importance of being able to offer these services to the individuals in the county who need it.

“I am really excited about this also because it provides or enhances that continuity of care for those individuals,” said commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe. “I like that we are [now] providing more specialized treatment and care for these individuals, which is needed. A lot of times, we don't get that specialty care that, even in our health department and other areas, individuals need and so, I support it.”

“Thank you for the diligent contract management of these services and thank you for keeping an eye on that and having to adjust when necessary and y’all have been great on staying on top of that so, I fully support your initiatives,” said commissioner Michelle Cohen.

In the future, Smith said that he would like to see more information presented on what each provider offers, as well as the MHC having the health department “looped in” on what those contracts are.

“... There are a number of these contractors, as well as our regional authority, that work with both y'all and our health department and having them involved in that process somehow to even just know that it's coming. I sit on the regional mental health board and I know if there is something coming through the health department, a contract with them or there is something that is pursuant to that, I'm aware of it,” he said.

The commissioner then recalled a couple of months ago, there was an item — unbeknownst to him — that had come from the court with the regional authority and he tried to defend what Hays County was doing, or at least try to understand, but was left with zero background on the matter.

Ultimately, the commissioners court unanimously approved the grant-funded Behavioral Health Court Liaison position, along with the requested contractual amendments.

These regulations are local orders designed to help in and act as a guiding source for the creation of neighborhoods, communities, commercial establishments, parks, roads and infrastructure, according to interim Development Services director Michael Berlad.

Hays County started implementing tracking subdivisions and platting regulations in the early 1970s, Berlad explained. These would later be revised with small amendments and minor updates every couple of years; however, a major rewrite has not occurred since 2013, he said, leading the county to begin the process last year.

This is also due to staying in compliance with Texas Local Government Code Chapter 232, which governs platting requirements for counties, as well as road, infrastructure, drainage and floodplain standards, the director noted. Rewriting rules ensures that the county is maintaining the most up-to-date standards with new laws, as well as keying in any environmental concerns that the community has.

“The county itself has grown vastly since 2013. There's been a lot of different legislative impacts, specifically in [20]19, [20]21 and [20]23,” Berlad said. “They kind of put some parts of our regulations kind of obsolete or really no longer applicable, since the state statute would supersede our local regulations and so, we decided it's time for an overhaul and refresh of our current regulations just to bring them up to a modern day standard.”

Hays County is taking a multi-phased approach when it comes to the rewrite. Third-party consultant Freese and Nichols Inc. was tasked with looking at the county’s current regulations and statutes as they exist today to create a diagnostic report.

“Our phase one approach was basically looking at it, seeing what was wrong, what was outdated and just kind of seeing where we stood. Then, they went ahead and looked at other counties adjacent to us to see how we compare with those other counties,” Berlad said.

Now is the second phase, which is the creation of the preliminary draft that uses information from the diagnostic report, as well as feedback from various stakeholders and the Hays County Commissioners Court.

The major changes that are going to come from the rewrite are for subdivisions, water and wastewater utilities, drainage and infrastructure, Berlad said.

According to the most recent presentation given to the commissioners court by Freese and Nichols Inc. July 7, the following are some of the recommendations from the diagnostic report findings.

Water availability and groundwater coordination

• Strengthens water availability certification procedures before final plat recording.

• Clarifies the role of coordination with the groundwater conservation district.

• Improves documentation expectations for water service and capacity.

Variances, waivers, appeals and enforcement

• Clarifies variance criteria, required findings and review bodies.

• Improves distinction between administrative interpretation, technical waiver and policy variance.

• Strengthens recordkeeping and conditions of approval.

Platting and subdivision standards

• Adds minor plat path for small, low-complexity subdivisions.

• Formalizes flag lot standards and limits ambiguity around lot access and frontage.

• Clarifies plat prerequisites, recording requirements and conditions of approval.

• Clarifies requirements for condominium plats.

Transportation, access and road standards

• Strengthens the link between plat approval and required public improvements.

• Clarifies when traffic, access, right-of-way and construction requirements must be resolved.

• Supports coordination with county transportation planning, cities and adjacent jurisdictions.

Conservation subdivisions and context-sensitive design

• Creates standards for conservation subdivision standards design, rather than ad hoc negotiation.

• Encourages clustering and preservation of meaningful open space where appropriate.

• Connects open-space design to drainage, water quality, habitat and rural character objectives.

• Establishes review expectations so conservation tools are not used as density or infrastructure loopholes.

As water has been a major concern for several members of the community, that is also noted in the draft rewrite. The direction, as presented by Freese and Nichols Inc., would be to do the following: consolidate expectations for drainage, stormwater, erosion control and floodplain review; better connect development layout to protect natural drainage systems and sensitive areas; support stronger construction phase controls and post-construction accountability; and improve coordination with regional water-quality objectives and watershed protection concerns.

A large component of the second phase is garnering feedback from the community, as there were multiple open houses held in September 2025 and July 2026. Residents are also still encouraged to provide their feedback on the draft regulations rewrite on the county’s website.

“The community has been very open and honest, which I think has been great. Getting that feedback means that hopefully, we get buy-in from the community through new regulations, but also through new processes and just trying overall to just make a more inclusive and transparent process,” Berlad said. “I know when you say government, everybody has a view of what government is and so, we want to make sure that we're here working for the people, we understand their concerns and we try to address those as best as possible.”

Berlad said he anticipates that the full rewrite will be finalized in the late fall or early winter, in which at that time, it would go before the Hays County Commissioners Court for adoption and an effective date.

To view the full preliminary draft of the development regulations, as well as provide feedback, visit www.hayscountytx.gov/565/Development-Regulations-Re-Write.

The San Marcos positive sample was collected from a site July 28 and the one in Buda was collected July 30, marking the fourth and fifth West Nile Virus-positive mosquito pool reported by Hays County during the 2026 season. Statewide, the Texas DSHS reported 905 positive mosquito pools in 2026. At this time, no human cases of West Nile Virus have been reported in Hays County.

“With summer at its peak, it is that time of year when people and mosquitoes tend to interact more. Findings this week serve as a reminder that people should take steps to protect themselves while outside by taking simple measures to reduce the risk of mosquito bites,” said Nick VandenBroek, environmental health specialist II. “Wearing lightly colored and loose-fitted long-sleeved shirts and pants, applying EPA-approved insect repellent and draining any unwanted standing water around your homes are simple ways to reduce the risk of possible mosquito bites while enjoying the summer.”

HCDS conducts mosquito surveillance from May through November to monitor mosquito populations and mosquito-borne diseases. Mosquitoes are collected using standardized traps and then, sent to the Texas DSHS for identification and arboviral testing. This surveillance helps HCDS track mosquito activity, identify breeding areas and guide prevention and control efforts.

Mosquitoes are present year-round, but are most active from May through November. Infected mosquitoes can transmit West Nile Virus through bites. Most infected people — 80% — have no symptoms, while about 20% may develop fever, headache, body aches, rash or other flu-like symptoms. Adults ages 50 and older and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe illness. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention.

There is currently no treatment for West Nile Virus.

The best way to prevent WNV is to reduce mosquito populations where people live, work and play. Residents can reduce their risk of mosquito bites and West Nile Virus infection by following the three Ds: Defend, Dress and Drain.

• DEFEND: Whenever outside, use EPA-approved repellents and always follow label instructions.

• DRESS: Wear long, loose and light-colored clothing outside.

• DRAIN: Drain or treat all standing water in and around the home or workplace where mosquitoes could lay eggs.

“Protecting the health and safety of our residents is one of Hays County's highest priorities,” said Hays County Judge and director of Emergency Management Ruben Becerra. “While we have not had any reported human cases of West Nile Virus this year, this positive mosquito sample in another part of Hays County is an important reminder that prevention starts at home. I encourage everyone to take simple precautions like using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing and eliminating standing water around their property. By working together, we can help reduce the risk of mosquito-borne illness and keep our communities healthy.”

For more information regarding mosquito surveillance, visit the Hays County Development Services website at www.hayscountytx.gov/493/Mosquito-Surveillance-Program or call (512) 393-2150. Visit the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov/west-nile-virus/index.html for more information on the West Nile Virus.

In November 2025, Buda Police Department officers took a report from a local recreation vehicle (RV) supplier involving an individual purchasing an RV with fraudulent information. It was only fully realized by the business after the individual left the store with the RV. 

A Buda PD investigation revealed Goodson was producing fake checks, using a fake driver’s license, as well as a Texas State Department of Health Medical Officer badge along with a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs card to apply for and obtain credit for the purchase of recreational vehicles. Investigators with Buda PD learned of victims in Seattle, Washington, Lake Jackson, Texas, Snohomish, Washington, Tacoma, Washington and Kingsland, Texas. 

The information leading to the Kingsland location connected Buda investigators to the Heart of Texas Auto Theft Task Force. 

A multi-month investigation already initiated by the Heart of Texas Auto Theft Task Force led to the identification of suspects in a large-scale trailer theft and fraud operation. The task force suspected the individuals involved were responsible for more than $150,000 in stolen recreational trailers, utility trailers, and equipment across Central Texas. This is in addition to the estimated well over $100,000 in credit fraudulently obtained for the purchase of trailers and equipment.  

The investigation spanned the counties of Burnet, Williamson, Blanco, Limestone, Brazoria and Llano, as well as the cities of Buda, Kyle, Burnet, Georgetown, Del Rio and Marble Falls. Thefts and recovery of stolen items occurred in the cities of Burnet, Marble Falls, Kingsland, Georgetown, Buda, Mexia and Blanco, along with confirmed out-of-state ties to Washington and Idaho.  

After obtaining surveillance video of the truck involved in these transactions, investigators were able to document unique identifiers on the truck and search an automatic license plate reader (ALPR) system. The vehicle was located on the system and showed hits in multiple counties. Once the vehicle was fully identified, investigators were able to connect multiple cases and recover stolen trailers and equipment valued at over $100,000. This technique also allowed the team to identify the suspects as Goodson and Jorge Ramirez. In turn, arrest warrants were obtained for the individuals.

In October 2025, officers with the Burnet Police Department responded to a local RV supplier for fraudulent purchase of an RV with a fake check. Goodson was dressed in medical scrubs claiming to be both a medical doctor and a law enforcement officer who showed them a badge. The case was then referred to the task force.

Then, in November 2025, deputies with the Blanco County Sheriff’s Office took a report for an individual who sold a tractor to Goodson via social media and learned he used a fake check. The image taken of Goodson by the victim was sent to the task force, who identified Goodson. A coordinated investigation was conducted with assistance from surrounding agencies. As a result, investigators with the Blanco County Sheriff’s Office obtained four arrest warrants: two for Goodson and two for his accomplice, Jorge Ramirez. The charges were enhanced due to the victim being over the age of 65. 

Also in November 2025, Goodson used a forged cashier’s check to purchase a mower from a local business in Marble Falls for almost $5,000. A fraudulent Agricultural Exemption Number was also used to avoid paying sales tax on the purchase. At another location, Goodson used a fraudulent cashier’s check to purchase almost $2,500 worth of furniture. Goodson was identified as the suspect through cooperation with the Heart of Texas Auto Theft Task Force. Arrest warrants were then issued for Goodson. The charges were enhanced due to the age of the victim. 

On Dec. 27, 2025, Goodson attempted to purchase an RV with a fake cashier’s check at an RV supplier in Kyle, Texas. The salesperson called law enforcement right away and officers with the Kyle Police Department discovered Goodson was in possession of several different pieces of identifying information for an elderly person. Kyle Police Department officers arrested Goodson for outstanding warrants from Burnet County and Marble Falls Police Department as well as their charge of being in possession of identifying information of another. After being booked into the Hays County jail, he was served with the Buda PD arrest warrants.  

Under the supervision of Hays County Prosecutor Thomas Stevenson, Goodson was indicted by a grand jury and soon convicted for the following charges in Hays County:

• Fraud use/possession of identifying information of elderly, F3 (Kyle PD)
• Theft of property $30,000-$150,000 (Buda PD), four years
• Forgery of a financial instrument (Buda PD), four years
• False statement to obtain property or credit $30,000-$150,000, (Buda PD), four years
• Fraud use/possession of identifying information <5 items of elderly (Buda PD), four years

The other charges outside of Hays County include:

• Forgery of a financial instrument enhanced (Burnet County), 15 years
• Forgery of a financial instrument involving elderly (Burnet County), 15 years
• Theft of property from elderly (Burnet County), 15 years
• Theft of property enhanced (Blanco County), 15 years

“This case is another example of our officers going above and beyond in a collaborative effort to both hold criminals accountable and bring peace of mind to the victims,” Buda PD Chief Bo Kidd. “This great work, from the streets to the courthouse, will ensure this person will not victimize more businesses and individuals in our community.” 

Marble Falls Police Department Chief of Police Trisha Ratliff said: “This investigation is a testament to what can be accomplished when law enforcement agencies work together toward a common goal. Complex fraud investigations often cross jurisdictional lines, making collaboration essential. Thanks to the dedication, professionalism and seamless coordination of all agencies involved, the responsible individual was held accountable and justice was obtained for the victims. We are grateful for the outstanding teamwork demonstrated throughout this investigation and we remain committed to protecting our community from those who seek to exploit others for personal gain."

While Goodson was sentenced to a total of 80 years, it is up to each judicial body to have the time served either concurrently or consecutively. 

Goodson’s accomplice has been arrested and is facing a 12-year sentence for theft.

Geographically, the naturally-occurring, spring-fed river’s history begins long ago, said Wait, when there was simply an ocean, until a giant earthquake occurred, forming the Hill Country. The humans came later, but still inhabited the location for centuries, spanning back 12,000-13,000 years ago, confirmed by Clovis points found by archeologists in the area. These are stone spearheads known to be crafted by Paleo-Americans — some of the oldest humans in North America, Wait explained.

Spring Lake is the river’s headwaters, serving as a direct connection to the San Marcos Springs. Located on the historical Spanish route El Camino Real de los Tejas, or the King’s Highway, this and the area surrounding it is one of the nation’s “persistently inhabited places,” as there weren’t any settlements in the area for a long period of time, but travelers and traders often visited, due to the water source.

Early Spanish explorers actually believed that they had discovered the Fountain of Youth, said Wait, most likely because of the remarkable experience: bubbling water at Spring Lake, with consistent 72-degree water. Though, another group of individuals have a different connection to the headwaters.

According to the deputy director, the Coahuiltecan people believe the springs and the Balcones Fault line — seen at the bottom of the springs — to be the origin of their story.

Ancient cave pictographs on the White Shaman in Comstock depict five dots, all of which line up with the springs of Central Texas — Barton Springs, Comal Springs, San Pedro Springs, San Antonio Springs and, finally, the San Marcos Springs — said Wait. The latter has imagery coming from it, which has been interpreted as the creation of the Coahuiltecan people.

“This space is a sacred space. People [have been] coming here for thousands of years. We’re not even allowed to dig more than six inches out here without having the Center for Archeological Studies out here because we’re going to find something no matter where we dig. So, I think San Marcos is very unique with that,” she said. “We have a set of springs that have never gone dry.”

The river eventually had settlers in the 1800s, when General Edward Burleson set up his homesteads at the headwaters of the river, said Wait. He would be the one to introduce a resolution to establish Hays County, according to the Texas State Historical Commission.

Burleson eventually sold his home to the Rogers family, who is known for constructing Aquarena Springs, the beloved theme park.

Aquarena Springs opened in 1951 and boasted a hotel, glass bottom boats, a submarine theater, an Alpine Swiss Sky Ride and, most notably, Ralph the Swimming Pig and mermaids aka Aquamaids.

“I think in the '70s [and] '80s people really got active, going outside, doing all these weird things, like coming to Aquarena Springs, seeing the swimming pig, seeing the mermaid shows, [but] in the early '90s, people started questioning some things and that’s when things changed here at Spring Lake,” stated Wait.

Some may assume that the river and springs are fed through the Austin portion of the Edwards Aquifer, but Waits noted that it is actually a segment in the San Antonio region. Because of this, infrastructure in the Southwest directly affects the springs.

She noted that the environmentalists realized that the water needed to have protections, due to endangered species. Wait shared that this, the San Antonio infrastructure boom and the oversaturation of amusement parks, such as SeaWorld San Antonio and Six Flags Fiesta Texas, likely contributed to the eventual closure of the theme park in 1996.

Texas State University purchased the park in 1994 and opted to shift its focus to education, rather than entertainment.

Although there have been more efforts to protect the river and the species that call it home, pollution became a large issue as the university began to grow.

A survey done by the organization revealed that 95% of the student population chose the school based on the river.

“This water is supposed to be very clean. We always used to say, ‘This water is 10 times cleaner than EPA standards,’” recalled the deputy director. “I don’t know if that’s correct anymore, but looking at [a 2016] report, there’s all sorts of things in Spring Lake. It’s antidepressants, [per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs)], a cocaine derivative, birth control, all that stuff is already in the water. Whenever it rains, things get washed into the recharge area [of the aquifer], get settled down and that gets pushed up in the springs.”

The test mentioned was in 2016, but there are still new issues arising, such as lighters or vapes that are found in the water source. She recalled being in her 20s at the river and seeing students throw cans in and laugh: “There definitely needs to be a little bit more of a reform on education on liberal stewardship.”

This year, the city of San Marcos opted to have restricted access to Rio Vista Park, which Wait hopes will help with littering. In turn, the species that reside in the river will have a safer home.

“It’s definitely a pretty healthy ecosystem, whenever you take away all the human traffic. I don’t think the solution is to get rid of recreation. People need to have those kinds of connections to feel something for nature. So, I definitely think recreation is fine; we just have to start educating people,” Wait emphasized.

Spring Lake provides a critical habitat for endangered species, as they prefer the 72-degree clean water, correct pH levels and fast currents, all unique to the San Marcos River. These species include the Fountain Darter, San Marcos Salamander and Texas Wild Rice, said the deputy director.

Those at the Meadows Center and other organizations are constantly learning more about the river, according to Wait. Currently, there is a study going on about the Fountain Darter and a continuous Upper San Marcos Habitat Conservation Plan to manage the environment and conduct plan surveys, remove trash, plant new strands of native species and more.

“I think the best thing is to leave it better than we found it. So, picking up after yourself whenever you leave the river, packing out what you brought in … Just know that you are not the only one using the river. There are other people, but then, there’s also fish and wildlife that depend on that water,” concluded Wait, adding that community members should fight against housing developments and data centers that take away from the springs.

To learn more, visit www.meadowscenter.txst.edu.

With more than 1,000 attendees last year, the annual fair provides families with access to services from the county and supporting community partners, completely free of cost. These include vaccinations for children who qualify under the Texas Vaccines for Children program, hearing and vision screenings, food and paletas, haircuts, booster seats, backpacks and free school materials, while supplies last, according to a news release. Birth certificate printing will also be available on-site for people born in Texas for $23, provided by the Hays County Clerk’s Office Vital Records Division.

Free vaccinations will be available for children 18 years of age or younger who meet at least one of the following qualifications: enrolled in Medicaid, underinsured, uninsured, American Indian or Alaska Native or enrolled in the Children’s Health Insurance Program. A parent or legal guardian must accompany the child and provide printed vaccination records for the individual receiving the vaccine. To expedite the process, the Health Department asks that parents pre-register the children they plan on bringing to get vaccinated at the fair by filling out the following form: forms.cloud.microsoft/g/4xHaE42JUj.

“As we prepare for a new school year, we’re reminded that the heart of public health is prevention,” said Matthew Gonzales, HCHD director. “Our Back-to-School Health Fair is a powerful example of what happens when a community unites to support families. By bringing essential services together in a fun and accessible way, we’re helping remove barriers to health care and underscoring the ongoing need for expanded access to medical services, affordable housing and other resources that strengthen the well-being of our community.”

In addition to the services provided by Hays County, the fair will feature a large 40-vendor resource fair, giveaways, games and activities for the public, continued the release. Attendees will also be able to access information on healthcare, housing and a wide range of social services to support families throughout the year.

“This annual event shines the light on our community’s commitment to the health and well-being of all Hays County residents and it just keeps growing,” added Kate Esqueda, Community Health Services manager. “From months of planning and the day-of responsibilities to the sponsorship of free services and giveaways, the Back‑to‑School Health Fair is made possible by the incredible organizations and community members who ensure that every service is available at no cost to our families. Their support helps set our students up for success as they begin the new school year.”

The health department clinic is open: 8 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; 8 -10 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. Wednesday; and 8 a.m. to noon Friday. The clinic operates from 8 a.m. to noon and 1-6 p.m. the first Monday of every month. While walk-ins are welcome, appointments are preferred. To schedule an appointment, call 512-393-5520.

The positive samples were collected from two separate sites in San Marcos July 7 and these are the first two West Nile Virus-positive mosquito traps reported in Hays County during the 2026 season.

As of July 5, statewide, the DSHS reported 462 positive mosquito traps. At this time, no human cases of WNV have been reported in Hays County.

Mosquitoes are present year-round, but are most active from May through November. Infected mosquitoes can transmit WNV through bites.

Most infected people, or 80%, have no symptoms, while about 20% may develop fever, headache, body aches, rash or other flu-like symptoms. Adults aged 50 and older and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe illness. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention.

There is currently no treatment for West Nile Virus.

The best way to prevent WNV is to reduce mosquito populations where people live, work and play. Residents can reduce their risk of mosquito bites and WNV infection by following the three Ds: Defend, Dress and Drain.

• DEFEND: Whenever outside, use EPA-approved repellents and always follow label instructions.

• DRESS: Wear long, loose and light-colored clothing outside.

• DRAIN: Drain or treat all standing water in and around the home or workplace where mosquitoes could lay eggs.

HCDS conducts mosquito surveillance from May through November to monitor mosquito populations and mosquito-borne diseases. Mosquitoes are collected using standardized traps and then, sent to the Texas DSHS for identification and arboviral testing. This surveillance helps HCDS track mosquito activity, identify breeding areas and guide prevention and control efforts.

“Hays County is committed to protecting the health and well-being of our residents and we’re staying proactive in monitoring mosquito activity across the county. With traps testing positive for West Nile Virus, it’s important for all of us to take simple steps to stay safe — use insect repellent, wear long sleeves when outdoors and empty any standing water around your home,” said Hays County Judge and Director of Emergency Management Ruben Becerra. “I want to thank our Health Department and Development Services teams for their continued efforts to keep our community informed and protected and we appreciate our residents for doing their part, as well. Together, we can help reduce the risk and keep Hays County safe and healthy.”

For more information regarding mosquito surveillance, visit the Hays County Development Services website or call (512) 393-2150. More information on human risk can be found on the Hays County Health Department's Epidemiology & Disease Prevention website at www.hayscountytx.gov/392/Epidemiology-Disease-Prevention.

In the early morning hours of July 20, 2018, a fire at the Iconic Village apartment complex claimed the lives of the following five young adults: Dru Estes, 20, of San Antonio; Belinda Moats, 21, of Big Wells; Haley Michele Frizzell, 19, of San Angelo; David Angel Ortiz, 21, of Pasadena; and James Phillip Miranda, 23, of Mount Pleasant.

Several others were also injured and more than 200 residents were displaced. The fire was later determined to have been intentionally set and the investigation remains active.

A dedicated tip line has been established to make it easier for the public to share information.

Anyone with information related to the fire is encouraged to call 512-393-7388. Callers are asked to report anything they know, including things they may have seen or heard in the days surrounding the fire, conversations they may have had or any other information that could assist investigators.

“We believe someone knows something that can help,” said San Marcos Fire Marshal Jonathan Henderson. “Even small details or conversations that may have seemed insignificant at the time could prove valuable today.”

"Eight years have passed, but our commitment to finding answers has not changed," Henderson continued. "We remain dedicated to seeking justice for the victims, their families, the survivors and everyone whose lives were forever changed by this tragedy. Someone knows something and we are asking them to come forward."

The investigation remains ongoing and no additional details are being released at this time.

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is the state agency responsible for rabies prevention, surveillance and control. Under Chapter 826 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, each county must appoint a Local Rabies Control Authority (LRCA). In Hays County, the Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Division serves in this role, responding to rabies concerns involving wildlife, livestock and pets.

Hays County Health Department staff are also working with state partners and community-based organizations to implement rabies prevention strategies, including outreach and vaccination efforts for household pets.

“As the county continues to develop its role in supporting the welfare and safety of our animals and residents, it’s important that we address the current outbreak affecting our local wildlife. The health department continues to provide opportunities for residents to receive free or low-cost vaccines, including the rabies vaccine, for their cats and dogs,” said Matthew Gonzales, Hays County Health Department director. “The department will continue to work with local rabies control authorities, including the Department of State Health Services, to monitor the spread of rabies in our community and determine the implementation of best practices, with the court's direction.”

As multiple Central Texas counties experience a rise in rabies cases, Hays County has been particularly affected by increased prevalence among fox populations, prompting officials to classify the situation as an outbreak. The commissioners court emphasized its commitment to safeguarding residents, animals and the local ecosystem by supporting proven prevention strategies.

The resolution highlights the success of the Oral Rabies Vaccination Program (ORVP), established in 1995 by DSHS in coordination with federal, state and local partners. The ORVP has played a major role in reducing rabies among coyotes, dogs and gray foxes in various regions of Texas.

In its action, the commissioners court:

• Expressed strong support for DSHS efforts to seek assistance from federal, state and local agencies to conduct oral rabies vaccination and other prevention activities, including quarantine enforcement.

• Requested that the governor and Texas Legislature consider adding the rabies outbreak to the call of a special session if conditions warrant.

• Urged approval of funding requested by DSHS for rabies prevention and treatment efforts, including support for local public health initiatives.

"Rabies is a serious public health issue that affects not only wildlife, but also our pets, livestock and families," said commissioner Morgan Hammer. "By supporting state and local prevention efforts, including vaccination programs and public education, Hays County is taking a proactive approach to protecting our community. This resolution demonstrates our commitment to working with our partners to address the outbreak and help keep both residents and animals safe."

Copies of the approved resolution will be sent to Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, members of the Texas Legislature representing Hays County, DSHS and other relevant agencies.

Kelly Engram, a professor within the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Texas State University, recalled that the last time she had “good hair” was in her late teenage years because she was diagnosed with Hashimoto's, a thyroid autoimmune disease, when she was in her 40s. One of the symptoms of Hashimoto’s is hair loss; Engram was going through a “perfect storm” of significant weight loss and perimenopause that were not helping her grow her hair back.

Engram went through a lot of frustration and trial and error, struggling to find a wig that made her feel like herself again, but experiences where she was persuaded into wearing something that she was not used to, leaving her voice unheard.

“I was used to wearing a short blonde pixie and then, [the wig salon] kind of talked me into a really long brunette wig that was completely foreign to me and looking back on it, that was a completely wrong thing to do,” she recalled.

Through her experiences and after doing her own personal research, the professor decided to use her skills to create wigs and open the “online door” to sell wigs in May 2025. She has sold approximately 600 wigs all over the world, with clients in Australia, Europe and Pakistan.

However, she was missing the in-person experience with clients, leading her to open a brick-and-mortar location — Prairie Fire Hair — in San Marcos. There, she will be able to do more in-person consultations with an in-house colorist and stylist beside her, as well as host monthly workshops and support groups at no cost.

All that Engram is going to offer would be geared to welcoming women, who are dealing with all of the challenges, such as the feeling of loss of identity, related to hair loss into an uplifting and caring community.

“Wearing a wig is so incredibly difficult, but at the same time, utterly life-changing. I have had women who tell me like their lives have completely changed from wearing wigs; they feel like they've gotten themselves back. I actually had this one woman who I had a consultation with and she was sobbing. [She] just basically told me that she was to the point where she felt like she just wanted to end it all because she just didn't feel like worthy of existing. She just didn't feel like herself anymore. I can attest to that feeling myself and then, I've heard stories over and over again,” Engram said. “Wigs aren't really normalized in our society. People can wear extensions and that's no big deal and you can do all of these things to change your appearance, but wig-wearing is still sort of like a taboo thing. When you can get together with other people who are also wearing wigs, it is just so empowering to have that support around you.”

Prairie Fire Hair is also filling a gap, Engram said, as she was invited to a conference for a medical group in San Antonio, where she learned that people have been looking for a wig resource in the local area — which includes Hays County — for years.

Engram will be holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Prairie Fire Hair, located at 2108 Hunter Road, Suite 106, San Marcos, at 10 a.m. Friday, July 10, followed by an open house from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., where visitors will have an opportunity to tour the studio, learn about wig options and services, meet the founder and enter prize drawings for premium hair care packages. Then, on Saturday, July 11, a complimentary Wig 101 Workshop will be offered to learn about selecting the right wig, proper fit and more; attendance is free, but advance registration is required.

To learn more about the business and to register for workshops, visit www.prairiefirehair.com.

The idea to bring the university’s 17th intercollegiate sport began three-and-a-half years ago, said TXST President Kelly Damphousse, when an old colleague reached out to encourage the start of the program. This same colleague — who was the head women’s gymnastics coach at the University of Oklahoma — suggested that Damphousse begin the program during his tenure as chancellor at Arkansas State University, but he was unsuccessful in the endeavor. Now, years later, he’s able to achieve this goal by providing an opportunity for all Texas D1 women gymnasts for the first time.

According to athletics director Donald Coryell, TXST currently has a club gymnastics program on campus, but hasn’t had a NCAA recognized division team since 1986, when its D2 program was discontinued. The new team will consist of students under a scholarship, follow the rules and regulations of NCAA and participate in the PAC-12 conference, which TXST has recently joined.

The conference is one of the oldest in the country, with traditions, history and championships, said Coryell. It features nine other institutions, four of which will be participating in D1 gymnastics — Utah State University, Southern Utah University, Oregon State University and Boise State University.

It is within this conference that TXST will host its own gymnastic meets, as well as travel to other states to participate in competitions. The pair have high hopes for these events to have more than 10,000 attendees and provide a cultural experience for the Hays County community.

But before the university can begin making these plans, it first has to build the foundation of the program, said the president and director. TXST has created a Steering Committee composed of alumni, staff members from the Athletics Department, faculty members, gold medal Olympians and gymnastics community members, said Damphousse, that will guide the institution on funding, infrastructure, staffing and general guidelines for the program.

“We’re receiving a tremendous amount of support, not only in the state of Texas, but across the country right now with this announcement and there is a lot of stuff for us to figure out,” said Coryell. “There’ll be internal support provided, as well as what we need to do as a university to make sure that this program is going to be successful. So, we’ve really got two areas that we’ll focus on: our internal support and then, our external support.”

This internal support will include hiring a new head coach. The perfect candidate, the director explained, will be “somebody that is a great person, somebody that we’re going to enjoy working with and somebody that’s always going to have the best interest of the student athlete in mind when they come to work everyday.” Once this individual is hired, they can begin working on how to recruit a maximum of 20 athletes needed for the team and the direction to move forward in.

The separate factors that still need to come into play is what led leadership to strive for a spring 2028 launch, though this is still an “aggressive” goal, said Coryell.

“We think there’s a chance here to compete for national championships,” Coryell emphasized. “There’s so many unbelievable gymnasts that are competing across the country at other institutions right now — Olympians. The history of gymnastics in the state of Texas — maybe the best athletes in the world come out of Texas — and so, for us, it’s just an opportunity to compete at the highest level and to bring a whole other level of eyes on this wonderful university to see all the great things that we’re doing here.”

The president echoed this same sentiment, noting that TXST has received an outstanding reaction, with this news, allowing him to shed light on its other achievements, including: it’s one of the fastest-growing universities in the state and across the country; it’ll be a Research 1 university by the end of the year; graduation rates are beginning to set records and more.

At this time, the institution is not considering a D1 men’s gymnastics team. Instead, it is focusing on the void it is able to fill for women.

“Women’s gymnastics is one of the fastest-growing spectator sports in the world. When you watch the Olympics, the number one viewed summer Olympic sport is women’s gymnastics. So, as Don mentioned earlier, there’s 40,000 young women who have not graduated high school right now who are competing in women’s gymnastics and wanting to go on to D1 competition and we want to serve those students,” said Damphousse.

“This is a win for us and it’s a win for them,” Coryell concluded.

For more information, visit www.txst.com/sports/gymnastics.

This follows previous tabling that occurred Feb. 24 by the court amid discussion surrounding the rapidly diminishing water resources in both the county and Texas as a whole, as previously reported by the Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch. Judge Ruben Becerra announced his intent for a moratorium on future developments that requested more than 20,000 gallons of water per day, in an effort to allow the county to evaluate impacts and ensure long-term water security for residents and agriculture.

At the time, the pause was tabled by the court due to legal concerns, which have been brought forward again June 9.

Along with a 180-day temporary pause on the review and approval for high-water-use and large-scale industrial projects, the resolution, sponsored by Becerra, would also:

• Direct the Office of Emergency Management and county legal counsel to identify lawful tools under Gov. Greg Abbott’s drought disaster proclamation

• Call for a joint regional environmental review

• Formally petition for a special legislative session to increase county authority to protect groundwater resources and regulate the water impacts of high-water-use projects

• Authorize the creation of the Hays County Water Advisory Task Force

Some residents, like Liz Gajdos-Potolicchio (Sumter), who previously served as a Hays County judge, emphasized the need to protect water resources.

“The people here really are suffering in terms of their water usage. They’re conserving as much as they can. We are losing water every day to new development. Our aquifers are being stressed. There are many reasons a pause is necessary,” she said.

Lara Long, a Wimberley resident, shared in her submitted comment diminishing water levels in the Blanco River, as well as Jacob’s Well that has ceased flowing and “whether one views these conditions as a result of drought, increasing demand or a combination of factors, they demonstrate the importance of careful planning and stewardship of our water resources.”

While she wants to support this type of resolution to protect water resources, commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe raised questions as it relates to the legal side.

“I received this proclamation at 3:30 p.m. yesterday. I hadn’t had a really good chance to review it and talk to legal about it. I don’t know if legal has even seen it,” she said. “What I don’t want to do is … We talked about the cost to our citizens and we know that other counties have been sued [for] adopting resolutions that they had no authority to do. That concerns me. Does it concern me more than the preservation of our natural resources? I don’t know. We need to consider that and see what the best direction is to take.”

In response, Assistant Criminal District Attorney Chase Young noted that one of the big issues he saw with the resolution is related to the petition for a special legislative session to increase the county's authority to protect groundwater resources and regulation of water impacts from the projects. However, he explained, counties only have the authorities that they are granted.

This, along with the county requiring studies that it does not have the authority to do, could pose the same legal risks as a moratorium, Young said.

Ingalsbe then asked if there is a possibility to review and make any changes to the resolution as it currently stands, to which Becerra said that he is “happy to listen” to any suggestions.

He also noted that, while there has been an idea circulating that his pursuit to pass the resolution was for a “political stunt,” he purposely did not bring it forward to the court again until after the election.

Both commissioners Morgan Hammer and Walt Smith highlighted that Hill County, north of Waco, approved a moratorium on data center developments and received a more than $100 million lawsuit within two days, leading them to repeal it within a week.

Smith also recalled back in 2020 when he and former commissioner Lon Shell brought forward the petition to sue Kinder Morgan, who wanted to build a pipeline across Hays County. He compared that resolution to the current one on the table, stating that the difference is, under the Kinder Morgan lawsuit, they felt like they could make some impact, but he has concerns on some aspects for the current proposal for a temporary pause.

“We knew it was a losing battle, but we did it in conjunction with the city of Kyle, who stood with us and I felt like I would file that resolution today if we were facing a similar situation,” he said.

His major concerns relate to the county’s requirement to act on specific applications within 30 days, in which the county could be forced to approve them, as well as the impact on small, local businesses.

Ultimately, the vote was tabled to the next meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 23, in order to give the Hays County Commissioners Court and legal counsel more time to review the proposal.

To listen to the full discussion, visit www.hayscountytx.gov/commissioners-court-live-stream.

The Hays Commons development has been an ongoing discussion for several months. As previously reported by the Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch, the 340.88-acre lot sits at the intersection of FM 1626 and SH 45 in both Hays and Travis counties.

Before discussion, the court noted that 73 residents sent in similar letters against the item, citing water and environmental concerns.

Commissioner Walt Smith, who sponsored the item, began by stating that a variance was brought forward by the Hays County judge three times over the last several months: “We as a court made it a choice in the past that we would not do variances of this scale, without some type of development agreement (DA).”

Because of this, he shared that he sat down with the developer to “try to work out something for the general good of the public.”

Agenda documents detail that the DA would include a single-family residential and commercial subdivision.

However, the developer's presentation stated that the vote is not whether the development will be built; it is how it will be structured. For example, the DA outlines that there will be more than 200 acres of open space — protecting the site’s most sensitive areas — with 346 residential lots, one commercial lot and one amenity lot. But without the agreement, it will be entirely residential.

Additionally, the DA includes roadways, drainage/stormwater facilities, utilities, water lines, wastewater lines and related storage facilities under Hays County's terms. The water supply, for instance, will be centralized, up to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality standards and use the Lower Trinity well. Without the agreement, there will be more than 100 individual private wells using the Edwards Aquifer. There will also be multiple creek crossings and a floodplain only for homesites.

“If at the end of the day, the public has spoken and doesn’t want to move forward with the development agreement, I’m absolutely fine with that. If it does come back, I will make sure it comes back more than 30 days from now, so that if there is any additional input that is needed or any additional suggestions, you have time to consider that,” said Smith.

The commissioner then discussed the lack of tools provided to counties by the state, citing the passage of the Death Star law in 2023, which prevented cities and counties from enforcing ordinances that went against state law. Despite this, Hays County has been listed as one of the most stringent amongst counties in a study done by the Edwards Aquifer, continued Smith, adding that this is due to the ability to create customized DAs.

“We use the tools we have in a different way and that’s how we use enforcement,” he said. “We tried to use those limited tools as best we can to address these things … At the end of the day, we need more authority. We can’t do everything that we would like to do, but I have to tell you: I hope and I pray that during this legislative session, whenever these bills come up that would give authority to counties to address some of the concerns that you have, I hope and pray that y’all take that one day — like you took today to talk to us — and go talk to [the legislature].”

Smith then motioned to table the item for 30 days.

Commissioner Morgan Hammer spoke up after, stating that she believes the DA is “incredibly flawed,” so unless the developer is willing to completely redo it, she would rather vote on whether the court should authorize the execution of the DA or not.

“I’m going to challenge commissioner Smith’s idea that we have no power, that you should go to the capital instead [and] join him as the lone resident that goes to the capital. Join him, please, and plead for power for this court. Let’s test it,” said Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra. “Call the vote to cancel this development agreement.”

Smith protested, stating that he already made a motion to table it, but because he didn’t receive a second, the motion failed.

Becerra requested for a roll call vote to cancel the DA, which ended 3-1, with Smith dissenting. Commissioner Michelle Cohen was not in attendance.

“Your theory just failed. Try again at the capital. These people are watching and they care,” concluded the judge.

Due to the fact that the initial vote called by Becerra didn’t have the corect procedural language, another was taken after executive session. The judge motioned to deny the DA, with a second from commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe. The cancellation passed 3-1, with Smith dissenting.

Although the DA was canceled, Hays Commons' development will continue under standard county regulations.

The Hays County Commissioners Court will meet next June 23.

MHC serves individuals 17 years of age or older who have a diagnosable mental health disorder and a pending charge in Hays County. All potential participants complete a structured referral process and are reviewed by the MHC team to ensure eligibility.

Tristan, 22, of Dripping Springs, is one such individual who has completed the program and will be graduating in this summer’s class. A bodybuilding enthusiast who also enjoys fishing, snowboarding and drawing, Tristan said he started partying in high school, occasionally using recreational marijuana to recover from bodybuilding. After going through a mental health crisis, he was arrested and referred to the MHC by his attorney.

“I was going downhill,” Tristan said, noting how he saw an opportunity in all the resources the county offered to participants.

According to MHC Judge Elaine Brown, the county has executed several contracts to provide counseling, case management, housing and transportation services to the participants. Additional community-based resources are identified and utilized by the court to assist participants.

The program offers 12 months of services for misdemeanors, with a possible three-month extension, and 18 months for felony offenses, also with a possible three-month extension.

Success in the MHC is measured by personal growth, stability and self-sufficiency. Participants work toward goals, such as returning to school, securing employment, establishing stable housing and strengthening family relationships, according to a county news release.

“Many utilize services, such as residential treatment, sober living and peer support,” said Brown. “All these services work hand-in-hand to support their mental health, physical health and help them gain confidence in working towards their personalized goals.”

To complete the program, participants must stabilize their mental health, including consistent medication adherence — if prescribed — maintain sobriety from drugs and alcohol, achieve the goals in their individualized mental health and/or substance use treatment plan and follow all court orders, probation conditions and MHC program guidelines.

Every graduate who has completed the program has a unique story of perseverance and transformation, the release stated.

“I really love working with all the people in the [MHC]. A lot of times, you think of these types of programs as people just doing their job, but I didn’t even see it as a program. I saw these people as friends — someone who is actually trying to help you … I had everything hanging over my head and [the MHC] was like a breath of fresh air,” Tristan added, noting that he now has a job and is working out again with healthy recovery methods. “It’s definitely changed my life for the better; it gave me confidence and really helped me decipher and resolve what happened and also, how I’ve been able to bounce back from it.”

This commencement ceremony celebrates not only the graduates’ achievements, but also their dedication and commitment to rebuilding their lives. Each participant's success reflects their individual goals and the support of a dedicated treatment team walking beside them throughout their journey.

The public is invited to attend the ceremony, which will take place from 3-4:30 p.m. June 15 at the Hays County Elections Building, located at 120 Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos. Alumni and two graduates will speak and there will be a special performance.

For additional details about the ceremony or the Mental Health Court program, contact the Hays County Mental Health Court Office at 512-757-0795 or by email at kaimi.mattila@hayscountytx.gov.

Founded in 2018 by Deryk Van Brunt, DrPH and Marcos Athanasoulis, DrPH, CredibleMind provides a complete population-based mental health ecosystem, including analytics reporting on service needs, use and outcomes. Focused on early intervention and prevention of mental health issues, CredibleMind offers more than 10,000 evidence-based, science-backed resources that provide users with credible self-care options to improve their overall well-being without medical intervention.

The partnership will make CredibleMind an accessible digital resource for Hays County’s rapidly growing population of more than 300,000 community members, stated a Hays County news release.Expanding access to preventive and early-intervention mental health resources remains a priority for county leaders.

“Our community members deserve accessible and efficient ways to find resources that support their wellbeing,” said Matthew Gonzales, Hays County Health Department director. “The formal partnership between CredibleMind and Hays County is one of many steps taken by the Hays County Commissioners Court and Health Department to expand meaningful behavioral health resources for our community.”

The Hays County Health Department coordinates and delivers behavioral health services on behalf of the county. Behavioral Health Coordinator, Dr. Isabella “Izzy” Vigil, PhD, works with internal and external stakeholders to strengthen behavioral health systems, expand access to care and develop community-based mental health initiatives. The creation of the Hays County Resource Directory, community wellness events, cross-sector partnerships and now, the implementation of Behavioral Health 360 are among the initiatives led through this division.

CredibleMind is not a replacement for clinical care or emergency services, but serves as an accessible first step for individuals seeking tools, education and local support resources.

“We are facing a mental health crisis in our country and the demand for mental health services is higher than ever,” said Brunt. “We are thrilled to partner with the Hays County Health Department and provide on-demand, reliable self-care and mental health resources to help community members improve their overall well-being and flourish.”

Community members can access the platform at www.hayscountytx.crediblemind.com.