CITY & COUNTY
News from Kyle, Buda & Hays County
NUMBER TO KNOW
Kyle receives $2M for water reclamation
Hays County commissioners approve 10% pay increase
$107,730
announcement Feb. 14 on the heels of appropriations secured for the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment in San Marcos. “With the climate crisis already impacting Central Texas, water is perhaps the precious resource that is most threatened. This direct federal funding will allow the city of Kyle to move forward with new water infrastructure to conserve resources and increase drought resilience,” Doggett said in a statement. “These new funds will enable expanded use of reclaimed water in planning for
this rapidly growing community.” The Kyle City Council acknowl- edged the federal funding at its meeting Feb. 21. “Congressman Doggett generously earmarked $2 million for our water reclamation project. ... They, as in the Feds, consider the city of Kyle at the forefront of purple pipe and reclaimed water, so we’re excited about this opportunity,” Assistant City Manager Amber Schmeits said at the meeting. Purple pipes are used for reclaimed and recycled water that is
RAISES FOR COUNTY EMPLOYEES The 10% salary increase for nearly 500 county employees comes as a result of findings from a study conducted by Management Advisory Group Inc. important for retention. And retention is important for us to maintain institutional knowledge within the Hays County organization so we can continue to move forward with all of the services and needs that the county needs.” Consultants from Management Advisory Group Inc., a management consultant firm, conducted a compensation and classifications study for the county. The study analyzed classifications and the regional market to determine appropriate pay and pay scales, Villalobos said.
harmless to humans via direct con- tact and can be used for nondrinking purposes, such as toilet flushing and irrigation. “Reclaimed water has proven to be a sustainable solution for rapid growth and provides a cost-effective and ‘drought-proof’ water resource for current and future public infrastructure,” Kyle Mayor Travis Mitchell said. The Reclaimed Water Master Plan is in development with the first draft expected in late March, Kyle Director of Communications Rachel Sonnier said.
worth of fireworks
San Marcos City Council meets March 21 and April 4. 630 E. Hopkins St., San Marcos 512-393-8000 www.sanmarcostx.gov Kyle City Council meets March 21 and April 4. 100 W. Center St., Kyle 512-262-1010 www.cityofkyle.com Buda City Council meets March 21 and April 4. 405 E. Loop St., Buda 512-312-0084 www.budatx.gov Hays County Commissioners Court meets March 28 and April 11. 111 E. San Antonio St., San Marcos 512-393-2205 www.hayscountytx.com MEETINGS WE COVER were purchased by the Kyle City Council Feb. 21. The fireworks will go toward three large events: the annual Fourth of July and Pie in the Sky celebrations as well as a new event called the Kyle Fair TexTravaganza.
BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN
HAYS COUNTY Nearly 500 Hays County employees saw a 10% pay increase in February to stay competitive in the job market. The Hays County Commissioners Court approved the increase for 465 county employees who are not bound by a collective bargaining agreement Jan. 31. The employees receiving the increase are in Hays County pay grades 106-113, making less than $100,000. Precinct 3 Commissioner Lon Shell was the single dissent- ing vote, citing a need to reach consensus on raises with all department heads. A Collective Bargaining Agreement is a contract that requires negotiations between representatives of a union and their employer. The pay increase went into effect Feb. 1 and will cost the county $1,482,978.98 for fiscal year 2022-23, according to the Hays County budget office. Alex Villalobos, Hays County chief of staff, emphasized the importance of staying competitive in the regional market for many reasons. “It’s important for us to ensure that we are keeping up with the regional market so that we can stay competitive,” Villalobos said. “Not only, No. 1, is it good for recruiting new talent and new positions into the county, but it’s also
BY ZARA FLORES
KYLE The city received $2 million of federal appropriations, secured by U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, for the city’s Reclaimed Water Master Plan. Doggett’s office made the
465 employees are expected to benefit from the salary increase. The salary increase will cost the county $1.48 million for fiscal year 2022-23. MAG draft reports found Hays County is 11.05% below the average market at-range minimum.
Buda signs on to agreement to study SH 45 gap to I-35 connection
SH 45 runs from Buda up to Cedar Park with a nearly 4-mile gap from FM 1626 in Manchaca to I-35 in Buda and, if completed, would redirect traffic to MoPac. CLOSING THE GAP
BY ZARA FLORES BUDA The city agreed to provide the remaining funding needed for a study to determine whether SH 45 should connect between the gap from FM 1626 in Manchaca to I-35 in Buda. The Buda City Council unanimously voted Feb. 21 to enter into an interlocal agreement with Hays County for a feasibility assessment of the SH 45 gap road project.
The Hays County Commissioners Court approved a $2.5 million contract with CP&Y Inc. for the preliminary engineering data, travel demand modeling, environmental impacts, alternatives and more, and also agreed to fund $2 million of it, leaving $500,000 for the city of Buda to shoulder, coming from the 2021 bond. The study is expected to take around two years to complete.
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The study is not yet finalized but will come back before the court with a complete pay scale system presentation.
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SOURCES: HAYS COUNTY, MANAGEMENT ADVISORY GROUP INC./ COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCES: CITY OF BUDA, HAYS COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
SAN MARCOS 510 Barnes Dr (512) 392-0366
CREEKSIDE TOWN CENTER 263 Creekside Crossing (830) 608-1969 NEW BRAUNFELS 1671 IH-35 S (830) 629-0434
SOUTHPARK MEADOWS 9900 IH-35 Service Rd S (512) 280-7400
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