BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN
Why it matters
The impact
$100 valuation according to the presentation. This would result in an annual increase of about $80 for a $400,000 home—equating to a $7 monthly increase, according to the presentation. “We’re doing what we can to keep the tax rate low,” Cohen said.
In Hays County’s 2021 Transportation Plan—a planning document that looks to identify safety improvements and improve regional connectiv- ity—residents surveyed said it was di cult traveling inside and outside the county. However, the majority of the projects in the 2024 bond are east and west connectors—which will give drivers an alternative route to I-35. Cory Grell, project manager with HNTB, an engi- neering consultant for Hays County, said all projects from the 2024 bond program are intended to reduce tra c and provide faster commute times. Transportation challenges Based on travel in 2020, road conditions and travel time to places outside of Hays County were top of mind for county residents. 55.45% said they spent too much time in traffic 73.76% thought county road conditions needed to be improved 47.27% said they had a difficult time traveling to places within Hays County
Hays County’s tax rate for scal year 2024 sits at $0.3075 per $100 in property valuation, which is one of the lowest tax rates in the state, according to a presentation given to the Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce on July 23. If residents vote to approve the ballot item in the November election, Hays County residents would see a tax rate increase of $.02 per
Average county tax bill, 2011-2023 $1,200
$1,000
$800
$600
$400
$200
$0 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
SOURCE: HAYS COUNTY 2021 TRANSPORTATION PLAN/COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: HAYS COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Put in perspective
Up for election
Cohen said she believes the county needs to address rapid population growth, improve road safety and update current infrastructure. “A lot of the roads that are in my precinct basically look the same as they did 40 years ago,” she said. Some projects will impact more than just one city, Precinct 4 Commissioner Walt Smith added.
The last road bond voters passed—which cost $131.4 million—was in 2016 when the county population was 204,581. The county’s population has increased by about 37% from 2016 to 2023, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. It’s anticipated to increase again by almost 85% by 2060, according to population projections from the Texas Demographic Center.
County staff put together a draft bond election ordinance and presented it to commissioners on Aug. 6. Hays County Commissioners are expected to officially call the bond on Aug. 13—a day before the deadline to place items on the November ballot. More information can be found at www.hayscountytx.com.
Anticipated growth Hays County is anticipated to continue growing exponentially over the next 20 years.
Dates to know
2025 244,000
2045 694,000
Oct. 7
Last day to register to vote for the bond election
Dripping Springs
Dripping Springs
Oct. 21- Nov. 1
Timeframe for early voting
Population distribution estimates
0-500 500-1,000
Driftwood
Driftwood
Buda
Buda
Nov. 5
Election Day
1,000-2,500 2,500-5,000 5,000-10,000 10,000-15,000 15,000-27,000
Wimberley
Wimberley
Kyle
Kyle
Early and election day voting times and locations can be found at www.hayscountytx.com/elections.
San Marcos
San Marcos
SOURCE: HAYS COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT NOTE: AS OF PUBLICATION TIME, THE BOND HAS NOT BEEN PASSED BY HAYS COUNTY OFFICIALS, BUT THEY ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE ACTION ON THE BOND ON AUG. 13.
SOURCE: CAPITAL AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION 2045 REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN/COMMUNITY IMPACT
N
17
SAN MARCOS - BUDA - KYLE EDITION
Powered by FlippingBook