Government
BY MICHAEL MILLIORN & SIENNA WIGHT
Hays jail adds on-site mental health care Hays County defendants deemed incom- petent to stand trial can soon receive mental health care in jail rather than waiting for placement at a state hospital following a program approved by commissioners Jan. 6. Why it matters In Hays County, individuals are waiting nearly 300 days to be placed for treatment, which costs the county roughly $45,000 per person, Judge Ruben Becerra said. With 24 people in Hays County Jail currently awaiting treatment, the total cost to the county is approximately $1.08 million. Looking ahead The program will be funded by a state grant, while the county will be responsible for medications. Commissioners expect to implement it within the next few months.
San Marcos to reconsider 200-acre data center San Marcos City Council is reconsidering zoning and map designation changes tied to a proposed data center that has drawn resident pushback. Council heard a presentation Dec. 16 on amending the Preferred Scenario Map for about 200 acres west of Francis Harris Lane. The latest The Planning and Zoning Commission, or PZC, recommended approval Jan. 13 to change the map designation from “Conservation/Cluster” to “Commercial/Employment Low” and rezone from “Future Development” to “Light Indus- trial.” The current designation reserves the land for future development, while the requested designation would enable the proposed data center’s development.
Council will address the requests at these upcoming council meetings: Feb. 3: Public hearing, no action will be taken Feb. 17: Public hearing, rst reading March 3: Ordinance reconsideration, second and nal reading What’s next?
SOURCE: CITY OF SAN MARCOSCOMMUNITY IMPACT
How we got here A similar request was denied by the PZC in March 2025, which created a condition requiring council to reach a supermajority vote of 6-1; however, council failed to meet that threshold with a 5-2 vote in August 2025. What they’re saying Residents raised livestock, water, electricity and utility-cost concerns; Highlander LLC representative John Maberry cited jobs, tax base, environmental regulations and minimal resource impacts.
Buda city ordinance sets regulations for live music Buda City Council approved a Dec. 16 ordinance amendment setting enforceable hours and decibel limits for recurring live music and streamlining permits for businesses. Some context weren’t built for nightly entertainment. The ne print
Buda’s A-weighted decibel limits (dBA)
Zoning
Daytime
Nighttime
Residential
63
56
The ordinance amendment will primarily impact venues hosting full-band, amplied music that will consistently exceed base ordinance noise limits. Businesses more than 300 feet from a residence that meet state limits are largely unaected. Permit fees are waived through March 2027.
Commercial
70
63
Industrial
80
65
Previously, live music required a $3,000 special use permit aimed at short-term events; city sta said reviews took about three months and the rules
Not listed above
80
65
SOURCE: CITY OF BUDACOMMUNITY IMPACT
Hello, Neighbor!
IT’S YOUR TIME Find Your Future With ACC
310 Stagecoach Trail #100B San Marcos, TX 78666 CALL 512-396-CPA1
TAX SERVICES• SMALL BUSINESS ACCOUNTING PAYROLL• QUICKBOOKS CONSULTING www.jdacpa1.com
Pamela O.
Registration for Spring Classes NOW OPEN ! austincc.edu/spring
11
SAN MARCOS BUDA KYLE EDITION
Powered by FlippingBook