Elaine Hanson Cárdenas

The meeting included the recognition of the Hays County Auditor's Office for achieving the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024. Key actions involved approving numerous invoice, juror, and healthcare claim payments, including a $500,000.00 authorization for healthcare claims, and approving the payment of the January 15, 2026 payroll disbursements. The court accepted quarterly internal examination reports and amended various departmental budgets for Fiscal Year 2025 year-end and Fiscal Year 2026 monthly reporting. Several contract renewals and specifications for new RFPs were approved, including HVAC services and Grant Writing Services. The court adopted resolutions of support for CAMPO 2028-2031 grant applications for multiple road projects (Sawyer Ranch Road Pedestrian Walkway, FM 2001 Gap, FM 2001 East, and Centerpoint Road), and authorized a grant application submission to the FRA for the Centerpoint Crossing Elimination and Safety Project. Subdivision bonds for 6 Creeks Phase 1 Sections 16 and 17 were accepted. A public hearing was held regarding the Deer Run Estates Replat, and future public hearings for other replats were scheduled. The court authorized an Interlocal Agreement for the Kyle Animal Shelter, which passed with one dissent. Appointments and reappointments were confirmed for various Emergency Services Districts (ESD #1, #2, #6, #7, #8) and the Dripping Springs Tax Incremental Reinvestment Zones. The Sheriff's Office received authorization for equipment purchases and acceptance of insurance proceeds. An Interlocal Agreement for the Jail Based Competency Restoration (JBCR) Program was authorized. Additionally, the salary grade for the Transportation Civil Engineer position was regraded to maintain internal equity, and a service agreement for a printer/copier for the County Administrator's Office was approved. Discussions were held regarding GovPay processing issues and Hays County inmate population statistics. An executive session was held to discuss the purchase, exchange, lease, and/or value of real property near Roger Hanks Parkway.

The Commissioners Court meeting included public comments concerning stray animals and an Interlocal Agreement (ILA). Key actions involved approving payments for county invoices, juror disbursements, and substantial healthcare claims, including an authorization for a $500,000.00 disbursement. Payroll disbursements of up to $4,600,000.00 for December 15, 2025, were approved. The Court accepted the Auditor's Office Quarterly Internal Examination Reports and authorized several contract executions, including an Access Control system installation for Justice of the Peace Precinct 5, payment for a Stalker Radar, and acceptance of a $5,000.00 donation for Veteran's assistance. Reappointments were made to the Board of Emergency Services District #7. Several Professional Services Agreements were authorized for road and infrastructure projects (Dairy Road, Bunton Lane/Heidenreich Lane/Grist Mill Road, Darden Hill/CR 162 Phase 2, Centerpoint Road Overpass) and forensic services (autopsy and toxicology). The Court approved the execution of grant applications to the Texas Veterans Commission and accepted a $10,000.00 grant from the Texas Bar Foundation. Further actions included ratifying two Final Plats, appointing Aaron Jones as Director of Transportation, authorizing bond issuances for the La Cima Public Improvement District, approving repairs for window glass at the Historic Courthouse and a water valve at the Government Center, approving travel for a Crime Analyst, accepting road-building materials from TxDot, awarding an RFP for Workers Compensation Insurance, regrading a staff position, and approving a Resolution of Support for State Highway 46 expansion. A public hearing was held and closed to establish a "No Parking" zone on Rocky Ridge Trail, and another public hearing for the Urbina Addition Replat resulted in no action taken.

Key discussions and actions during the meeting included adopting a Proclamation recognizing December 2025 as Humans Rights Month. Presentations were given regarding the 2026 Point-in-Time Count and updates on Animal Welfare Services Division planning, including the need for satellite offices. The court approved numerous payments, including county invoices, juror disbursements, and healthcare claims. Several contract amendments and new Professional Services Agreements were authorized for various road projects (Centerpoint Road, Goforth Road, Windy Hill Road, Dripping Springs Southwest Connection) and software implementation (Tyler Technologies). The court also approved reappointment of several members to Emergency Services Districts (ESD #3, #4, #5, #9) and the appointment of a replacement to the Hill Country MHDD Board of Trustees. Other actions included approving the selection of HDR Engineering for a water study, authorizing the execution of a Development Agreement for the Bluestem Subdivision, ratifying final plats for Longhorn Trail Estates and The Peters Subdivision, and authorizing the acceptance of grant awards for the Sheriff's Office and the Combined Emergency Communications Center.

The Commissioners Court meeting included several proclamations, such as recognizing November 2025 as Turkeys Tackling Hunger Month, Military Family Appreciation Month, National Adoption Month, and November 19, 2025, as GIS Day. Key operational discussions involved approvals for various payments, including county invoices, juror disbursements, healthcare claims, and payroll disbursements. The Court also addressed several infrastructure and project management items, including approving specifications for RFP 2026-P03 for the Eastside Campus Construction Manager at Risk, authorizing an Advance Funding Agreement with TxDOT for the FM 2001 at Windy Hill Road project, and selecting numerous engineering firms for various road and infrastructure projects across Precincts 1, 2, 3, and 4. Additionally, the Court discussed and authorized the initial steps for issuing up to $100,000,000 in Combination Tax and Revenue Certificates of Obligation for county office/administrative buildings and animal shelter facilities.

The collected votes span multiple sessions in January and February 2025, covering numerous official actions. Key decisions included the approval and acceptance of official bonds for newly elected officers and the appointment of members to the Hays County Historical Commission. Financial matters involved approving county invoices, juror disbursements, United Healthcare claims, and various payroll disbursements. Budget amendments were frequently approved in preparation for the 2024 fiscal year-end process and for FY2025 quarterly reporting, often involving accepting grant awards from state and federal agencies to establish new positions. Several agenda items focused on approving appointments and reappointments to various boards and committees, including Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZ) and the Capitol Area Metropolitan Planning Authority Technical Advisory Committee. Significant approvals were made regarding contract renewals, amendments, and the solicitation for new services, including inmate commissary, lawn maintenance, and road building materials. Public hearings were called regarding several subdivision replats. The courts authorized numerous Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with Texas State University and other entities for various social work, public health, and internship programs. Numerous purchasing policy waivers were utilized for specialized equipment, repairs, and services across departments like the Sheriff's Office and Building Maintenance. Multiple actions involved road construction and surface drainage improvements, including the acceptance of maintenance bonds and contract awards for projects such as the RM 2325 Sidewalk and the Shadow Creek Subdivision improvements. The court also ratified several final plats for new subdivisions and considered variances to On-Site Sewage Facility Rules. The body authorized resolutions and grant applications to the Office of the Governor for various purposes, including Victims of Crime Act funding and criminal justice grants. Actions concerning personnel included approving new positions, re-grading existing roles, and approving out-of-state travel for training and conferences for Sheriff's Office and other staff.