[{"_1":2,"_104":-5,"_105":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,84,94],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6566565,"mediaKeyId","3203226-6a48ed208d9fc783779d5107a3bb781f","parentId",3203226,"title","Hays County adopts proclamations recognizing May observances and local heritage initiatives","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",163000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3203226-6a48ed208d9fc783779d5107a3bb781f&start=163&end=163","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3203226-6a48ed208d9fc783779d5107a3bb781f/thumbnail_163000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6566565/Hays-County/Texas/Hays-County-adopts-proclamations-recognizing-May-observances-and-local-heritage-initiatives","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566565-87705c591096ad19e0616a1e23d12410/orig.mp4?Expires=1770403370&Signature=lKvIaObvd04So83IZDbwpcjvLNK8kwVL5Xg5HMCSiQabn7RhuYN~nkCLXPlpUDr9MbKaUDNX6npyvmNnhy8hPx6rzoSOwrbK0uNRshf1QPWnattSuJJbd~Xb45LUtBa6IWfb2U91UwnGnUpdSsJae1NfumzvOBZ94rCKvwspZh7NIv-6wjhdUXZC-4qbUJvjG-KkSdmGCE5Mc0lpGU2b1yKcPZKjocPc7piJ6bPNGqZ0W65eq6m1T~rjS9-QLio4vP2PJyPx3cPgmn9fFI-AEw9NDtk8IzugXXsfpolEqW7ORqBzkPZuR6R4Uwh3wumXwHUYBz9wFqIWDXK6VrW5Vg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hays","date","2025-05-06T00:00:00Z","article","During its May 13 session the Hays County Commissioners Court adopted a series of proclamations honoring month‑long observances and local heritage initiatives.

Actions taken (highlights)
- Air Quality Awareness Week (May 2025): The court adopted a proclamation recognizing regional air quality work and encouraging residents to visit aircentraltexas.org. Matthew Gonzales, Hays County Health Department director, provided sensor readings showing week‑average AQI values for monitoring sites in Dripping Springs, Kyle and San Marcos.

- Jury Appreciation Week (first week of May): Amanda Calvert, Hays County District Clerk, spoke about jury management improvements, local jury compensation practices and outreach; the court adopted a proclamation recognizing jurors’ service.

- National Correctional Officers and Employees Week and Police Week (May 11–17, 2025; Peace Officers Memorial Day May 15): The court adopted proclamations honoring correctional and law enforcement personnel; Sheriff Anthony Hippolito and Chief Deputy Brett Bailey thanked officers and corrections staff for their work.

- Indigenous and Tejano First Families recognition: The court recognized the Council for the Indigenous and Tejano Community (CITC), which opened a museum exhibit titled The Past Within Us at the Hays Historical Courthouse (Suite 104) and has placed multiple historical markers. Founding members Gina Alba Rogers, Frank Arredondo and others spoke at the meeting.

- Mental Health Awareness Month: The court adopted a proclamation and heard remarks from Matthew Gonzales, the county behavioral health coordinator and representatives from Hill Country MHDD Centers; officials highlighted partnerships, mobile crisis outreach and training efforts.

Votes at a glance (selected proclamations)
- Adopt proclamation: Air Quality Awareness Week — approved (vote: unanimous roll call).
- Adopt proclamation: Jury Appreciation Week — approved (vote: unanimous roll call).
- Adopt proclamation: Correctional Officers and Employees Week — approved (vote: unanimous roll call).
- Adopt proclamation: Police Week / Peace Officers Memorial Day — approved (vote: unanimous roll call).
- Adopt proclamation: Indigenous & Tejano First Families recognition and museum opening — approved (vote: unanimous roll call).
- Adopt proclamation: Mental Health Awareness Month — approved (vote: unanimous roll call).

Why it matters
Proclamations signal county priorities and build partnerships between county government and local organizations. Officials used the floor for short program updates (air‑quality sensors; jury payouts and electronic debit card payments for jurors; museum opening; mental health collaborations) tied to each proclamation.

Ending
Court members thanked presenters and community groups for their work: the district clerk for jury outreach, CITC for preserving local history, and public‑health and mental‑health partners for training and crisis services.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hays - Regular - May 06, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commissioners’ court adopted proclamations recognizing Air Quality Awareness Week, Jury Appreciation Week, Correctional Officers and Employees Week, Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day, Mental Health Awareness Month, and the contributions of indigenous and Tejano first families, among several others.","taxTitle","Hays County, Texas","taxId",9291,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":42,"_43":77,"_45":77,"_46":78,"_48":79,"_50":80,"_52":81,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":82,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":83,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6566568,"Hays County health director reviews measles response, cites communication leaks and lab limits",5325000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3203226-6a48ed208d9fc783779d5107a3bb781f&start=5325&end=5325","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3203226-6a48ed208d9fc783779d5107a3bb781f/thumbnail_5325000.jpg","/articles/6566568/Hays-County/Texas/Hays-County-health-director-reviews-measles-response-cites-communication-leaks-and-lab-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566568-9d3640091d5b9f278a28537696399352/orig.mp4?Expires=1770403370&Signature=ecmNgnmqX2~-v3JV45hyxXGkUlSieHB5ekeZ-BMIb5SiuZtYe30pHX1oG7~htS6B4j258IfHcVZ6wAIS0AN-CxXpwyKEO6W7ndNk6XXI92niuVFTLAvr3QfCaSh7wF2eIaj8sFmPtF4sShP3VUHz-NGfsFpIKHtPJFHLG8GaIq3BumYbBgbEJ5hzk0na7UXIjuhiAEI0WtF7jS6Qnf32CnvtiiolP7lrQstJEDPFJut4ms~6Fve3~WaVXUcbX4W62eQeytedyRHmXju0L4fQ4qhbAiSRPVot4jIkJMqjbutq8YDXNJARDYCQ~VCGbRB3WAf~GPWWKSTgXjLUlSG4IA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hays County Health Department presented an after‑action report May 13 on a February–March measles exposure and its public‑health response. Health Director Matthew Gonzales told the court the department quickly activated response protocols but encountered problems with information leaks and laboratory testing coordination.

Gonzales said the department established incident command and emergency operations coordination within hours of notification from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and prepared press releases and media toolkits. After confirmation of a positive measles case, the health department expanded its coordination with EMS, fire, law enforcement, hospitals, long‑term care facilities and other partners.

Findings and problems identified
- Strengths: Gonzales said partnerships — including a network of designated infection‑control officers created after COVID — helped coordinate a rapid response. The department also had ready templates and an incident‑command structure informed by recent outbreaks (COVID, monkeypox, West Nile).
- Laboratory/testing capacity: The department relies on private labs and DSHS; Gonzales said Hays County needs more streamlined MOUs with providers to speed testing and diagnosis in future notifiable‑disease events.
- Communication leaks: Gonzales described two premature disclosures of case‑related information — an external disclosure by a university partner and an internal release that shortened the department’s time to prepare and vet public messaging. He said the leaks increased pressure on the public‑information process and could have risked identifying the patient. After consultation, he said DSHS confirmed no HIPAA violation had occurred, but the county needs stronger controls on draft releases and watermarking, stricter “need‑to‑know” practices, and a clear MOU on release criteria.

Questions from commissioners
Commissioner Adelphi asked whether there were consequences for the leaks; Gonzales said no HIPAA violation had been confirmed but noted the county would be at legal risk if identifiable protected health information had been released. Judge Becerra and Commissioner Smith praised the level of detail in the report and urged internal safeguards so the public can trust county messaging during public‑health incidents.

Next steps
Gonzales said the department will:
- pursue MOUs with clinical partners to improve testing lead times;
- strengthen internal and external communications protocols, including watermarking and approval thresholds; and
- provide additional staff training on the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and incident‑command documentation to ensure proper recordkeeping for potential FEMA reimbursement and legal compliance.

Ending
Commissioners thanked health‑department staff for the transparent after‑action review and directed staff to return with proposed MOUs and protocol changes.","The health department presented an after‑action report on a February–March measles exposure that praised partnerships but identified communication leaks and laboratory testing gaps, and recommended MOUs and staff training.",{"_33":85,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":86,"_41":42,"_43":87,"_45":87,"_46":88,"_48":89,"_50":90,"_52":91,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":92,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":93,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6566573,"Court debates mental‑health diversion center design and approves 16 correctional officer hires to bring inmates back to Hays County",6600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3203226-6a48ed208d9fc783779d5107a3bb781f&start=6600&end=6600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3203226-6a48ed208d9fc783779d5107a3bb781f/thumbnail_6600000.jpg","/articles/6566573/Hays-County/Texas/Court-debates-mentalhealth-diversion-center-design-and-approves-16-correctional-officer-hires-to-bring-inmates-back-to-Hays-County","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566573-f93b990501978a4c06b90eb10e5e9728/orig.mp4?Expires=1770403370&Signature=FXVpnSxs15GRTkp0PM7JcHJ4-UtC1LxiDv9EJ2pEcFgHIkkUqr7z9PQOjVFUA1hF0qenczu9FwRAEbZFxiEc8FJ-TQYA631FzrwLkE5ibq8VvY7aWu5x9dBP0tKucTL02fqslOIvJ66A7YYKvqNu1c5iilI427s366GqHLUA-PHngPdThczvLX2taT7O1Rb5qA62GgdO5HJhbb7RgcZcjY7A84bk7WJ5ZtJNafpdqwQOZhvSFVrwdrVlxoOiACqcI4vgeZC3k6KU6YCzG0dISu4mHrvrUmAM-UlU~uiaHbxFwdXjXFUWzykEamsG1nCLJgoPz0oyOeAirjyr7xHtdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hays County Commissioners Court spent substantial time May 13 discussing plans to expand mental‑health treatment capacity and the county jail footprint, and separately approved hiring 16 correctional officers to prepare for returning inmates currently housed out of county.

No final contract was authorized for architectural work on a proposed diversion center or jail master‑plan changes. Judge Ruben Becerra and several commissioners said they want more input from the Behavioral Advisory Team, the sheriff’s office and mental‑health experts about the diversion center’s location and design before authorizing additional design work.

What the court did vote on
- The court approved a request to hire 16 correctional officers, effective May 1, 2025, to prepare for returning inmates to the Hays County Jail. The sheriff’s office presented the staffing request as necessary to incrementally bring outsourced inmates back as jail capacity and staffing allow. A roll‑call vote recorded all members in favor; the motion passed.

Discussion: diversion center, jail expansion and procurement
Commissioners and County Judge Elaine Brown endorsed creating a diversion or evaluation center to keep people in crisis out of jail and provide 24/7 treatment. But several commissioners, and multiple outside mental‑health providers who participate in the Behavioral Advisory Team (BAT), warned against automatically locating a diversion center inside the jail footprint.

- Judge Elaine Brown said the county “does have a real need” for a crisis/evaluation/diversion center but that “we still need to have conversations” about what the center should look like and where it should be housed.
- Commissioner Tucker Smith (remarks summarized) and multiple mental‑health experts cautioned that placing a diversion center at the jail — or routing people in crisis through law‑enforcement booking — could escalate situations and run counter to diversion goals. Several BAT members told the court they were not consulted before the item appeared on the agenda and urged more stakeholder engagement.

Procurement and architect (HOK) questions
The agenda item, as described at the meeting, sought authority to negotiate an architectural/engineering (AE) agreement with HOK, the county’s existing architect for the master plan. County Purchasing Agent Stephanie Hemp told the court HOK’s original contract tied to a bond project does not permit automatic extension for engineering services; any new AE work with HOK would require a new professional services agreement executed under Texas Government Code procurement rules (Chapter 2254 for professional services). Hemp said engineering services would need to come from the county’s engineering services pool, but HOK could be engaged for architectural work through a new agreement.

Public comment and email support
An emailed public comment from a local advocate urged the court to authorize the AE design contract and cited other Texas counties’ diversion center models (Tarrant, Travis) as precedents. The judge said the item would be tabled and reworked with clearer language and procurement guidance; staff will return with a more articulated road map for next steps.

Relation to jail operations and staffing
Sheriff Anthony Hippolito and Chief Deputy Brett Bailey told the court they want to return outsourced inmates to Hays County, and that staffing is a major constraint. The approved hire of 16 correctional officers was presented as an incremental step to increase in‑county housing capacity; the sheriff’s office said additional beds are expected to become available later this year and incremental hiring will allow phased returns from contracts with out‑of‑county facilities.

What the court directed
- Table the AE authorization as written and return with revised procurement language and a stakeholder engagement plan. The judge asked county staff to consult with Purchasing and present a clearer proposal.
- Approved immediate hiring of 16 correctional officers to support returning inmates.

Ending
Commissioners emphasized that the diversion center concept remains a priority but said they want the plan shaped by practitioners — the BAT, county courts, mental‑health providers and the sheriff — before committing to an AE contract or a specific location.","Judges and commissioners discussed plans to expand a diversion center and modify jail master plans; the court approved hiring 16 correctional officers to prepare for returning outsourced inmates and tabled immediate design contracting for further stakeholder input.",{"_33":95,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":96,"_41":42,"_43":97,"_45":97,"_46":98,"_48":99,"_50":100,"_52":101,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":102,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":103,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6566578,"Hays County approves economic incentive for Delta Mill Works in Wimberley",12626000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3203226-6a48ed208d9fc783779d5107a3bb781f&start=12626&end=12626","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3203226-6a48ed208d9fc783779d5107a3bb781f/thumbnail_12626000.jpg","/articles/6566578/Hays-County/Texas/Hays-County-approves-economic-incentive-for-Delta-Mill-Works-in-Wimberley","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566578-9e0c7731ce0d5a3b1bc73b936ad066fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770403370&Signature=VQA75h-fCOVga0udjwX7p9mfRBus~6CwblkNw9c6ZHK~zUwmj9q5ucH9XlHoQOQfu8KULTAUrlCXLjQyX1gWHXyIVzb2vCL81siftFBdyrv6NQavNsERAnM182oobqzl6oogKzI0eXMOthZ4SPUxlv~2gzqp-MSS4rgAv4xhRtV8xhYtnHqXZ9ydQg2SL9cm2kyJASoCNZ0Wgvzxw-bSCeZxpF7DUgJxtVioJj9J~K~limjCuzoEBPVlUi18rGJlSxxYvlw~dtwAQJe8GM1vJkna-fC9dFt49tsMpE8CxmO8H3oyAFI034Jsr4JsT7g4K290IEB2S64b6SrNMvP5TA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hays County Commissioners Court on May 13 approved an economic development incentive agreement with Delta Mill Works (doing business in the record as Delta Mill Works Holding LLC) to support a planned manufacturing and office facility in the Wimberley area.

Commissioner Ronda Hammer moved to authorize the county judge to execute the Chapter 381 economic development agreement; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with all commissioners and the judge voting yes. The company says it will invest in a roughly 65,000-square-foot facility and create full‑time jobs in Wimberley.

Why it matters: Commissioners framed the decision as balancing local economic development with environmental sensitivity in a water‑constrained area. The company representatives described specific sustainability measures they will use to reduce groundwater reliance and limit runoff.

Key facts and commitments
- Company commitment described during the meeting: an estimated $34 million in capital investment, a minimum of 72 new full‑time equivalent positions, and a facility of about 65,000 square feet of manufacturing and office space. (Exact contract terms are in the executed agreement.)
- Environmental features discussed: on‑site rainwater collection capacity (company representatives described a system planned to hold tens of thousands of gallons), a design with under 20% impervious cover, habitat restoration elements, low‑impact stormwater design, dark‑sky compliant lighting and future-ready solar array capacity.

Comments from officials and company representatives
Commissioner Hammer, explaining her motion, said she had examined the company’s plans and “they demonstrate a dedication of supporting the Wimberley community in prioritizing environmental responsibility.”
Price Taylor, co‑owner and chief operations officer for the company, told the court his family is moving to the Wimberley area and that the firm intends to be “an employer where people want to work in the Wimberley area.”

What the court voted on
The court voted to authorize the execution of the Chapter 381 incentive agreement; roll-call votes recorded Commissioner Smith: Yes; Commissioner Hammer: Yes; Commissioner Inglesby: Yes; Commissioner Cohen: Yes; Judge Becerra: Yes. (Recorded motion text: “authorize the execution of a chapters 381 economic development incentive agreement between Hays County and delta mill works holding LLC and delta hays holding LLC.”)

What comes next
County staff will proceed with the formal execution of the incentive agreement and the company will move forward with required site design and permitting. Commissioners emphasized continued oversight of environmental safeguards and encouraged company coordination with local water‑conservation experts.

Ending
Court members said they will monitor the project as it moves through permitting and encouraged the company and county staff to continue engagement with Wimberley‑area stakeholders.","The commissioners voted to authorize an economic development incentive agreement with Delta Mill Works to locate a manufacturing and office facility in Wimberley, citing job creation and water-conscious design features.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hays County adopts proclamations recognizing May observances and local heritage initiatives

Hays County health director reviews measles response, cites communication leaks and lab limits

Court debates mental‑health diversion center design and approves 16 correctional officer hires to bring inmates back to Hays County

Hays County approves economic incentive for Delta Mill Works in Wimberley