[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,87,99,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":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,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6586322,"mediaKeyId","5545552-c7f2adb4130d117397ca37dfac1f877c","parentId",5545552,"title","Budget workshop draws public calls to expand public defense and social services; county budget officer outlines ARPA and timing constraints","audioSeconds",1935,"startMs",4326000,"endMs",6261000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5545552-c7f2adb4130d117397ca37dfac1f877c&start=4326&end=6261","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5545552-c7f2adb4130d117397ca37dfac1f877c/thumbnail_4326000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6586322/Hays-County/Texas/Budget-workshop-draws-public-calls-to-expand-public-defense-and-social-services-county-budget-officer-outlines-ARPA-and-timing-constraints","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586322-08169aea3e98075e8d24efd36769d38f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770423716&Signature=XpcW5s0SyJ2LCKrxycOq7rbZVLNQij6qAceL~fw61BvmjYtDtTyKtLiZJqbNc8rW66Af11TIW6dp1B4eSYjytEHJg4MdMERXU9ZwVOByUdTyLp2oEruF1oo3BI8VpMptfcJ0eYmyJThCL9~aQF6OnEqV3xV1z2-n3LjgbEGg-FeTZ71sV6YUpkEbuplpp9Td6nm-zfBpwqO~Bl6cbjcKkezAvAFNlnG1dn4Hsd0xw9mzi-83nI2YwMNH3xRR6uZss4BF-MzKHmGOkfF3wda5NveyFbGBZmO9cLB2inv5y4zerYGEoyt9BSsCRQGPSGmfRmjhdRNc4yoUfyOEwUfxbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hays","date","2025-08-05T00:00:00Z","article","Hays County held a budget workshop at 11 a.m. that included public comment urging increased investment in the public defender’s office, community reentry, rental assistance, workforce development and county social services.

Pastor Jeff Thompson, speaking for Corridor Interfaith Alliance for Families, said countywide growth “has a price” and urged the court to budget more for public defense, reentry services, workforce development and social programs. Eric Martinez, executive director of Mano Amiga, asked the court to “fully fund several key areas” including the public defender’s office, the county health department and nonprofits that provide housing supports.

A budget assessment presentation delivered to the court and referenced by speakers — prepared as a pilot by outside partners — found gaps in transparency and engagement; speaker Alyssa Garza said the assessment scored Hays County 14 out of 85 on the pilot’s metrics and urged plain-language materials, translations and better tracking of community feedback.

Budget officer Vicky Dorsett outlined how the county has used ARPA funds and other special revenues: she told the court that of roughly $44 million in ARPA funds, at least $34 million was directed to judicial or community programs and that the court has increased judicial services budgets 72% from FY 2023 to the FY 2026 recommended budget when including all available funds. Dorsett also explained why the recommended budget materials were posted late in the week: Hays County received certified property values on July 25 and staff used those figures to balance the FY 2026 recommended budget; she said the short window required several long workdays to finalize supporting documents.

Commissioners and staff noted additional workshops and hearings are scheduled to allow public comment: the court listed follow-up budget workshops and public hearings on the schedule, and Dorsett said the formal public hearing and vote on a proposed budget and tax rate will occur after those workshops. Several commissioners expressed interest in folding judicial services, pretrial work, the public defender’s office and reentry programs into a coordinated criminal justice strategy rather than individual, siloed efforts.

The workshop closed after additional brief public comments from residents urging investment in social services and reentry supports. County staff encouraged written feedback and noted the budget calendar is posted on the county website.

Speakers quoted or paraphrased in this report are identified in the meeting record. No budget vote occurred during the workshop; the court scheduled additional workshops and a public hearing as described above.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hays - Regular","oneSentenceSummary","Hays County held a budget workshop in which community members and nonprofit leaders urged the court to increase funding for a public defender’s office, reentry services, rental assistance and workforce development.","taxTitle","Hays County, Texas","taxId",9291,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6586331,"Hays County approves HDR to design East Side Campus; commissioners back timber-forward concept",2003,429000,2432000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5545552-c7f2adb4130d117397ca37dfac1f877c&start=429&end=2432","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5545552-c7f2adb4130d117397ca37dfac1f877c/thumbnail_429000.jpg","/articles/6586331/Hays-County/Texas/Hays-County-approves-HDR-to-design-East-Side-Campus-commissioners-back-timber-forward-concept","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586331-5828771b6b98864aaef14a1797858e3d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770423716&Signature=XCDVI~wnf6r1jzvlep2Y5WhwRe9Emcz80MC8XuTVAE4UQE0FM~Xtjv9a2qxxiplzU4X3CHC8d3NKeIsHjn1xx50bR8-vo8P-kNRKBWAUJof6mnPse4tkJu6pYar862V-j78nvvIQ-QenBjg7lHoEBubbBNkrDMnaun1VMvYh9MXHR7Ux0DZLRHWIXTqOVeYTmgL7EWsGt6jaWUou~lJwf5smBILE64lwqzSoWE0rgvEX4nKmeGTG5oyGnnq5bwJe~ON15ghGqeXA-xxJWLKLvbd~h5nyBFV0mRGETadnGV~-vx5ZzIYhZOAtYvaNs~tvDT5d28zkaDmI~EktX7C-zA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hays County Commissioners Court unanimously approved HDR Architecture Inc. to prepare design and construction documents for the county’s planned East Side Campus and authorized staff and the civil division of the criminal district attorney’s office to negotiate a contract.

The court approved the selection after a 45-minute presentation by the HDR/Kitchell project team laying out the program, conceptual site plan, materials and a preliminary schedule and cost estimate. Judge Becerra and commissioners pressed designers on sustainability, rainwater capture, future expansion and service to the East Side community.

HDR principal Holden Tallon, who identified himself as “a justice principal with HDR,” summarized the project program as a three-level facility with public-facing services on lower floors and county administrative functions above. Design principal Steven Knowles said the team envisions “a living room to the community” lobby, outdoor staff spaces and a front porch to respond to the Texas climate. The team said the site plan anticipates just over 300 parking stalls, a mix of private and public parking, and consideration for adjacent residential context in the City of Kyle.

Project manager Seth (Kitchell) told the court the presented cost estimate excludes land acquisition and reflects separate planning, soft costs and anticipated off-site utility work. The team said independent cost comparisons of steel versus mass timber found the approaches “cost neutral at this level,” and highlighted “schedule benefits” and lower ongoing maintenance for a mass timber approach. When Judge Becerra asked whether the mass timber design would limit future vertical expansion, the HDR team said their current concept anticipates up to three stories and that horizontal expansion was easier with the proposed grid.

Commissioner Smith and others pressed the design team on rainwater capture and stormwater detention. The designers said the roof footprint will generate substantial runoff and noted modern above-ground storage options can be less expensive and more design friendly than traditional below-ground tanks. Commissioners also discussed adding a modest dining or cafeteria footprint for employees on the first floor.

The court’s motion to approve HDR and authorize staff to negotiate design and construction documents passed on a roll call vote of five to zero: Commissioners Inglesby, Hammer, Smith and Cohen and Judge Becerra all voted yes.

What’s next: presenters said schematic design and procurement for a general contractor remain; the team forecasted early site work beginning in 2026 with the bulk of construction in 2027. County staff said land acquisition remains in negotiation and is not included in the cost estimate presented.

Speakers quoted or paraphrased in this report are identified in the meeting record. The court will return to the item later in the design and procurement process for approvals of construction documents and contracts.","Hays County Commissioners Court unanimously approved HDR Architecture Inc. to prepare design and construction documents for the county’s planned East Side Campus and authorized staff and the civil division of the criminal district attorney’s office to negotiate a contract.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6586327,"Hays County authorizes up to $500,000 to negotiate purchase of historic block near Centro Cultural Hispano",994,2503000,3497000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5545552-c7f2adb4130d117397ca37dfac1f877c&start=2503&end=3497","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5545552-c7f2adb4130d117397ca37dfac1f877c/thumbnail_2503000.jpg","/articles/6586327/Hays-County/Texas/Hays-County-authorizes-up-to-500000-to-negotiate-purchase-of-historic-block-near-Centro-Cultural-Hispano","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586327-72db8d8ee7423a6fa52fa7fb4e738028/orig.mp4?Expires=1770423716&Signature=QX0jXdp~G32GGeHhF-lJETobEHw6WneDwCkpOp2~WIyLmg5x1XyRW5P4vjvzsAtTBMkuzNVItsG~Aya3yNt03uwq-MhZMJhhmeZqMtOLtGo4ayx8yFRmp-S9~~L9eVohoLagMZ53HH1-V3bsojR8CRQT8SDyeiXT6aTysdydAaMtTlg~dqrsIvGdAfGyu4ZaqkeEdCnUZVs5WtBY7mYWnDY3XVCDbq7~v~QZCTX9arzuccbhZ4fQZI1JRADA6jJAoNhvCQaJvYQOX98-wo6E2h30hypGuw4Jb6s2ZK2sGw8F~e4JrPlZe1deY25k5tAiiwfF-~TbWZ4F6D41cjk1ig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hays County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to authorize county lawyers to negotiate a purchase agreement with the City of San Marcos and the local tax increment reinvestment zone to remove a vacant parcel on Lee Street from private development and preserve it as culturally significant public space.

The motion, discussed under agenda item K6, authorizes Hays County to commit up to $500,000 toward acquisition of the parcel adjacent to Centro Cultural Hispano de San Marcos, with funding drawn from the county’s FY 2025 undesignated miscellaneous capital improvement funds if the transaction proceeds this fiscal year. Budget officer Vicky Dorsett told the court the county could fund $500,000 from current FY25 funds; if the purchase occurs in FY26, funds would come from the FY26 undesignated projects allocation.

Commissioners and the judge described the site as part of a historic Hispanic block and said the intent is to safeguard the property from a proposed apartment development and to work with the City of San Marcos on a community-driven plan. Commissioner Cohen characterized the county’s role as taking “the dirt off the market” and then partnering with the city and grant programs to plan a low-maintenance cultural gathering place. Several commissioners emphasized that the county does not intend to donate the land to a single nonprofit and that final operating and maintenance responsibilities would be determined during later negotiations.

Commissioner Hammer asked who currently owns the parcel; court discussion identified the Independent School District as the present owner. The recorded market value discussed in the meeting was approximately $1.2 million; the court’s commitment was described as a partial, conditional funding contribution contingent on city and other partners completing the purchase and partnering on operation and maintenance. The motion clarified the county’s intent to co-own the property with the City of San Marcos and to work with the city and the tax increment reinvestment zone on terms.

County staff said the goal is a short‑fused negotiation to remove the parcel from an active purchase offer and then return to the court with a formal agreement for final approval. Judge Becerra said the court would expect a follow-up agenda item, and staff noted the possibility of an item returning for formal approval as soon as the following week.

The motion carried on a roll call vote of five to zero: Commissioners Inglesby, Smith, Cohen and Hammer and Judge Becerra voted yes.

Speakers quoted or paraphrased in this report are identified in the meeting record.","The county authorized its civil division to negotiate a purchase agreement with the City of San Marcos and the downtown tax reinvestment zone for a vacant parcel on Lee Street to preserve a historic Hispanic block. The court approved committing up to $500,000 from FY25 funds and said the final agreement will be brought back for court approval.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":92,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6586313,"Votes at a glance: Hays County Commissioners Court actions, Aug. 19",1120,2377000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5545552-c7f2adb4130d117397ca37dfac1f877c&start=2377&end=3497","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5545552-c7f2adb4130d117397ca37dfac1f877c/thumbnail_2377000.jpg","/articles/6586313/Hays-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Hays-County-Commissioners-Court-actions-Aug-19","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586313-fefaae38676e70181e519b3c531be2bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770423716&Signature=EMaO9Jsl8aNcXXoozYmvTXx9C3JBuXjiRZPoqszGR7V25bLVHyOlf38AjBWaUKx3J28kK1JhlEQbtlsf7WCaw2oUiVeGY7JkfGpdBAOw7dG936DIpgjEJM9FabFwokvlTrtXcWxd77IGgIClq0nByzNelnsC4lVubRhowBmTxvOUKBoaEiiLyuRsM01W9~a~~inGJxpmP62DJCpefqnyJ2xXol8AvZLTKJbsbT5O5JQDcMo-bA8yTZW5-b31aJQuzd5oLI2I1pn55ulYekprIeHKhkFwxEx1ZPIwNRr~t4wAIj55VxFFtPkVxIyFBJAzIFEnqaxU~~ZQHpDEszYd1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Summary of actions and roll-call outcomes from the Hays County Commissioners Court meeting.

- K3 — Approve selection of HDR Architecture Inc. to develop design and construction documents for the East Side Campus and authorize staff/civil division to negotiate contract. Outcome: approved; roll call: Inglesby (yes), Hammer (yes), Smith (yes), Cohen (yes), Judge Becerra (yes).

- K6 — Authorize civil division to negotiate purchase with the City of San Marcos and downtown TIRZ for property adjacent to Centro Cultural Hispano (Lee Street) and commit up to $500,000 from FY25 undesignated capital funds; return formal agreement to court. Outcome: approved; roll call: Inglesby (yes), Smith (yes), Cohen (yes), Hammer (yes), Judge Becerra (yes).

- M2 — Authorize acceptance of counteroffer from landowners regarding Parcel 2 for RM 12 and Jacobs Well Road right-of-way safety improvement project in Precinct 3. Outcome: approved; unanimous roll call.

- M4 — Authorize execution of Chapter 381 economic development incentive agreement with Midway Development Group LLC (Project Cat Tree) for a hotel and conference project at or near 429 N. Guadalupe St.; described minimums included a 130-room hotel and minimum capital investment of $40,000,000; incentive structure presented as a sales tax rebate schedule. Outcome: approved; unanimous roll call.

- Consent slate G1–G13 — Includes payments of county invoices, juror disbursements, healthcare claims disbursement authorization up to $500,000 for the claims account, utility payments, building maintenance purchases, and approvals to advertise RFP 2025-P-08 countywide printing. Outcome: approved; unanimous roll call.

- LJA Contract Amendment — Contract amendment No. 4 for right-of-way acquisition services with LJA Engineering Inc. for Hillside Terrace project (increased compensation cap by $22,500 for supplemental work authorization). Outcome: approved; unanimous roll call.

- Subdivision acceptance — Acceptance of Crosswind Subdivision Phase 3B road construction and surface drainage improvements and associated bonds and maintenance/revegetation bonds. Outcome: approved; unanimous roll call.

- J1 — Call for public hearing on Rolling Oaks Section 4 Lot 54 replat for Aug. 19 (public hearing scheduling item). Outcome: motion to hold call for hearing approved; unanimous roll call.

- K1, K2 — Approve assessment and collection agreements for Anderson Park Public Improvement District and Mason Mudd Summit. Outcome: approved; unanimous roll calls.

- K4 — Authorize reimbursements for lodging, mileage, overtime and meal per diems for Office of Emergency Services employees deployed under the Texas Division of Emergency Management related to July 4 flooding; amend budget accordingly. Outcome: approved; unanimous roll call.

- K5 — Order county auditor to perform an audit and issue a report of fiscal accounts and records for Emergency Services District 7 per Section 775.082(e) of the Texas Health and Safety Code. Outcome: approved; unanimous roll call.

For many items the court requested staff return with formal agreements for final approval and noted some funds (for example, the Lee Street parcel) are contingent on partner commitments. Where staff referenced fund sources, the meeting record indicates ARPA and undesignated capital funds were used for some prior commitments.

This roundup covers all motions recorded in open court and the related roll-call outcomes. Individual agenda items contain additional discussion and next-step directions recorded in the meeting transcript.","The court approved multiple procurement, property and administrative items including HDR selection for the East Side Campus, authorization to negotiate purchase of the Lee Street parcel, acceptance of right-of-way and subdivision bond items, and an economic development incentive for Project Cat Tree.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6586317,"Hays County reports jail crowding; outsourcing this week estimated at $134,045",68,3986000,4054000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5545552-c7f2adb4130d117397ca37dfac1f877c&start=3986&end=4054","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5545552-c7f2adb4130d117397ca37dfac1f877c/thumbnail_3986000.jpg","/articles/6586317/Hays-County/Texas/Hays-County-reports-jail-crowding-outsourcing-this-week-estimated-at-134045","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586317-eb4ea2b4c83fab0ce1f6210dfffafe73/orig.mp4?Expires=1770423716&Signature=mjAVk1nU5F0OzqzTTkUMduDmL5bDF681A9b7ABd9gk4pq03hEYyByEtqz6rZB1CY2X4loaywFLIzmXhz9xZHMLXTwNrnnbt2-U2tLfQkNzGBcxmPOHxfyAQq5R1yazG4z4CY04VPI5Ti7AF39A9vyanu3nmenMcGPUVzflQ1sZGE3InBtZikljs9YRb~aIkkvZFxL7X3JG5TRZ5ie8N9bUHN9VHxTQ3hO43whN2SoXZvwA55jwCdDZs47p3Aqf7fHfAWuFjM1isB6B18n4cXgFm1PdSTNdyND1ZTWJwq9DlvQhgUqaF78-3gju6q3VxrGeXpakO~TZj~eKUM-DXezg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hays County officials reported this week that jail crowding has required outsourcing inmates to other counties, with an estimated outsourcing cost of $134,045 for the current week.

County staff told the commissioners that the jail’s maximum capacity is 410 inmates and that jail standards recommend keeping about 10% of beds open, effectively lowering practical capacity to roughly 368. The county’s daily average jail population reported was 566 and the peak population reached 578 on Aug. 2. County staff said the average number of outsourced men housed elsewhere was 201 and there were no outsourced females at the time of the report; all outsourced inmates were housed in Haskell County.

Staff also reported there are 60 inmates described as “taper ready” — individuals who have completed local processing, been convicted and are awaiting placement as state inmates — and said the county hopes to secure state reimbursement for those cases because they reflect state, not county, responsibility.

The report was delivered as part of agenda item N1 and preceded the court’s executive-session items. No immediate vote followed the informational update.","County officials reported a daily jail average of 566, a peak of 578 on Aug. 2, and an estimated $134,045 in outsourcing costs for the week. The county’s maximum capacity is 410 with a practical capacity of roughly 368 when 10% is left open, officials said.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Budget workshop draws public calls to expand public defense and social services; county budget officer outlines ARPA and timing constraints

Hays County approves HDR to design East Side Campus; commissioners back timber-forward concept

Hays County authorizes up to $500,000 to negotiate purchase of historic block near Centro Cultural Hispano

Votes at a glance: Hays County Commissioners Court actions, Aug. 19

Hays County reports jail crowding; outsourcing this week estimated at $134,045