Buda City Council Extends Emergency Disaster Declaration
Buda, Texas – The Buda City Council voted Friday in a special meeting to extend the disaster declaration issued by Mayor George Haehn on March 13 until further notice.
The declaration ensures that the City of Buda will have access to Federal and State resources while the coronavirus impacts lives, businesses, and most aspects of everyday life.
On Thursday, March 19, Governor Abbott declared that all schools, gyms, bars and restaurants will be closed for 14 days to prevent further spread of the COVID-19 virus in Texas; the order went into effect on Friday, March 20, at 11:59 PM and runs through 11:59 PM on April 3.
County Judge Ruben Becerra issued a second order closing all daycare centers in Hays County for the same time period as the Governor’s ruling.
In solidarity with Judge Becerra, Mayor Haehn has also ordered the closure of daycare facilities in Buda for 14 days starting at 11:59 PM on Friday, March 20. The order lasts until 11:59 PM on April 3.
“This was a tough decision that was made after much discussion with my counterparts across Hays County. I am thankful for their leadership, and we are working together to keep our communities safe,” Mayor George Haehn said.
One of the ways that COVID-19 spreads is through person-to-person contact.
According to the city, there are a number of businesses impacted by closures, and one of the best ways to get them all back-up and running is by social distancing, which is extremely difficult to manage in a daycare facility.
“A task force has been assembled to look at alternatives to our current Order closing daycare facilities through April 3, and we are looking forward to their recommendations,” County Judge Ruben Becerra said.
The Governor has issued an Order limiting gatherings to no more than 10 persons during the same timeframe as the Judge’s Order, and the County and cities are doing their best to break the cycle of CORVID-19 spread by closing daycare facilities in Hays County for the approximate two-week timeframe.
The Order by Judge Ruben Becerra on March 19, with agreement from city mayors, could be extended or rescinded.
The city council also discussed the financial impact of COVID-19 to local businesses. Out of that discussion city council commissioned a joint task force to address the needs of businesses in Buda.
“We are thankful to the City Council for taking steps to ensure a solid economic footing for the businesses in Buda. There are going to be some things done for small business, but not only small business, but business throughout the City of Buda. They commissioned a joint task force that is made up of representatives of the City, the Buda Economic Development Corporation, the Buda Area Chamber of Commerce, the Main Street Director, and Tourism Director,” officials said.
City Council adopted a resolution ratifying the City Manager’s Emergency Directives and adopted Emergency Policies pertaining to Emergency Event Telecommuting and an Emergency Event Leave for City of Buda staff.
In the meantime, City services are still being offered with modified and virtual access to employees.
“The City of Buda is fully operational, although we are not servicing customers face to face in our typical office setting. We want Buda citizens to know that the Mayor, Council, myself, and City employees will continue to work to meet your needs through this ever-evolving situation,” City Manager Kenneth Williams said.
“I want the Citizens of Buda to know that we will get through this together. These temporary restrictions are painful, but necessary. The sooner we can stop additional spread of the virus, the sooner we can regain some normalcy,” Mayor Haehn said.
