Buda 2018: A Year In Review

Also honored as a finalist for Best Commercial Interior in the under 50,000 population category was the Buda Bike Co. Recognized for its unique design including, large windows, tall ceilings and natural light.

Hays County and its local communities are steadily growing with each passing year. Here is a look back at the highlights of 2018 for the City of Buda.

In January 2018, the final touches were still being put on the new Municipal Building.

February

City Council approved an amended water resource and drought response ordinance. The updated ordinance includes the addition of new definitions such as Outdoor Splash Pads and Protected Trees. Drought triggers were also modified.

It will take years for some coastal cities in Texas to recover from Hurricane Harvey. The Main Street Buda program presented a check to the Main Street Victoria program for Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.

The City launched a new and improved Buda Connect Mobile App. The digital tool provides citizens with a connection to local resources, news and other information.

Buda Main Street launched the Main Street Buda Downtown Improvement Grant (DIG), and it is now available to businesses and property owners located within the Main Street district. The goal of the grant program is to stimulate historic preservation and encourage private sector investment in downtown by collaborating with the public sector.

March

Good news came for the Buda Main Street program this year after receiving national accreditation.

April

It was a big year for health news in Buda. Baylor Scott and White broke ground on a full service hospital on the city’s east side. The new hospital will open in 2019. Ascension Seton Healthcare broke ground on a new health center on the city’s east side. It is set to open in 2019. And finally, St. David’s Healthcare will open a new 24-hour emergency care center near Cabelas in early 2019.

The City’s new ADA accessible senior transportation bus was unveiled at the Onion Creek Senior Center. The City’s Task Force on Aging named the new vehicle, S.T.A.R.,which stands for Seniors Taking a Ride.

The Fiscal Year 2016-17 annual audit of the City’s financial reports was completed by the City’s external audit firm Whitley Penn, LLP. The City has received a clean audit, meaning the City’s financial records were determined to be free of any misrepresentations.

It was another successful year for the Buda Lions Club Annual Wiener Dog Races. The event brings thousands to Buda every year.

Construction began on the Green Meadows Splash Pad. After several unforeseen delays, construction wrapped up late in the year. It will officially open in the Spring of 2019.

May

The City’s Historic Preservation Commission recognized the preservation efforts made by individuals and businesses in the Buda Historic District. Four different properties were recognized.

Buda Back in the Day, the city’s video series that covers historical Buda landmarks, received an Award of Honor from the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers

June

In June, City Council approved district lines for single member district lines for Districts A, B, and C. n November of 2017, voters approved an amendment to the City Charter for the City of Buda to transition to single-member districts. Buda City Council Places 2, 4, and 6 will be the first to switch from at-large to single-member districts.

Construction began on the San Antonio St. and Garison Road project.  The project focused on intersection safety improvements by separating San Antonio St. and Garison Road turning movements. It is now finished.

Buda Main Street launched a new summer concert series.  South Main Music Nights” kicked off the first day of summer at the south end of Buda Mill & Grain Co. The series featured live music from local bands and will continue next summer.

Project Ace serves up an indoor sports complex for Buda. City Council adopted a resolution authorizing a performance agreement between the Buda Economic Development Corporation and Project Ace ownership group WAMSFTX LLC for a multi-use complex and associated retail center.

Buda Fun Fish at Bradfield Park gets bigger every year. The kids were taught how to fish and enjoyed an afternoon of fun.

July

Buda celebrated Independence Day with another successful Red, White and Buda parade downtown.  The annual fireworks show was held at Buda Sportsplex this year.

The City of Buda received the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Buda Presentation Award for the 2017-2018 Fiscal Year budget. The award recognizes quality budget practices and presentation.

After much anticipation, the new Buda City Hall, Library, and Economic Development Corporation office opened its doors. The City held a grand opening ceremony to celebrate the milestone.

The Texas Masonry Council gave the City of Buda the first Sustainable City Award for the Central Texas Region. The award was given for the City’s Unified Development Code and its exemplary commercial and residential masonry design standards.

August

Construction began on the Houston Street Drainage Improvement Project. The improvements are being made as part of Bond Proposition 4. The project is ongoing.

September

The Buda Fire Department received a Class 1 ISO rating, which is the highest possible rating. It’s used to measure the quality and effectiveness of fire protection in a community.

The City of Buda’s Planning Department received the Project Planning Award from the American Planning Association Central Texas Section for its Unified Development Code.  In 2017, Buda replaced the city’s land development and use regulations with a new Unified Development Code (UDC).

October

Boo-Da Halloween attracted another large crowd this year.

The City of Buda was the proud recipient of a Texas Municipal League Excellence Award. The Buda Police Department’s Mental Health Officer position won in the Public Safety category for cities under 25,000. The award recognizes the police department’s efforts to improve the safety and security of the city.

November

Buda Mill and Grain Company was named Best Economic Game Changer in a city with a population under 50,000 by the Texas Downtown Association. The category recognizes a project, program, or promotion that had a measurable impact on a downtown or commercial district in a striking and powerful manner. 

Also honored as a finalist for Best Commercial Interior in the under 50,000 population category was the Buda Bike Co. Recognized for its unique design including, large windows, tall ceilings and natural light.

Council Member Evan Ture, Mayor Pro-Tem Wiley Hopkins, Council Member Paul Daugereau and new Council Member Ray Bryant were sworn in after the November election. Buda City Council Places 2, 4, and 6 switched from at-large to single-member districts.

A big thanks to Buda Masonic Lodge #800. They held a cornerstone ceremony for the new City of Buda Municipal and Public Safety buildings.

The City of Buda is proud to announce that it has received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The City received the Certificate of Achievement for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR).

Downtown Buda’s first tree lighting ceremony was a success. After a countdown, the tree near the former Buda Public Library was lit.

December

Thanks to everyone who came out to Budafest! The annual holiday tradition was a lot of fun and many of you lined the streets downtown for the night parade and fireworks show.

Trail of Lights at Stagecoach Park added an extra weekend this year. And finally, 2018 marked City Manager Kenneth Williams 10-year anniversary with the City of Buda.

“Thank you for Mr. Williams for your exceptional leadership and helping to shape Buda into what it is today.”