Hays County Commissioners Court Discuss Feral Hog Abatement Program

By, Terra Rivers, Managing Editor

On Tuesday, January 8, Judge Ruben Becerra presided over his first Hays County Commissioners Court meeting.

The meeting included several executive session items regarding county staff and two items regarding Feral Hogs.

Commissioners considered “authorizing the execution of an interlocal agreement with the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service for the Feral Hog Abatenent Program and amend the budget accordingly (Item 19).”

The county Feral Hog Abatement Grant is designed to encourage counties across the State of Texas to make a concentrated and coordinated effort to reduce the feral hog population and the damage caused by them.

Hays County will participate in a co-managed, regional feral hog abatement effort with cooperating counties including Caldwell and Guadalupe. The grant will provide $13,100 in funding assistance for this program.

According to the agenda, the grant period is from Oct. 1, 2018, to August 31,2019, and the county will work with the Texas State University Meadows Center for Water and Environment to provide professional services for the grant program.

The item was listed on the commissioner’s consent agenda and passed 5-0 with no discussion.

Commissioners also discussed the possible action to “authorize the execution of an interlocal cooperation agreement between Hays County and Texas State University to be performed by the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment related to the 2019 Hays County Feral Hog Program.”

Commissioner Mark Jones told the Court that the Center would act as project manager, develop social media and conduct public outreach, move the live traps and report on the efficiency of the program.  

He also noted that the hogs are moving into subdivisions and are no longer just a rural concern. First Assistant County Auditor Vickie Dorsett clarified that the Feral Hog Abatement Program would provide $13,100 in grant funding, not $13,000 as indicated in the agenda item.

The agreement was approved with a vote of 5-0.

In other business, Commissioners voted for Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe to retain her position on the Economic Development San Marcos Board. Her appointment was part of the commissioner’s consent agenda.

According to commissioner Ingalsbe, the board reviews potential projects coming into San Marcos and makes a recommendation to the City of San Marcos on whether the city should offer potential incentives.   

The Economic Development San Marcos Board consists of 12 members including one resident at large, a city council member, two small business owners, who re residents of San Marcos, the San Marcos City Manager and a representative from the San Marcos Area Chamber and Hays County.