Hays County Commissioners To Consider Resolution On Permian Highway Project, Appointment Of New Tax Assessor-Collector

Staff Reports

On Tuesday, February 26, the Hays County Commissioners Court will consider taking a stance on Kinder Morgan’s Permian Highway Pipeline Project and consider the appointment of a new Hays County Tax-Assessor.

Commissioners will discuss and consider possible action to adopt a resolution opposing the Permian Highway Pipeline project; the proposed alignment of the project intersects with several environmentally sensitive areas in Hays County.

Commissioners Lon Shell and Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe are co-sponsors on the agenda item. The resolution mirrors a similar resolution considered by the Kyle City Council last week.

As part of the resolution of opposition, the document requests legislative and administrative changes be made to “create better regulatory processes for oil and gas pipeline routing that enable impacted landowners and local governmental entities to have a voice in approval process, require environmental and economic impact studies for all oil and gas pipelines and enhance checks and balances against the broad delegation of eminent domain authority to private companies.”

Commissioners will also cover several items regarding the Hays County Tax Assessor-Collector. Hays County announced on February 12 long-time Hays County Tax Assessor-Collector Luanne Caraway would be retiring effective February 28.

As part of item 43 on today’s agenda, commissioners will discuss and consider possible action to accept “the resignation of Luanne Caraway as Hays County Tax Assessor-Collector” and appoint a new tax assessor to fill Caraway’s unexpired term, which ends December 2020.

Commissioners will also discuss and consider transferring responsibility of any and all bank accounts managed by the Hays County Tax Assessor-Collector to the new appointee.

Finally, in executive session, commissioners will consult with counsel and deliberate regarding employment and duties of the Hays County Tax Assessor-Collector. Possible action may follow in open court.

In other news, Hays County Commissioners will consider a resolution to authorize the Hays County Judge to submit a grant application to the Office of the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division for the Hays County Volunteer Veterans at School Program.

According to the agenda, the purpose of the grant program “is to provide funding for projects that promote public safety, reduce crime and improve the criminal justice system.”

The project aims to increase public safety at schools during peak times of pick up and drop; the grant funds will be utilized to provide Volunteer Veterans CERT, CPR and Stop the Bleed Training to be able to respond appropriately and effectively in the event of an accident.

The grant is not to exceed the amount of $75,000.

Commissioners Court will convene bright and early at 9 AM Tuesday.