Hays County cities approve water expansion, road changes and budget fixes

Residents of San Marcos, Kyle and Buda will see expanded water access after city councils approved millions in contract revenue bonds on Oct. 20. The funding supports the Carrizo Expansion Program, which adds water from the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer to the Alliance Regional Water Authority system. The project includes drilling seven new wells and expanding treatment plants, pump stations and raw water infrastructure.

The expansion increases daily water supplies for the three cities. San Marcos will gain approximately 2,603,829 gallons per day, Kyle will receive about 2,045,929 gallons per day, and Buda will add roughly 368,660 gallons per day. The Canyon Regional Water Authority, also an ARWA member, will contribute to the project costs.

In Kyle, the City Council revised plans for 12 intersections previously recommended for roundabouts. On Oct. 20, officials voted to proceed with roundabouts at Center Street and Old Stagecoach Road, as well as Goforth Road and Bunton Creek Road. However, the design for Windy Hill Road and Cherrywood is changing from a roundabout to a continuous Green T, while Lehman Road and Bunton Creek Road will receive a traditional traffic light. The switch at Windy Hill Road and Cherrywood will cost an additional $500,000 because the roundabout is already under construction. The change at Lehman Road and Bunton Creek Road will add $1.5 million to $2.5 million in total costs due to equipment and design inflation.

Kyle Council also tabled decisions on two intersections at Kohlers Crossing until the District 3 council seat is filled. The seat is currently held by Claudia Zapata. In Buda, the City Council postponed a vote on modifying 3.89 acres of parkland to accommodate the Old Black Colony Road Project. The change involves 0.42 acres of Whispering Hollow HOA Parkland, 2.40 acres of Whispering Hollow Park, and 1.07 acres of Summer Pointe Park. Officials plan to break ground in late 2027, with construction expected to take one year.

San Marcos City Council approved a zoning change to support a new Veterans Affairs hospital development near Wonder World Drive and State Highway 123. The unanimous 7-0 vote rezoned 4.6 acres from Commercial to Business Park, allowing for more flexible patient parking. Shannon Mattingly, director of land use and entitlements with Drenner Group, said the change makes it easier for patients to access the clinic. The council also postponed a vote on a zoning request from Sinai Pentecostal Church to build a new facility for Pennington Funeral Home. The site is located in a floodplain and the Edwards Aquifer transition zone. Representative Jessica Glosson Davis said further delays could risk the financial partnership between the church and the funeral home.

Hays County Commissioners Court amended the fiscal year 2026-27 budget to correct a clerical error affecting social services funding. The Price Center & Garden received no allocation because it applied under a different name than in previous years. County Budget Officer Scott Woodland said the organization previously submitted requests as the Greater San Marcos Area Seniors. The court voted to provide the requested $10,000 to the Price Center & Garden, identifying unaccepted grant awards from other organizations as a funding source.