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Drivers can expect safer roads following the Hays County Commissioners Court meeting Tuesday morning.
Commissioners approved repairs for low water crossing emergency equipment across the county, which sustained damages from a car accident and floods this May. Likewise, the court voted to continue moving forward with a Multiple Use Agreement between the Texas Department of Transportation and Hays County that will allow for the installation and maintenance of early warning flood systems at the Onion Creek double crossing.
The commissioners also heard an update on the Central Texas Dispute Resolution Center, which receives funding from Hays County. Martha Joyce, the interim director of the center, presented information regarding the services the center provides as well as its progress throughout the past fiscal year.
The center provides mediation services for community, civil, family, divorce and child custody disputes as well as training for mediators and resources to prevent conflict.
Joyce said the center received $180,836 in funding from Hays, Caldwell and Comal counties in the past fiscal year through May 31.
“Our case intake for Hays County during the time period is 128 cases for the residents of Hays County.” Joyce said. “This means we serve a total of 324 citizens which impacted 142 children. These mediation services have saved Hays County approximately $632,00.32 as a result of cases being mediated through the (Central Texas Dispute Resolution Center).”
The center implemented a new program last year called peer mediation, which is part of a nationwide restorative discipline program adopted in Texas in 2015. Peer mediation aims to prevent violence throughout schools in the United States.
Additionally, the court authorized several budget requests throughout the county, including $74,251 on behalf of the Sheriff’s Office, which allows the office to utilize salary savings for the maintenance of vehicles along with a replacement air conditioning unit for the county jail.
The court also confirmed Jennings Graham as a Reserve Duty Constable, whose position will be effective June 25.
