Becerra named to 2 regional boards

Just weeks into the role, Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra has been picked to represent the county on two significant regional entities.

Commissioners voted unanimously for Becerra to replace Pct. 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe on the board of directors of the Capital Area Rural Transportation Systems (CARTS) and to replace former Pct. 4 Commissioner Ray Whisenant on the Central Texas Clean Air Coalition.

The former is a two-year appointment expiring in February 2021, while the latter will last until the end of the current calendar year.

Saying it’s time for new leadership, Ingalsbe welcomed the opportunity for Becerra to take over at CARTS. “I appreciate your willingness to serve,” said Ingalsbe, who has served on the board for 20 years. “I believe it’s time to have someone else represent the county.” 

CARTS provides regional transportation for non-urbanized areas of Hays, Caldwell, Blanco, Burnet, Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, Travis and Williamson counties as well as the San Marcos urbanized area. Its board of directors has 10 members, nine of which are appointed by the respective commissioners courts and one by the city of San Marcos. 

The Clean Air Coalition operates a regional air quality program. Ingalsbe made the motion for Becerra to be Hays County’s new representative and Pct. 4 Commissioner Walt Smith, who replaced Whisenant, made comments prior to the vote.

“I would encourage you to reach out to (Whisenant),” he told Becerra. “I know he served as vice chair.” He encouraged Becerra to “not only do that work but take an interest in it.”

“Just reach out to him,” he said, to which Becerra responded, “ Great idea.”

Pct. 2 Commissioner Mark Jones also noted that Whisenant “did a great job” representing the county on the Clear Air Coalition.