County to finalize vote center locations

Vote center locations will be solidified following this week’s Hays County Commissioners Court meeting. 

Tuesday morning Commissioners will vote to establish vote center locations, as well as appoint judges, for the November 2019 election. After the agenda item on voting locations was removed from last week’s agenda and therefore postponed, several election-related agenda items were delayed to this week. 

The decision on vote centers will follow a special session on Aug. 19, which was called by County Judge Ruben Becerra to discuss the topic of voting centers, selection of judges/alt judges and lack of underrepresented minority voting locations. 

In addition to the approval of vote center locations and judges, commissioners will also call an election to be held on Nov. 5, 2019 to vote for 10 Constitutional Amendments.

In other business, the court will approve the submission of a grant application to the U.S. Department of Justice, Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) for the purchase of bulletproof vests for county law enforcement officers. According to information provided in the agenda, bulletproof vests are replaced every five years. 

“The grant program provides a reimbursement for 50% of the cost of each vest and the county must pay the remainder of the cost,” states the agenda item request. “The application includes needs for both new officers and the replacement of existing bulletproof vests.” 

Additionally, commissioners will consider approval of Dannenbaum Engineering “to provide schematic, environmental documentation and Plans, Specifications & Estimates (PS&E) services for the Posey Road Corridor Improvements Project.” 

“The Posey Road Corridor Project from I-35 to Hunter Road has been identified as a high priority safety project for Precinct 3,” states the agenda item request. “The project will address widening, possible grade crossing at the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, and tie in to improvements under construction at I-35 and Posey Road.”

Charlie Campise, Hays County representative on the Hill Country Mental Health Developmental Disabilities Board, will also present to the Court about the Hill Country Mental Health Development Disabilities Board Meeting, which was held on June 4.

Commissioners will also vote on a proposed budget and tax rate for Fiscal Year 2020 as well as schedule public hearings, according to an agenda item request by Becerra. 

 The Hays County Commissioners Court meets Tuesdays on the third floor of the Hays County Historic Courthouse at 9 a.m.