Coalition says Hays County transportation bond would negatively impact environment

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – A Hays County coalition is concerned that if Proposition A passes – the $440 million transportation bond package– it could damage aquifers and deplete already scarce resources, per the Hays Coalition for Better Bond.

The bond program would allow the county to take on around 30 projects, fairly evenly dispersed across the region. Some officials said the project would improve safety and mobility, respond to the city’s continued growth, address existing roads, create new ones and support economic development across Hays County.

“A lot of the roads proposed in the road bond would fuel development over the recharge zone and within the Onion Creek watershed. These areas are water-scarce,” said Bobby Levinski, an attorney with Save Our Springs.

“To build new roads would just kind of encourage more growth over areas that are lacking water just doesn't make a lot of sense to us,” he continued

Levinski said 40% of the projects include new roads or road expansions over environmentally sensitive areas. 

Further, he said there was not a robust public input process prior to putting the bond package on the ballot. 

“Hays County voters are being given a choice on an up-down vote on the entire $439 million package,” Levinski said. “Really, what we're saying is just say no for November, and then let's have a public process where we can put together a better bond in May.” 

KXAN spoke to Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra in August about the commissioner’s court’s choice to call a bond election.

“The bond is necessary because for a very long time [we have been] the fastest growing county in the nation of populations north of 100,000,” Becerra said in August. “We have to keep up with the growth.”

If, in November, voters approve the bond program, it will increase property taxes by around two cents per $100 of home valuation. That would break down to about $80 a year for a home valued at $400,000 – just under $7 monthly. 

But the dollar amount per month may even be less, depending on how the county decides to roll out the program, according to previous reporting.