August 2019 Comal County e-news: Proposed budget, back-to-school vaccines, burn ban

Volume 4, Issue 8 | August 2019

Budget process underway with $111m proposal

County Judge Sherman Krause unveiled his recommended budget for 2020 on Aug. 1, proposing the county spend $110.9 million next year. It includes 28 new positions – 14 of them in law enforcement – and a revised salary structure designed to bring the county's wages in line with comparable counties. The proposed budget does not increase salaries for elected officials.

The tax rate to fund the budget would be 37.8 cents, about 2 cents more than in 2019 – an annual increase of about $50 on property valued at $250,000. Public hearings on the proposed budget and tax rate will take place later this month and in early September.

Proposed Budget

Burn ban in effect as summer heat continues

A ban on outdoor burning went into effect July 26 after a wet spring turned into a hot and dry summer.

Under a burn ban, no outdoor burning of any kind – including torches and campfires – is allowed, except barbecue grills if they are covered and set off the ground.

The burn ban is in effect for 90 days or until conditions change.

Burn Ban Info

Public Health celebrates immunization awareness

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, and the Office of Public Health reminds you that if you need to get caught up on your vaccines – or if your kids do before they head back to school – the office is ready to serve you.

Public Health is extending its hours to be open during the lunch hour from Aug. 12-30. Located at 1297 Church Hill Drive in New Braunfels, the office accepts cash, CHIP, Medicaid, Medicare Traditional Part B and Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Call 830-221-1150 for more info and to set up an appointment.

Office of Public Health

Applications open for gardener, naturalist classes

Applications are open for people interested in becoming a Comal Master Naturalist or Master Gardener.

These programs, sponsored in part by the Comal County Extension Office, are a great opportunity for residents to learn more about where they live – and pass that knowledge to others.

Extension Volunteers

Projects continue making progress

Four county-related projects are underway simultaneously: 1) Renovation of the Landa Building in downtown New Braunfels included recently pouring the concrete deck of the expanded second floor (top), 2) crews are installing structural steel for housing units in the new Comal County Jail (left), 3) the Texas Department of Transportation has begun replacing a bridge on Solms Road over Dry Comal Creek as part of a project swap with the county (right), and 4) crews have been demolishing structures at Loop 337 and South Interstate 35 , property Comal County purchased in 2016 to better plan for future growth.

Comal County Calendar

Canyon Lake

Precinct 1 Commissioner Donna Eccleston

1:30-4:30 p.m. 2nd and 4th Thursdays

Tye Preston Library, 16311 S. Access Road

Precinct 4 Commissioner Jen Crownover

10 a.m. – 3 p.m. 1st and 3rd Tuesdays

Fire/EMS Station No. 1, 1074 Scissortail

Veteran Services

9 a.m. – 3 p.m. 2nd Wednesday

Sattler Annex, 160 Oak Drive

Emergency Services District No. 3 board

5:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 14

Canyon Lake Fire/EMS Station 1, 1074 Scissortail

Emergency Services District No. 2 board

6:30 p.m. Thursday, August 15

Canyon Lake Fire Station 5, 1223 Island View

Water Oriented Recreation District board

5:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 21

WORD Headquarters, 1928 FM 2673

Garden Ridge

Emergency Services District No. 6 board

6:30 p.m. 2nd Monday

Bracken VFD Central Station, 23600 FM 3009

Veteran Services

9 a.m. – 3 p.m. 3rd Wednesday

City Hall, 9400 Municipal Parkway

Bulverde/Spring Branch

Precinct 1 Commissioner Donna Eccleston

1:30-4:30 p.m. 2nd and 4th Wednesdays

Fire/EMS Station No. 1, 353 Rodeo Drive

Precinct 4 Commissioner Jen Crownover

10 a.m. – 3 p.m. 2nd and 4th Tuesdays

Fire/EMS Station No. 2, 2016 Puter Creek Road

Emergency Services District No. 1 board

4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21 (hearing/meeting)

4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28 (public hearing)

BSB Fire/EMS Station 1, 353 Rodeo Drive

Emergency Services District No. 5 board

5:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 21 (tax hearing)

4 p.m. Wednesday, August 28 (regular meeting)

5:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 28 (tax hearing)

5:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 4 (adopt rate)

Johnson Ranch Fire Station, 30475 Johnson Way

Veteran Services

9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Wednesday, August 28

Bulverde Annex, 30470 Cougar Bend