Hays County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Hays County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Specialty Court grant funding
The DWI/Drug Court and Mental Health Court together received about $263,000 in state grants with no county match — funding staff, treatment and monitoring for participants.
Jail Overpopulation and Outsourcing Costs
The jail is holding about 533 inmates against a recommended 417, with roughly $68,000 a week spent housing inmates in Haskell County — including 40 state-ready prisoners the state should take.
Juvenile Diversion Program Staffing
Local judges and justices of the peace urged the court to fund a second juvenile diversion coordinator position, citing severe caseload backlogs and lengthy wait times for families.
Police Services Contract
Westlake is cutting ties with the Keller Police Department, which means the town has to scramble to set up a brand new way to keep people safe. If you live nearby, any major shifts in regional policing could affect response times and public safety resources in your backyard.
Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) Housing Support Funding
Community advocates urged the county to maintain vital funding for temporary supportive housing within the AOT program, emphasizing its success in housing former inmates with mental illness and reducing recidivism.
Neighborhood Defender Services Staff Strike and Indigent Defense Oversight
The court addressed a recent seven-day strike by unionized staff attorneys at Neighborhood Defender Services, raising serious ethical and legal concerns about client representation, advance notification, and oversight of public defense contracts.
Emergency Services District Dispatch Fees
Representatives from local Emergency Services Districts raised concerns about new fees from the Combined Emergency Communications Center (CECC) impacting their operating budgets and emergency response capabilities.
Emergency Weather Shelter and Social Services Funding
Residents advocated for funding non-profits like the Home Center and Price Center. Due to an administrative classification error, the Price Center was initially omitted from FY 2027 funding, prompting the court to reallocate funds to meet their $10,000 request.
Jail-Based Competency Restoration Program
Hays County established a new partnership to provide mental health competency restoration services directly inside the jail. This program aims to cut down massive waitlists and high daily costs for inmates waiting for state hospital beds.
Special Legal Counsel Engagement on Canceled Procurement
The court hired outside legal counsel to investigate a canceled procurement process and review the County Treasurer's bond liability.
Emergency Management Planning
Hays County is finally updating its disaster playbook to get ahead of the next big flood or storm. It’s a proactive move to make sure our neighborhoods aren't caught off guard when the weather turns ugly.