[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6206072,"mediaKeyId","3767366-335c343da3fe81cfd78b0d65295bb1a5","parentId",3767366,"title","Hill Country Energy group plans public outreach after regulators decline meetings on battery storage","audioSeconds",221,"startMs",2455000,"endMs",2676000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3767366-335c343da3fe81cfd78b0d65295bb1a5&start=2455&end=2676","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3767366-335c343da3fe81cfd78b0d65295bb1a5/thumbnail_2455000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6206072/Kerr-County/Texas/Hill-Country-Energy-group-plans-public-outreach-after-regulators-decline-meetings-on-battery-storage","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206072-9bf7dce6e332c6b3c0ecbaa8f221915a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770509318&Signature=JkB8lwbUO2dlAmvvQ3qZif2V9dgs~rv9s6ZN1D0XCrdUmU5~5~xAG8CPkh3efYe-O2bvzJXNwdsWSkFvzNRKIYMuwauEeGCUccUP7qbPxbR56ktneZqT5FJFSs9W3SLfYVrZkvd9Fm4kO9qtnSdJ1DKZ5M8YI1vZ49UsSQ2wwQyCkNHhGcPF8IDgqNhsAJqymNQNUPmpMCsvo1Htf3T3EGNP~eW~ZI9i2h1BZOPiWATM9HwSz-S26Kp7gNOJLXIo05bb16jzDBsGhPq46hx~SLbR6426i~RlIkhwDR4jqAWqoRIvdkviJQmG8fZjLEmipMi6S8GHBraA9IvezuPydw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kerr County, Texas","date","2025-06-09T12:54:27Z","article","The Hill Country Energy Subregional Planning Commission (HCESRPC) will increase public outreach and consider hosting town-hall meetings to explain concerns about proposed battery energy storage systems after statewide regulators and LCRA declined repeated invitations to meet with the commission, an HCESRPC member told Kerr County Commissioners on Monday.

Representative to the court reported on a June 3 HCESRPC meeting and said the subregional commission has had difficulty securing attendance from the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA). \"We're having difficulty getting Public Utilities Commission and LCRA to attend one of our coordination meetings and hear our concerns. So it's time to kind of step up our game and take it to the public,\" the commission representative said.

Why it matters: BESS installations have prompted concerns in several Hill Country counties about siting, public-safety setbacks, communications with grid operators and local review processes. The subregional commission said it will recruit residents to submit comments and make phone calls to legislators and regulators if regulatory meetings remain unavailable.

The commission has been tracking related legislation and said bills passed in the recent legislative session were not \"game changers.\" An effort by state Representative West Verdell to require a 500-yard offset from adjacent property lines did not pass. The court was told Verdell’s outreach to the PUC has increased the chance the PUC will meet with the group.

The HCESRPC reported it had received a request to speak to the Ingram Oaks homeowners association and gave a similar report about a regional radio program appearance to explain concerns and encourage public participation. The subregional commission’s next meeting is tentatively scheduled for July 8 in Kerr County; the group said the date could change to accommodate a meeting with LCRA or the PUC.

Ending: The HCESRPC said its next step is public education and mobilization, including organized town halls and outreach to legislators, if state agencies do not respond to invitations to jointly discuss battery storage siting and safety.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kerr County Commissioners Court Session, June 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Hill Country Energy Subregional Planning Commission said it will step up public outreach and consider town halls after the Public Utilities Commission and LCRA declined meeting invitations to discuss battery energy storage system (BESS) projects.","taxTitle","taxId",54243,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6206077,"Kerr County to ask state comptroller for venue-tax fiscal study as part of possible referendum",497,9706000,10203000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3767366-335c343da3fe81cfd78b0d65295bb1a5&start=9706&end=10203","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3767366-335c343da3fe81cfd78b0d65295bb1a5/thumbnail_9706000.jpg","/articles/6206077/Kerr-County/Texas/Kerr-County-to-ask-state-comptroller-for-venue-tax-fiscal-study-as-part-of-possible-referendum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206077-6f89185f651a0a4cc993977134792907/orig.mp4?Expires=1770509318&Signature=hl3OPjR3t2ftlvRTv7JMAp6rpd3nKL5VeVez5lv70LERyxQ9aXkIUb8vLL8aLNOGt-rzAVUMYovmTyGinD3e-jVB7vwt3de60Nz-deHKdo33vILjrHRAv5XZPy6C-AAC4MZaRMSkma0jCeGKe3p9AL9BNHZvKkdzcx964xBZKZrox7aTCCWs9xrT7pbMeqPcNaw3DwAgDP-hCQc551G2foSWXFNsS8msr8pLpzvJcl43~2v9g7ZsvrY4zfi~M8~eScdCz9~pmQEtB3fv1RX9PMi31ApXnQof5j4UGMoDLvxlNxrIbkddFX9Oa8sTZuejnKtcCZiGjjC7tnw5xwCYiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kerr County Commissioners asked the county attorney and outside counsel to prepare a resolution requesting a fiscal-impact study by the Texas Comptroller to assess a potential venue tax, and discussed timing and estimated revenue if the county proceeds to a referendum.

Commissioner Jones moved that the court authorize counsel to draft the resolution. Court staff outlined timing constraints tied to the November election: orders to call an election would need to be in place by mid-August to meet ballot deadlines, and the comptroller would generally require 30 days to provide its fiscal analysis after receiving the resolution.

Why it matters: a venue tax — a tax on lodging and similar commercial venue activity — would be levied at a rate different from the county’s current hotel-occupancy tax and could include collections across the county (including incorporated cities) if voters approve. Commissioners said the measure could generate materially more revenue than the county’s earlier HOT proposal because it would include city jurisdictions; staff offered a staff estimate that last year’s collections under the proposed venue tax model could have brought roughly $523,858 versus prior estimates of $300,000–$350,000 under a county-only HOT.

County Treasurer (identified in discussion as Bob) and staff (Tracy) briefed commissioners about the scheduling and the comptroller procedure. “If we wanted to act on it within this current calendar year, it’d have to be on the ballot for the November election,” county staff said, noting the court would have to issue an order calling for an election on or before August 11 to make the November ballot.

Commissioners emphasized the decision would be placed before voters if the county moves forward. “We don’t put a lot in our capital improvement. That’s one of my greatest surprises,” one commissioner said, arguing that a designated venue tax could fund infrastructure and maintenance without raising the general property tax rate.

Next steps: counsel will draft the resolution for submission to the comptroller’s office. If the court chooses to proceed after the fiscal study, the court would need to adopt an order formally calling an election by the mid-August deadline to place a venue-tax referendum on the November ballot.

Ending: The court voted unanimously to pursue the fiscal-impact study and directed county counsel to prepare the formal submission to the comptroller; any tax change would require voter approval and further action by commissioners.","The commissioners asked county counsel to draft a resolution seeking a state comptroller fiscal-impact study on a venue tax; the court agreed to pursue scheduling that could place a referendum on the November ballot if the county proceeds.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6206081,"Commissioners authorize geotechnical and structural contracts for indoor arena addition over dissent; vote 3–2",875,5742000,6617000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3767366-335c343da3fe81cfd78b0d65295bb1a5&start=5742&end=6617","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3767366-335c343da3fe81cfd78b0d65295bb1a5/thumbnail_5742000.jpg","/articles/6206081/Kerr-County/Texas/Commissioners-authorize-geotechnical-and-structural-contracts-for-indoor-arena-addition-over-dissent-vote-32","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206081-d274a22f7eaf4bec84787d4fd153ed7e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770509318&Signature=P8EeAJL0-sQExUP4ssa9PDMejfXkIAoAekJo0uOMTNZ6bjSFp9VKVkVkSustyHvXFn5zHZr37SUWhGrTm2IKewXi6sqsr2o4rkNz9n6rr0FN~0gyVvyHgE1KBUTHgNjTKvPtSrxbDewgL-NL30ShP7TrXjdcyaDQEqft07Jlsbzug-61WKAa1CwkdYloSi-9D1V6j5RKvUEzU9ywrvjwCwDAf-Li54ARboV-hweiuLhrEENobJahtbDauaL2QnunQCinYiUXpvsJNUVP6wyqt0fpdYxG1i68OALNz5M7MzoxIxZ5vScbjORhUe8v0no4fbpyKk1Ude6LdrcANkYfCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kerr County Commissioners voted 3–2 on Monday to authorize geotechnical and structural engineering contracts needed to design a concrete slab and structural retrofits for the Indoor Arena east addition.

The court authorized a not-to-exceed $3,700 contract with Wellborn Engineering and Surveying for geotechnical work and a not-to-exceed $12,075 contract with Maxwell Engineering PLLC for structural engineering related to retrofits. Both actions passed on 3–2 votes.

Why it matters: the contracts fund design steps required if the county later proceeds with a concrete-floor installation or other structural retrofits at the indoor arena. Opponents questioned why the court moved forward on design work after voters rejected the bond measure that had included similar arena upgrades.

County Engineer Charlie Hastings told the court the engineering work is narrowly scoped: the geotechnical report is needed so the structural engineer can design a slab if and when the court decides to install one. “The geotech is gonna go in and show what the soil conditions are, and then that recommendation and that data will go to this structural engineer so that he can design the slab,” Hastings said.

Commissioners who opposed the contracts said they were concerned about advancing design steps tied to a plan that voters rejected in 2022. Commissioner Jones asked why the court was authorizing further work on a project related to a failed bond; the record shows the motion carried 3–2 after discussion that included clarifying prior ARPA funding and structural repairs already completed.

Court members supporting the contracts argued the work is preparatory and will be useful if and when the court seeks to proceed with capital investment. Supporters noted the court had previously allocated $710,000 last year for arena-related improvements and that structural repairs and a new roof had already been completed using ARPA and other funds.

Next steps: consultants will perform the geotechnical investigation and deliver recommendations to the structural engineer. The county will return to commissioners with designs, cost estimates and any recommended contract actions before construction work is ordered.

Ending: The split vote underscores continuing debate among commissioners about pursuing arena improvements after the failed bond; the design contracts keep the option open but do not authorize construction.","Kerr County approved contracts for geotechnical and structural engineering for the Indoor Arena east addition, authorizing $3,700 to Wellborn Engineering and $12,075 to Maxwell Engineering, despite commissioners noting the 2022 bond election had not passed.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6206087,"Kerr County approves extra testing, construction change orders for animal services facility and opens sale process for old shelter",318,4363000,4681000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3767366-335c343da3fe81cfd78b0d65295bb1a5&start=4363&end=4681","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3767366-335c343da3fe81cfd78b0d65295bb1a5/thumbnail_4363000.jpg","/articles/6206087/Kerr-County/Texas/Kerr-County-approves-extra-testing-construction-change-orders-for-animal-services-facility-and-opens-sale-process-for-old-shelter","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206087-c6f1845074066096947015ca723484ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1770509318&Signature=YFEiZI~8b-f1fHOxO12l1TTWdtmTzXAR0uJWe9x7pJaenUStYksAy134MH8sF~WjRabEVSxR2T4ZROqKQohMqACOB0nkwKPXZHemnD8DDZKL7sQDxd0ji-v-SHqrmi5c9Q4m9pY7-q1CJUrEHsg0HSJNXgj-4j8db~9QlTO~9jQPFVIBqY7TK-zmB3ciaudRLd7qvkPscR8WEXOoOYuNDU7xQsqs5csk2yfTiptx6X8DU0DxVgnAf0wMRMfLSBRHn21s~NV4cNqPH3IUuYjTF7P7fDDxV8S~PfWK05l9ZxioEYV4TTtHN~W2~Tmzz4xR4f1vFHq0DFi543Oulzmm2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kerr County Commissioners on Monday approved additional construction testing and change orders for the county’s new animal services facility, authorized work to meet new safety and mechanical requirements, and directed staff to begin the process to appraise and offer the former animal shelter property for sale.

The court voted unanimously to increase the material-and-utility testing budget and to authorize a change order with UES Professional Services 44, LLC. County engineers later won approval for a separate construction change order with J.K. Bernhardt Construction Company covering fire-code doors, panic hardware and an IT-room mini-split HVAC unit.

The actions come as the county manages the facility’s construction budget and pursues related utility and site work. “The county engineer requests the court increase the material and utility testing budget from $33,392 to $41,082 and authorize the county judge to execute a change order with UES Professional Services 44, LLC in the amount of $17,950,” County Engineer Charlie Hastings told the court.

Why it matters: the approvals cover testing and required construction items the county says were not fully priced in earlier estimates and are needed to comply with code and to protect systems (for example, HVAC for IT equipment). The court also authorized appointing a committee to review proposals for a rainwater catchment system for the new facility and moved to begin the formal sale process for the county’s older animal services property at 3600 Loop 534.

Most immediate decisions: the court increased testing funds to pay UES’s final estimate, accepted a $38,034.12 J.K. Bernhardt change order for Sally port panic hardware, a fire-rated door, chemical-resistant doors and a mini split HVAC for the IT room, and approved sending the old animal services property to appraisal and solicitation.

County Engineer Charlie Hastings told commissioners the final testing estimate came after UES received the construction schedule in April and identified additional needed services. “The total is $37,150, which is $7,150 over the court budgeted amount for material and utility testing,” Hastings said, noting bond interest accruals increased the available fund balance to about $60,093 as of May 29.

Reagan Gibbons, director of Kerr County Animal Services, presented donations and earlier procurement steps; Hastings and court members said earlier roofing and structural work had been done and that the new charges respond to items that arose once construction moved from design into building.

On the rainwater catchment procurement, the court appointed a three-person selection and review committee to evaluate qualifications and proposals. The court named Commissioner Richard Holt, County Engineer Charlie Hastings and grant coordinator Noelle Putnam to the committee and set the RFQ/bid window (the solicitation information is posted on the county website).

On the property sale, the court voted to begin the formal process to sell the county-owned building at 3600 Loop 534. The court also designated a three-person committee to administer the appraisal and solicitation process, authorized staff to expend funds for the required public notice and appraiser, and instructed staff to draft minimum acceptable terms after the appraisal. The court emphasized the process will follow the county’s sale policy and requirements under local government code.

What was not decided: the court did not award a buyer or set a price; the action was limited to starting appraisal and solicitation steps. Several commissioners asked that salvageable or useful assets (for example certain portable offices and a metal storage building) be identified and excluded from sale or otherwise retained for county use.

Next steps: the selection committee will evaluate rainwater-catchment proposals and report back to the court, staff will order an appraisal for the old shelter site and return with a recommended solicitation package and minimum terms for the property sale.

Ending: The approvals leave the animal services construction program largely on track but with additional budget requests the court said it will continue to track; the county also opened the sale process for the prior shelter property to potentially offset project costs.","Kerr County Commissioners approved a $17,950 change order for materials testing, a $38,034 construction change order and began the process to appraise and offer the old animal services building for sale, while appointing a selection committee for a rainwater catchment system.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hill Country Energy group plans public outreach after regulators decline meetings on battery storage

Kerr County to ask state comptroller for venue-tax fiscal study as part of possible referendum

Commissioners authorize geotechnical and structural contracts for indoor arena addition over dissent; vote 3–2

Kerr County approves extra testing, construction change orders for animal services facility and opens sale process for old shelter