Kerr County court approves resolution to pursue venue tax, hears $4–5M repair list for Hill Country Youth Event Center

Kerr County commissioners on Monday unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the planning, acquisition, establishment, renovation and construction of the Hill Country Youth Event Center as a venue project and to pursue an election on a venue tax dedicated to that facility.

The vote followed a presentation on the indoor arena and Ag Barn improvements that included a prioritized list of needs — an electrical service upgrade, a fire suppression system, removal of dirt and installation of a concrete floor, lighting and ventilation upgrades, door and wall repairs, and new toilets and wash-down areas — with cost estimates ranging from tens of thousands up to several million dollars.

The venue-tax resolution matters because, as presenters and several commissioners stressed, any tax proceeds approved by voters would be dedicated to the event center rather than to the county general fund. “The venue tax is dedicated to the venue,” Commissioner Jones said during the discussion, stressing that the plan would keep funds tied to the facility.

Presenter Charles Paces reviewed work completed to date — a roof replacement paid largely with ARPA funds, structural engineering and ongoing design contracts — and showed estimates provided by engineering firms. Paces said the most immediate safety priority is a new incoming electrical service, which the engineer estimated at roughly $136,000; a fire suppression system was estimated at about $750,000; and removing dirt and pouring a concrete floor was estimated at roughly $1.4 million because of preparatory work such as plumbing and conduit installation.

Paces told the court that existing contracts for architecture and engineering are in place and recommended limiting construction work until a funding plan is secured. He described a number of financing options the court could pursue if it decides to move forward: a voter-approved venue tax (which requires an election), a certificate of obligation or other debt instruments (which entail repayment schedules), renewed attempts at a hotel-occupancy tax through the Legislature, targeted grants (for example, LCRA or private foundations for fire suppression), stakeholder fundraising, or using bond proceeds. He noted recent attempts to change law to allow a hotel-occupancy tax did not pass during the last legislative session.

Commissioners and staff debated sequencing and urgency. Several members emphasized the difference between maintenance and improvements, saying basic safety and deferred-maintenance items (electrical safety, hazardous receptacles) should be addressed first, while large improvements should wait until a funding mechanism is identified. Paces said the court could phase projects and contract separate scopes to reduce general-contractor markups.

Commissioners also discussed the court’s previous use of ARPA funds and the limits of annual budgeting for multi‑million-dollar projects. A motion by a commissioner to include $100,000 in next year’s proposed budget for the electrical upgrade was withdrawn after staff noted any allocation must be handled through the formal budget process; the presenter asked that the county judge consider including $100,000 in the proposed budget for fiscal year 2025–26.

After additional remarks urging a stakeholder approach and a stepwise funding plan, Commissioner Jones moved and the court voted unanimously to approve the venue-tax resolution and to proceed with planning and the legal steps necessary to put the measure to voters. The resolution, if placed on a ballot and approved by voters, would dedicate proceeds to the Hill Country Youth Event Center and its approved venue-project uses.

The court did not authorize construction work or specific contracting as part of this vote; the presentation and subsequent discussion were informational and the court directed staff to continue design and cost-engineering work and return with detailed recommendations tied to funding availability.

Funding questions remain: commissioners asked staff to continue pursuing grants, stakeholder fundraising, and to coordinate with the Economic Improvement Corporation and other regional partners on potential support. Paces and staff said they will continue engineering design work and return with cost‑refined scopes that can be phased and competitively procured.

Looking ahead, commissioners asked for continued public engagement, broader stakeholder involvement (4‑H, stock show groups, sheriff’s office, building managers and others), and follow-up budget discussions prior to any appropriation.