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Kendall County approves purchase of 50‑acre conservation easement under Proposition A (4–1)
Summary
After a public hearing and committee briefing, Kendall County Commissioners Court authorized up to $125,000 to buy a conservation easement on a 50‑acre parcel at 23 FM 474. The vote to accept the Proposition A committee recommendation was 4–1; supporters emphasized long‑term water, wildlife and open‑space benefits.
Kendall County Commissioners Court on Oct. 14 voted to authorize purchase of a conservation easement on a 50‑acre parcel identified as 23 FM 474 in Boerne, using Proposition A funds. The court amended the motion to specify payment of $50,000 to the landowner plus up to $75,000 in transaction costs, for a total not to exceed $125,000, and approved the purchase with four commissioners in favor and one opposed.
The public hearing brought multiple supporters to the lectern. Carolyn Shipman Evans, who described herself as sixth‑generation on family land and a founder of the Cibolo Nature Center, urged the court to continue using Proposition A to protect open space and water resources, saying the bond demonstrates that "families who choose stewardship are supported and appreciated by their neighbors and their local government." Proposition A was cited repeatedly as community‑backed funding; staff and the Proposition A committee described average per‑acre payments and transaction costs from prior easement acquisitions when recommending the award.
Rusty Quick, speaking for the Proposition A committee, summarized the committee’s review: the committee recommended paying the owner $50,000 and transaction costs not to exceed $75,000, based on comparable per‑acre valuations and conservation value. Quick said the committee recorded eight votes for, three against and three absentees in its review and noted appraisals were anticipated; the committee described the conservation value as a cost‑effective way to protect large swaths of open space at roughly $900 per acre after transaction costs.
County staff moved the acceptance of the committee recommendation with the incorporated dollar amounts and the court approved the motion 4–1 (Commissioner Dunn/Precinct 4 recorded the lone 'no'). The court’s action uses Proposition A bond funds and binds the county to the payment and transaction‑cost limits shown in the motion. Staff noted the easement requires typical closing and trust escrow work and that the trust company will be responsible for monitoring the easement in perpetuity.
Next steps include finalizing trust closing documents, completing any required appraisals, and recording the easement deed.
