Author: admin

Deficits overshadow drafting of Devine ISD 2024-2025 budget

By Anton Riecher
Devine is only one of many Texas school districts facing potential budget deficits as school board trustees labor into the summer months developing their 2024-2025 budgets.
“We can only write checks for the amount of money we have in the bucket,” Devine superintendent Todd Grandjean said. “You have to start making tough decisions about personnel and resources.”
The Devine school board met May 14 for the second of three workshops scheduled to decide what should be included in the budget.
With no additional state funding for schools approved by the Texas Legislature in 2023 unofficial estimates project that more than half of the state’s school districts face dipping into money set aside in unassigned fund balance to cover emergencies.
Grandjean said the school board finds itself in much better shape regarding the new budget than anticipated.
“You always start with everything that anyone can possibly list as to what they feel can benefit students, improve…

TO CONTINUE READING…CLICK HERE or go to www.devinenewsmembers.com

Medina County seeks fire inspection arrangement with Microsoft; county cash balance at $34.2 million

By Anton Riecher
Medina County commissioners have approved an agreement with Microsoft under the Texas Local Government Code to provide fire inspection services at the company’ new 106,012-square-foot data center near Castroville.
The action was taken May 13 during the commissioners regular session.
“This is a culmination of something started several years ago when Judge (Chris) Schuchart was still here,” County Judge Keith Lutz explained. Starting with the new Microsoft campus the objective was to position the county government to conduct commercial code inspection countywide.
The three-year agreement with Microsoft will bring the county $100,000 a year to perform fire inspection services at the new $230 million data center on FM 1957. Under chapter 381 of the Texas Local Government Code counties are allowed to provide incentives encouraging developers to build in their jurisdictions.
In other development news, a public hearing on levying assessments on property located within the Haby Farms Public Improvement Distrtict improvement area number one drew no comment.
Commissioners passed an order accepting and approving a service and…

TO CONTINUE READING…CLICK HERE or go to www.devinenewsmembers.com

Congressman Gonzales working to deliver $4.5 Million Emergency Operations & Training Center in Devine

Congressman Gonzales is working in Congress to deliver a $4.5 million community project to build a new emergency operations and training facility in Devine. This building would serve as an emergency operations center, emergency services training facility, warming center, voting center, and provide educational services. This project would improve emergency services, bolster economic development, as well as provide educational and occupational opportunities. 
“This project will help everyone in the region from age 1 to 100 and would not have been possible without the diligent efforts of Congressman Gonzales and his staff. Two years of planning and hard work to…

TO CONTINUE READING…CLICK HERE or go to www.devinenewsmembers.com

Class of 1974 Natalia High School 50 Year Reunion

The NHS Class of 1974 will be having its golden 50 Year Reunion on June 22nd at the Triple C Restaurant in Devine from 4 to 9:30 pm. The cost is $30 per person to cover the meal, beverage and appetizers. Pay upon entry in cash, by Paypal or Cashapp.
There will be awards, free drawing prizes, trivia about classmates and much more.
See our Facebook page: Natalia High School Class of 1974 or you can call Paul at (210) 378-8767.

Farm and Ranch land disappearing rapidly in Medina Co.

With Medina County farms and ranches being subdivided rapidly, land being used for agriculture decreased by over 15,600 acres in one year (2023-2024). The amount of ag land lost last year is more than the amount of agriculture land lost than in the previous five years combined. Land used for residential increased by over 15,500 acres in Medina County in the same 1-year time period (2023-2024).
In the past 11 years, nearly 34,000 acres of farms and ranches have been developed and are no longer used for agriculture.
Vanishing farm and ranch operations is a statewide and nationwide problem. With Texas leading the nation in ag operations…

TO CONTINUE READING…CLICK HERE or go to www.devinenewsmembers.com