City & County Politics – Page 2

Medina and Atascosa County landowners to be affected by proposed transmission line project

By Kayleen Holder
CPS Energy submitted the following answers to questions we asked regarding the Howard-Solstice Transmission Line Project. The project is a proposed 370-mile high-voltage line stretching from San Antonio to Fort Stockton, crossing up to 14 Texas counties, including Medina and Atascosa Counties”

Will ya’ll be using eminent domain, or will it be along the roadway?
We need to acquire new easements to safely construct, operate, and maintain the new lines. We negotiate with land owners to purchase the necessary easement, and will only use eminent domain as a last resort.

Does it involve Medina County or Atascosa County and to what extent?
CPS Energy and AEP Texas are evaluating multiple geographically diverse transmission line options for the project, which includes Medina and Atascosa counties. The PUCT will ultimately select the transmission line option that will be used. At the moment, there is no selected route, only preliminary segments at this time.

What is the driving factor behind this new transmission line?
The project is proposed ERCOT’s forecast of rapidly growing energy demand in the Permian Basin.
To learn more about the transmission project, visit cpsenergy.com/infrastructure. Please visit our public displays athttps://www.cpsenergy.com/content/dam/corporate/en/Documents/Infrastructure/howard-solstice/Open_House_Displays_ADA_72425.pdf
If ya’ll move forward with this project, at what point, would affected landowners be notified?
In February 2026, CPS Energy and AEP Texas plan to submit an application to the PUCT and will notify affected landowners at that time of the application submitted. Once the PUCT approves this project and selects the final Transmission line route (around August 2026), we will once again notify affected landowners of their decision.

How are these lines different from existing transmission lines? As in are they really bigger than others we currently have?
The 765 kV transmission lines are only slightly taller than our typical existing 345 kV transmission lines. However, they are wider to maintain safe clearance between the phase conductors. The big difference is the ability 765 kV lines have to transmit higher amounts of power, and do so with less (power) loss than a 345 kV transmission line. Essentially, there is an efficiency gain by using a higher voltage. A typical 765 kV transmission circuit can transmit the same amount of power as approximately six single 345 kV transmission circuits. From this perspective, a single 765 kV line will occupy much less overall space than running the equivalent six 345 kV circuits in parallel with one another.
How large is each structure supporting transmission lines approximately?
The typical tower height will range between 140 and 160 feet. The base of the self-supporting lattice structures will be about 45 feet wide. For the guyed structures, the guy wires will be attached to the ground about 60 feet from the center of the structure.

The typical span length (between structures) will range between 1,250-1,400 feet….structures may be closer or further apart to account for terrain or other constraints.

How many miles would the line be in Medina County and Atascosa County and where can I see a detailed map?
The length of the transmission line in each county will be dependent on the route that the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) selects and won’t be known until the final route is approved.
The preliminary study area map showing all segments and counties. Direct link to the map is here: https://www.cpsenergy.com/content/dam/corporate/en/Documents/Infrastructure/howard-solstice/Howard_Solstice_Study_Area_Map_ADA_71625.pdf

City of Devine hires Michelle Martin as new City Secretary

The City of Devine announced the hiring of Michelle Martin as City Secretary to replace retired City Secretary Dora Rodriguez who served the city for 41 years and retired in July.
“My family and I moved to the area 7 years ago,” stated Michelle Martin in her resume.
“I have worked for the State of Texas and City of San Antonio in supporting city infrastructure programs, grant projects, community engagement, non-profit support, and small business development with a total of 10 years experience. I have also worked on large corporate projects for USAA and Medtronic. I attended Texas A&M University – San Antonio where I attained my Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Masters in Business Management.”
“I am so grateful and humbled by the opportunity to be the next City Secretary for Devine. I look forward to meeting you all and building a partnership for a stronger community,” said Martin.
Rodriguez retired after 41 years
Dora Rodriguez served the citizens of Devine working at the City Office for the past 41 years in several capacities including the position of City Secretary as well as Interim City Administrator in her later years. Rodriguez graduated from Devine High School in 1984 and went to work for the City of Devine.
She announced her retirement on May 21 but with July 31 being her last day.
Rodriguez worked under many mayors and councils over the years and was a constant steady for all those coming and going. She earned many leadership and continuing education hours throughout her years of dedication to the citizens of Devine. She helped out her hometown through tough times and took on the city administrator job while serving as City Secretary also until the next City Admin was hired. This happened multiple times where she worked many 60 hour weeks.

Lytle eyes tax rate, hearings soon

During a regular session Monday the Lytle City Council voted 4-0 to approve a proposed tax rate of $0.446405 per $100 valuation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
The tax rate will be subject to public hearings before a final vote on passage. City Administrator Zachary Meadows said the proposed rate is slightly below the calculated maximum rate allowed by law without requiring voter approval.
However, the proposed rate does exceed the “no new revenue rate,” the amount that would produce the same amount of tax revenue as the previous year. The proposed rate was approved on a motion by District 3 Alderman David Emery, seconded by District 1 Alderwoman Anna Carrillo. District 5 Alderman Matthew Martinez was absent for the vote.

121 years of key personnel and historical knowledge quite a task to replace for City of Devine

By Kathleen Calame
Publisher
The City of Devine has been undergoing major transitions for the past couple months since four key personnel retired or resigned. After weeks of working through the hiring process all four key positions have been filled. This week we introduce the new Chief of Police Joe Brown III, and new City Secretary Michelle Martin. Next week we will introduce the new Court Administrator Cassandra Maldonado and Finance Director Sophia Benavides.
Devine City Administrator David Jordan explained…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

ESD2 considering big change,to host public meeting Aug. 12 to hear proposals from Devine Fire and ESD1

MCESD#2 who collects tax dollars to provide fire protection in the Devine area, has called a special public meeting for Tuesday, August 12th because they are discussing whether they will be contracting with ESD1 for fire services or staying with the Devine Volunteer Fire Dept. Costs and options will be presented to the board and it is their hope that citizens will attend to listen to the presentations.
They are having a called meeting on August 12th at 7:00 PM at the firehouse to hear proposals from both DVFD and MCESD1 to provide services to include any or all of the following: full time firefighters, leadership, accounting, maintenance and related services.
ESD2 purchased and owns the Fire House across from Devine High School on CR 5710, the fire engines, and most of the equipment and assets. DVFD has been able to provide the volunteers for fire services for many years, but has experienced a lot of changes in leadership and personnel in the past year, loss of volunteers, and financial problems. The transition to a paid fire department alongside the volunteers has affected the expenses as well.
The ESD#2 regular meeting will be the following week, on August 19 to set the budget and make decisions.
“As always we appreciate participation and really hope that everyone who’s concerned would be able to make it and hear our options alongside of us,” said Abigail Beadle, ESD2 Commissioner. Other ESD2 Board members are President Todd Summers, Jeff Howard, Ken Nighswander, Jerry Stevens.
Devine Volunteer Fire Department currently provides the service with a mix of paid fire fighters and volunteers. Less than a year ago in October 2024, the DVFD added 6 paid fire fighter positions and have recently discovered it needs much more money to keep it going than originally proposed by the prior Fire Chief Greg Atkinson who resigned. In July the DVFD provided an estimated budget with expenses to the ESD2 board by DVFD Fire Chief Jessica Martinez and Office Mgr. Sophia Benavidez.
Fire Chief Clint Cooke of MC ESD1 talked briefly at the July meeting about the various choices ESD1 offers , ability of keeping the local volunteers and department, all while providing leadership and fire services through ESD1.

Lytle council moves forward with improving Coal Mine access

By Anton Riecher
A task order for engineering work to extend Juarez Street to FM 683 and grant Lytle’s Coal Mine neighborhood a second entrance and exit was approved by the Lytle City Council Monday night.
“You are taking a vote that is solving an issue that the city has had for 130 years plus,” said Mayor Ruben Gonzalez. “We are finally going to be able to take care of our Coal Mine residents by providing them a secondary entrance and exit for emergencies.”
At present, the only entrance and exit for Coal Mine is a railroad crossing that is frequently blocked by passing trains.
The extension is part of a development agreement with Rowan Digital Infrastructure in connection with a massive $500 million “hyperscaler” data center dubbed “Project Cinco” that is expected to begin construction near Coal Mine in mid-August.
Under the development deal, the cost of the engineering work will be reimbursed to the city, Gonzalez said.
On a motion by District 3 Alderman Dick Emery, the council approved the task order with TRC Engineers by a vote of 4-0. District 2 Alderman Richard Hughes was absent from the meeting.
Much of the Monday night meeting was taken up with considering applications for zoning variances. City Attorney Austin Beck said that since Lytle has no board of adjustment to consider such variances the chores falls to the city council.
On a variance request at 19942 John Wayne Road in the Saddleridge Estates subdivision, the council split two-to-two on an application to allow placement of an above ground swimming pool three and a half feet from the rear property line. The setback requirement is 15 feet, already half of the requirement for most of Lytle, City Administrator Zachary Meadows explained.
Property owner Linda Atwood said that the present 15-foot setback “would put the pool in our living room.” She explained that a deeper pool was needed for physical therapy. The requested variance had been recommended by the city planning and zoning commission.
However…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

County commissioners accept tractor donated for flood emergency

By Anton Riecher
On a motion by Precinct 4 Commissioner Danny Lawler, the Medina County Commissioners Court voted unanimously Monday to accept the donation of a compact utility tractor initially designated for use in emergency operations following the recent Guadalupe River flooding.
The tractor, a 2025 Mahindra 1640 valued at $40,139, is one of five donated by the manufacturer for use in Kerr County through Bill’s Tractor and More in Hondo, County Judge Keith Lutz said. Following that effort, the tractor, complete with bucket, grapple and backhoe, will ultimately be donated to Medina County.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Jessica Castiglione seconded the motion by Lawler to accept the donation under the provisions of the Texas Local Government Code.

Ballot to include 17 ammendments to Constitution
In other business, the commissioners approved an order permitting county elections administrator Lupe C. Torres to proceed with arrangements for the November 4 general election in Medina County. The upcoming ballot includes 17 amendments to the Texas Constitution.
The county will operate three locations for early voting and eight locations for election day voting, Torres said.
Again on a motion by Lawler, the commissioners voted unanimously to approve a bid for remodeling of the former Hondo National Bank building as a future county office location. The renovation includes removal of the bank vault, Lutz said.

Finances
County Treasurer Debra Graff reported accounts payable totaling $1.353 million, not including $5,000 in postage and two wire transfers for interest payments totaling $337,134. Disbursement of funds since the last commissioners’ court meeting covering utilities, fuel and dental plans totaled $37,732.

Subdivisions
On a motion by Castiglione, the commissioners voted unanimously to approve a final plat establishing Chaam Subdivision on County Road 467. The motion was seconded by Precinct 2 Commissioner Larry Sittre.

Murder Cases
The court also voted to approve an interlocal agreement with the Hill Country Regional Public Defender Office to provide court-appointed counsel for individuals charged with capital murder. Hill Country serves Kerr, Medina, Gillespie, Bandera and Kendall counties, providing indigent defense and pre-trial services.

Renewal
Also approved by commissioners was a renewal of the contract with the Texas Health & Human Services Commission Women, Infants and Children (WIC) local agency. The program helps families across the state by providing nutrition education, breastfeeding support, healthy foods and referrals to health care and other community services.
The new contract extends from October 2025 to September 2026.

Executive Session
Commissioners also met in closed executive session to deliberate on economic development negotiations. No action was taken after nearly an hour behind closed doors.

Water line installation to serve Lytle data center expectedin mid-August

Work to install water lines to service construction of a massive $500 million “hyperscaler” data center near Lytle’s Coal Mine neighborhood is expected to start in mid-August, East Medina County Special Utility District field manager Ronnie Lemmons told the EMCSUD board July 22.
The contractor is “anticipating starting around mid-August and actually installing lines on the eastern end of the district, starting where the plant is going to be,” Lemmons said.
The 440-acre plant site owned by Rowan Digital Infrastructure is located in Lytle’s extra territorial jurisdiction, referring to an area surrounding a city’s corporate limits where it has powers related to land development and annexation, but not full municipal services.
Dubbed “Project Cinco,” the data center is expected to bring nearly 600 construction jobs to the community.
Lemmons said the initial water lines will cross CR 679 and CR 6712 to reach the Project Cinco property. Later phases of the construction will involve running a water line from FM 471 to CR 570 by way of FM 463.
Projected cost on the water lines alone is $7.5 million, Lemmons said.
By comparison to the $1.4 billion Microsoft data center project located along U.S. 90 W and FM 1957 near Castroville, Project Cinco is farther ahead with regard to water line development, Lemmons said. Both projects are…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Lytle council tables action on closing portion of public street to provide parking

By Anton Riecher
Action to close a portion of Davis Street to provide parking for a local sports bar was tabled by the Lytle City Council Monday pending further negotiations with the bar owners.
Meanwhile, the bar, 702 Tejas, was granted a temporary waiver to the city noise ordinance to accommodate live entertainment planned for Aug. 30 ending at midnight.
The bar recently lost access to much of the local parking when a nearby doughnut shop chose to fence its property, City Administrator Zachary Meadows. The small portion of Davis Street under consideration is unusual in that it is divided by a tree in the right-of-way.
Asked for his opinion by Mayor Pro Tem David Emery, Police Chief Richard Priest said that the tree limits much of the access the street provides for emergency response vehicles.
“I’m not normally in favor of cities getting rid of roads but if there ever was a case for it this would probably be it,” Priest said.
With Mayor Ruben Gonzalez and District 2 Alderman Richard Hughes absent, the quorum of three opted to postpone any final decision on the sale pending an appraisal paid for by the bar owners.
With regard to the ordinance waiver, Meadows said the action is similar to requests made by various local organizations for special occasions.
Leaders spend 50 minutes in Executive Session on water issue
Following more than 50 minutes in closed executive session, the council voted 3-0 to authorize Meadows to enter into negotiations with the Edwards Aquifer Authority to reach a settlement in some undisclosed dispute. He is also authorized to negotiate the possible purchase of additional water rights.
The council also reviewed several points with regard to a…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Castroville area’s MCESD1 proposal to extend ambulance service to Devine heard by local ESD4 board

Castroville Area MCESD1 Fire Chief Clint Cooke gives a presentation to board members regarding extending its ambulance operations to include Devine as Sarah Windsor, Assistant Fire Chief, and Pat Bourcier, Allegiance Director, listen. Photo by Anton Riecher

By Anton Riecher
At the request of Medina County Emergency Services District 4’s board of commissioners, Castroville area MCESD1 Fire Chief Clint Cooke made a presentation to the board July 2 on extending its ambulance operations to include Devine as an alternative to the present contract with Allegiance Mobile Health.
“Anytime you can eliminate invisible boundaries you help yourself,” Cooke said. “The neighbors can work together.”
The presentation preceded a budget workshop session for the upcoming 2025-2026 fiscal year.
ESD4 board president Steve Smith said Allegiance is also being invited to submit a new proposal for continued service beyond its present contract.
“We’re going to ask for an apples-to-apples (comparison) from Allegiance and see what they come back to us with,” he said.
Complete video coverage of the meeting is posted at the Devine News’s YouTube channel.
According to its Facebook page, ESD1 is a full service fire and EMS agency that covers slightly less than 700 square miles of Medina County, including Castroville and LaCoste. ESD1 also took charge of fire protection in Hondo last November through a contract with ESD6 that replaced the Hondo Volunteer Fire Department.
ESD1 recently launched its own transport EMS service with one of its four ambulances based in La Coste. Cooke said some questioned whether its new service could be of assistance in the Devine area when it was initiated.
“The question you always have to ask yourself is what level of service can be provided?” he said. “How sustainable is it? And is that level meeting our needs?”
It was decided to only offer assistance to Devine “when asked,” Cooke said.
Allegiance formerly held the ambulance service contract for ESD1. Cooke said he notified the company’s representatives when he took charge that the district would eventually take charge of its own ambulance service, bringing it completely in house. That transition was accomplished over a three-year period.
The question was not about quality of service, but long-term sustainability, Cooke said.
“I told them it was not personal,” he said. “This is a business decision we’ve got to make.”
Devine’s ESD4 operates two ambulances to cover roughly 165 square miles, Cook said. A two ambulance service is “very, very tough” to manage from a recruitment standpoint, he said. Also, although there is efficiency in size, administration and maintenance costs can be overwhelming.
“For 20 square miles you (ESD4) have ridiculously good coverage because two ambulances come out of the same building,” Cooke said. “Those other 140 square miles, to me, they’re constantly getting the short end of the stick because they never have an opportunity for that four-minute response time.”
By comparison, the four ambulance system operated by ESD1 includes an additional two fully functional ambulances in reserve at all times. With 34 pieces of apparatus on hand, the district maintains…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!