Battalion Chief David Powers delivers reports to local emergency service district board members.
By Anton Riecher The Medina County Emergency Services District No. 4 board of commissioners voted Sept. 16 to approve a fiscal year 2026-2027 budget of $927,821 supported by a 2026 ad valorem tax rate of $0.0548 per $100 valuation, the maximum rate allowed under state law without the risk of a repeal election. According to Medina County Appraisal District calculations, the new tax rate represents a 5.18 percent increase over the previous year. The average homestead taxable value is calculated at $201,873, an increase of 4.79 percent over the previous year. No comment against the increase was raised during a public hearing preceding the 4-0 vote of the board on both the budget and the tax rate. Board treasurer Debbie Randall was absent for the meeting. Board vice president Patrick Bourcier made the motion supporting the new budget and seconded the motion favoring the rate hike.
“Because we have so much going on I’m a little concerned not so much about what we know as what we don’t know and could pop up and bite us,” he said. “I know that we have the legal right to go to the voter approved rate. And if we get through next year and come out in great shape and decide we…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 $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!
This year’s Legacy Bowl bragging rights belong to the Natalia Mustangs after a Thrilling 60-43 victory over the Lytle Pirates. This is the first time the Mustangs beat the Pirates in the Legacy Bowl since the 2022-2023 season. Traditionally, they name an offensive and defensive MVP for both teams. On Lytle’s side #3 Weston Jackson was awarded the offensive MVP and #12 Seth Pierce earned the defensive MVP. Jackson manned the quarterback position and put up 192 yards (147 of those rushing) with 2 throwing TDs and 2 rushing TDs. Pierce had 4.5 tackles with 3 solo tackles. For the Mustangs the offensive MVP went to #1 Leo Cortinas, the quarterback had a historic night putting up 468 rushing yards and 7 rushing TDs. The defensive MVP was #23 RJ De La O. Presenting the MVP trophies are Brenda Fernandez and Eric Smith.
Medina County ESD2 bookkeeper Nancy Pepper and board assistant treasurer Jerry Stevens confer during the Sept. 15 board meeting after hearing an update on the investigation into funds missing from the former Devine Fire Department. Photo by Anton Riecher.
By Anton Riecher An update on possible prosecution stemming from the December 2024 arrest of the former office administrator of the Devine Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department was presented by Medina County Emergency Services District No. 2 board president Todd Summers at its Sept. 15 meeting. “I was surprised to find out that the lady hasn’t even been indicted,” Summers said. The board also voted to approve a zero increase 2026 ad valorem tax rate of 10 cents per $100 valuation, the maximum rate permitted under state law, and adopted a proposed 2026-27 budget producing $179,300 less revenue than the prior year. Regarding allegations against former DVF&R office administrator Heather Schultz, Summers and board treasurer Jerry Stevens met with Medina County Criminal District Attorney Mark Haby, county chief deputy Gilbert Rodriguez, chief investigator Tommy Grimes and others in July to discuss progress in the investigation. Haby explained that the “woman in question” had not yet been indicted because prosecution requires more than suspicion or the fact that money is missing, Summers said. Building a case requires enough admissible evidence to prove the charges filed in court. The DA urged detectives…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 $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!
In action taken Monday, the Medina County Commissioners Court approved the cost of engineering services by Union Pacific Railroad for improvements near the Project Cinco data center construction with the cost to be reimbursed by the project developer, Rowan Lytle LLC. Both approved unanimously, the two motions required were made by Precinct 3 Commissioner David Lynch and seconded by Precinct 4 Commissioner Danny Lawler.
The action by the county was necessary because Union Pacific refused to contract directly with anyone other than a government entity, County Judge Keith Lutz said. The work discussed centered on preliminary engineering services for improvements to railroad tracks and roadway in the area of the construction site near County Road 683 and State Highway 132. That engineering phase would determine the extent of any further construction necessary related to the railroad tracks and right-of-way…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 $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!
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Medina County Sheriff’s Office received a call for help after a 28-year-old male was reportedly stabbed multiple times with a butcher knife. The incident occurred last week on Tuesday, September 8 around 1:40 pm. Shortly after it was reported, the suspect was located underneath the overpass in the 1500 block IH35 S in Devine by MCSO, and that’s where MCSO and Devine PD were able to take her into custody. The suspect, Lana Khalantan, 29-years-old, is charged with Agg Assault Date/Family/ House W/Weapon SBI- $50,000 surety bond, and Resist Arrest Search or Transport – $5,000 Surety Bond. She is still in custody according to the Medina County Sherriff’s Office.
Special guests during the coin flip at the NHS Homecoming game were former Coach Dub Wells, a 1968 Natalia grad who spent 22 years working for NISD, and decorated Army veteran Command Sergeant Major Retired Jim Cabrera Sr., Class of ‘85.
Coach Wells’ wonderful career began in 1979 as the Athletic Director. He worked hard to build a great program and in 1982, the Mustangs won the Bi-District championship, and in 1983 they had a 12-1 season that took them all the way to Regionals. In 1984 Coach Wells became Elementary Principal Wells. He led the Elementary to become the only elementary in the county to earn Exemplary for TAAS exam in 1998. Dub Wells retired in 2002.
At this weeek’s meeting, Lytle City Council took action to approve a special meeting on Oct. 19 at the Lytle Community Center to address data center development in the community. On a motion by Emery, seconded by District 2 Alderman Richard Hughes, the council approved the meeting by a 4-0 vote. Meadows said the meeting was an opportunity to specifically address the “hot button” issue without bringing the monthly regular meeting agenda to a standstill.
Lytle currently has two data center developments pending. Work is underway by Rowan Digital Infrastructure on a 440-acre data center campus known as “Project Cinco” just north of Interstate 35 inside Lytle’s extra territorial jurisdiction. Also, Denver-based developer Tract has announced a proposed 344.5 acre combined data center and business park to be located in the Bexar County portion of the city. Rodriguez asked Meadows if the meeting would address a particular project or data centers in general. Meadows replied that it would concern “a particular project and the special request they have made relating to that project.”
By Anton Riecher By unanimous vote, Medina County commissioners adopted the same property tax rate as last year ($0.4434 per $100 valuation Monday), which will generate a 7.25% increase in overall property tax revenue. The estimated bill for a median homestead will be $1,135. Commissioners also unanimously approved a budget of $85.7 million for fiscal year 2026-27 and a precinct 2 special road tax rate of $0.0364, described as a 4.3 percent increase. In the wake of rising costs in health insurance, road materials and other necessities, delivering a balanced budget has been difficult, County Judge Keith Lutz said. “I and the team have been through this budget over and over,” he said. “I have made at least five passes through it personally. We did everything we could. Obviously, we have to make up a lot of ground to get it back to even here.” The property tax increase will raise total revenue by 7.25 percent ($2,060,781) compared to the previous year. Out of that increase, $1,727,263 represents tax revenue to be raised from new properties added to the tax roll this year. Nearly 42 percent of the budget will be funded from the new tax rate. The rest will come from other revenue sources and cash balances. Precinct 1 Commissioner Jessica Castiglioni put forward the motion to approve the tax rate, seconded by Precinct 3 Commissioner Larry Sittre. On the budget, Precinct 3 Commissioner David Lynch made the motion, seconded by Precinct 4 Commissioner Danny Lawler. During a public hearing preceding the vote, Lutz reviewed the budget in detail, describing it as conservative and tight, focusing on support of employees through a three percent cost of living adjustment, sustainability and maintaining reserves. “I’m a big believer that we’ve got to take care of the employees we have,” Lutz said. “When we’re all done if we have extra money then we’ll add to our employees but the first thing is to take care of who we have then add to our employees.”
One major issue for employees was health insurance premiums which rose sharply. Lutz said general fund insurance costs increased by about $910,962 overall or roughly 17 percent. Lutz said the county was successful in holding the increase to about 14 percent. The new budget also corrects chronic underfunding in the health insurance fund so future transfers from the general fund to sustain health insurance premiums should not be needed as often, he said. General fund cash reserves were projected at about $18.5 million, enough to cover about seven and a half months of operation. Lutz described this as a necessary reserve level, especially given future infrastructure and emergency needs. The burden of…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 $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!
