By Anton Riecher
Effective Monday Medina County joined more than 100 Texas counties west of Austin imposing a ban on outdoor burning in the midst of hot and dry weather across the state.
On the recommendation of Medina County Emergency Management Coordinator Mark Chadwell, the county commissioners voted unanimously to impose a burn ban beginning at 11:59 p.m. Monday.
“It’s really dangerous right now out there for burning,” Chadwick said.
In Texas, county governments are empowered to restrict outdoor burning for public safety during drought conditions. Of the 254 counties in Texas, 108 are currently under burn bans, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
An important factor in determining fire risk is the Keetch-Byram drought index which balances precipitation against soil moisture. An index of 800 indicates absolutely dry conditions. As of Monday the local index stood at 572, Chadwick said.
“We’re jumping about eight points a night right now,” he said.
Worse, the National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory calling for one of the hottest and driest weeks this year to date, he said.
“Some of our average temperatures are going to be up to 108 degrees,” Chadwick said. “We’re going to have heat (stress) indices up to 112.”
Other business conducted the commissioners Monday centered mainly on subdivision development. By a unanimous vote, the commissioners approved a preliminary service and assessment plant submitted by the public improvement district (PID) for the Talley Ho subdivision on State Highway 211 north of Potranco.
The state requires the commissioners approve the plan as a first step to levying assessments to support public improvement, said county special counsel Clay Binford.
“This is the progression and evolution of a process for Talley Ho that started in 2022 when the owners of the property submitted a petition for creation of a public improvement district,” Binford said.
Plans for Talley Ho call for 753 housing units valued in the $400,000 range with 275 included in the initial phase of construction. Total investment in the project is $13 million with $7.5 million from bond financing and the rest contributed by the developer.
“Approval today would start the process that would allow us to sell the debt and fund this project,” Binford said.
A public hearing required before levy assessment is scheduled for Sept. 16.
Commissioners also unanimously approved creation of a PID for the proposed Viera subdivision in east Medina County north of Highway 90 South extending along 281 south of the new school complex.
“This is the culmination or kickoff of a process for an additional PID similar to what was done for Talley Ho,” Binford said.
A public hearing on creation of the new PID is also scheduled for Sept. 16.
On a motion by Precinct 1 Commissioners Jessica Castiglione, the commissioners unanimously approved the release of a construction bond for construction of roads and other infrastructure phase one of the Valley Oaks subdivision.
Commissioners also approved acceptance of a maintenance bond for street and drainage improvements in the Hunters Ranch subdivision, unit 10, located in precinct 2. The subdivision is located within the extra territorial jurisdiction of San Antonio, said Andrew Ortega of MTR Engineers.
“We have all the final field acceptance for the streets and drains,” Ortega said.
The court also issued final plat approval for the Megan’s Landing subdivision, unit 2, located on Potranco Road in precinct 2.
Commissioners approved accounts payable submitted by Count Treasurer Jennifer Konegni totaling $945,929. The court also approved disbursement of funds totaling $82,240 for fuel, utilities and other expenses due since the previous commissioners court session.
County Auditor Eduardo Lopez reported cash on hand as of the beginning of August totaling $22.9 million, as opposed to $22.4 for the same period in 2023. The amount includes all funds held in county depositories and any investments by the county.