Two new Public Improvement Districts (PIDs) will help finance additional residential development in the Potranco Road area.
The Enclave at Potranco Gardens, a 26-acre community, and Potranco Oaks, on 158 acres, are the latest subdivisions to receive approval for PIDs from the Medina County Commission.
With authority to impose assessments above the countywide tax rate, PIDs raise funds for infrastructure projects ranging from sewers to sidewalks.
Rates at the two communities are pegged at $0.45 per $100 of assessed value. That’s on top of the county tax rate of $0.5473.
Precinct 2 Commissioner Larry Sittre, who represents the Potranco area in northeast Medina County, said PIDs help the county by covering public-works costs within their designated areas.
According to county documents, PID-funded items include” design, acquisition, construction and installation of public improvement projects necessary for the development of the property.”
The Enclave’s PID will be responsible for $2,370,000 of those expenses, as well as $1,219,728 in maintenance costs.
The Oaks’ PID will fund $12,392,553 in public improvements, plus $1,901,714 for maintenance.
Additionally, PID agreements enable the county “to impose restrictions and conditions more stringent and more beneficial to the county and its inhabitants.”
At its Sept. 24 meeting, the commission also approved annual service plans for two existing PIDs in Potranco Ranch and one at Potranco Acres.
Potranco Ranch assessment will remain unchanged at $0.18 per $100 valuation. Farther west, Potranco Acres, which features larger lots, has a rate of $0.50.
Sittre applauded the PID program for facilitating upgraded, upscale development that enriches the county’s tax base.
“It’s a lot better than a trailer park on septic tanks,” he said.
In other matters:
-Judge Chris Schuchart reported on the imminent hiring of a Chief Public Defender. The position will head a 20-lawyer team serving Medina, Kerr, Bandera, Kendall and Gillespie counties. Headquarters will be in Kerr County, with a staff of 20; Medina’s office will have 10 employees. Schuchart said the new chief could be in place as early as November.
-Precinct 1 Commissioner Tim Neuman announced that $286,000 of $420,000 in COVID relief grants have been awarded to 90 local small businesses. Final deadline for submitting applications is Oct. 1.
-A plan to plat eight lots at Twin Lakes Estates off CR 6843 between Lytle and Natalia received preliminary approval. Precinct 3 Commissioner David Lynch conditioned final approval on resolving any flood plain issues.
-Commissioners renewed a contract with Atascosa County for juvenile detention services, with an agreement to pay $140 per day for each space utilized. Related contracts at various rates went to Hays County (long- and short-term residential services); Victoria County (short-term detention); Guadalupe County (pre-adjudicated detention); Rite of Passage Inc: Canyon State Academy & Desert Lily Academy (residential); Rite of Passage: Lake Granbury Youth Services, Texas Monarch Academy for Girls & the Oaks — Brownwood (residential); Gulf Coast Trades Center (residential); Pegasus Schools Inc. (residential); and Center for Success and Independence at Rockdale Academic (long-term residential).
-A public hearing was authorized to designate “No Through Truck” zones on CR 271 (between FM 2676 and FM 471) and CR 483 (between FM 471 and CR 5711).
By Kenric Ward
Reporter