Comal County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Comal County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Mental Health Facility Construction Acceleration
The county approved an $88,040 change order using federal ARPA funds to speed up drywall installation at the new mental health facility, aiming for an April completion date.
Outdoor Burn Ban
Due to drying conditions and low fuel moisture, the court implemented a burn ban across unincorporated areas of Comal County starting the following morning.
Mental Health Facility Project Change Order
The court approved a $52,261.64 change order for the Comal County Mental Health Extended Observation Unit and Crisis Residential Unit. The project has encountered plumbing and foundation adjustments due to expansive soils.
Emergency Services District Board Nomination Policy
The court will address leadership changes on local Emergency Services Districts #1 and #3 by accepting resignations and appointing new commissioners to unexpired terms.
Grant Applications for Specialty Courts and Juvenile Programs
Comal County accepted over $231,000 in state grants from the Governor's Office to support accountability, mental health, and felony drug court programs without drawing from the general fund.
Constable Pct. 3 community engagement and breast cancer awareness
Precinct 3 deputies will wear pink breast cancer awareness patches through October and launched a 'Green Ninjas' token program to build relationships with young residents.
Domestic violence services in Comal County
The Crisis Center of Comal County served more than 1,500 clients last year — over half children — and now has a new building offering safety and healing. Its 24/7 hotline is 830-620-7520.
Sheriff's Office Vehicle Fleet Expansion
The Sheriff's Office secured discounted 2026 Tahoes, allowing them to purchase extra patrol vehicles using forfeiture and personnel funds.
Road Improvement Program
HNTB Corporation was selected as the engineering consultant to develop the county's upcoming road improvement program.
Virtual Court Program
The 466th District Court highlighted savings of over $167,000 by utilizing TDCJ virtual court proceedings instead of transporting incarcerated defendants across the state.
Independence Day Road Closures and Public Safety
Sattler Road will be temporarily closed on July 4 for the VFW's annual celebration and parade.
Emergency Alert System Implementation
Comal County approved joining FEMA's IPAWS network, allowing officials to send emergency alerts directly to cell phone towers in threatened areas. This brings the county's emergency response capabilities up to par with neighboring jurisdictions.
Emergency Services Certification
Bulverde Spring Branch Fire & EMS just became the first agency in the nation to earn a maternal emergency care certification. This means local moms facing medical crises will get faster, safer, and much better care when they need it most.
Mental Health Facility Foundation Redesign
Comal County approved a $578,000 change order to install a special foundation system for the mental health facility due to expansive clay soils. The project is being paid for using federal ARPA funds.
Deputy Constable Appointment and Background Verification
Public accountability questions were raised regarding the background verification procedures for a recent Precinct 4 deputy constable appointment, which staff subsequently addressed by confirming statutory compliance.
Court Restructuring: Magistrates to Criminal Associate Judges
The county is dissolving its traditional magistrate positions and creating Criminal Associate Judges under Chapter 54A of the Texas Government Code to comply with new state laws regarding bond-setting authority on serious offenses.
District Attorney Office Staff Reorganizations and Intake Expansion
The DA's office is reclassifying upper management roles and creating new felony intake attorney and paralegal positions to address growing case backlogs and meet state deadlines.
Emergency Jail Inmate Medical Care Funding
The county faced an urgent medical emergency involving an inmate in the Comal County Sheriff's Department's custody, requiring specialized care at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Commissioners swiftly approved an emergency agreement and a $250,000 budget transfer from contingency funds to cover the care.
Public Health Clinic Security Upgrades
The county approved funding to install automatic door closures on six badge-access doors in the public health clinic to improve building security and protect clinical operations.
Pre-Trial Release Bond Supervision Program Impact
Adult probation officials reported that the pre-trial bond program successfully supervised 524 defendants in 2024, saving taxpayers millions in jail incarceration costs while maintaining community safety.
Seasonal Law Enforcement Agreements with WORD
Comal County partnered with the Water Oriented Recreation District (WORD) to provide supplemental law enforcement patrols on Canyon Lake, the Guadalupe River, and local roads during peak visitor seasons.
Rural Sheriff's Office Salary Assistance Grant
The county accepted a $500,000 state grant under Senate Bill 22 to support salaries and operational needs in the Comal County Sheriff's Office.
Public Safety Communication System Maintenance
The Sheriff's Office acquired 19 Motorola NEXT radios and console upgrades while locking in seven-year SBITA smart services and mapping software fees using surplus manufacturer pricing.
Appointment of New County Judge
Following a vacancy, the Commissioners Court appointed Kristen Hoyt as the new Comal County Judge to lead the county government.
Public Health Authority RFQ
The county contracted Dr. Emily Briggs for Health Authority services at $33,000 per year to ensure proper oversight of public health programs and standing orders.
Comal 4 Flood Retarding Structure Rehabilitation
The county approved a variance request to support federal NRCS rehabilitation plans for the Eikel Blank Dam, ensuring grant funding eligibility for vital flood control upgrades.
Public Health and Emergency Operations Center Construction
The court approved a minor change order for wayfinding signage and funds to relocate office copiers to the new Church Hill Annex using federal ARPA interest funds.
Interlocal Agreements for County and Municipal Facility Co-Location
The court approved interlocal agreements with the City of New Braunfels, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and TABC to house emergency management, game wardens, and state officers at the new Church Hill Annex.
Emergency Services Districts Annual Review
Emergency Services Districts 1 through 7 presented their annual reports, highlighting rising call volumes across western and countywide areas, new station builds, and fleet upgrades. Commissioners thanked the districts and volunteer boards for their public safety service.
Appointment of Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace
Mark Long was appointed to fill the unexpired term for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3 through the end of 2026, following Judge Rust's resignation.
TDEM Facility Use Agreement Renewal
Comal County renewed its agreement to provide free office space and utilities to the Texas Department of Emergency Management, expanding the arrangement to include the new Churchill Annex.
Sheriff Immigration Law Enforcement Grant Application
The county is applying for a $100,000 state grant under Senate Bill 8 to help cover costs associated with the Sheriff's Office 287(g) immigration enforcement program.
Animal Control Services
The county renewed its annual animal control facility agreement with the Humane Society of the New Braunfels Area, shifting to a shared-cost operations model with the city.
Jail Staffing and Overtime
The county renewed its inmate medical care contract, replacing EMTs with LVNs to ensure staff can perform necessary forensic blood draws.
County Surveillance and Federal Coordination
Following a new Texas law (Senate Bias/SB 8), the county approved joining the ICE 287(g) Warrant Service Officer program, which trains jail and corrections staff to serve warrants and process immigration notifications.
Law Enforcement Pay Scale Adjustments
To address staffing shortages and competition from other agencies, the county approved step increases for non-exempt law enforcement, jail corrections, and dispatch staff.
Mental Health Grant Administration
The county is shifting the administration of a mental health grant to a specialized regional center to better support jail inmates.
Extended Observation Unit Funding Support
Comal County is seeking $9.5 million in state funding through a legislative resolution to cover operational costs for its new mental health treatment facility during FY26/27.
New Sheriff's Office Substation in Canyon Lake
The county renewed its agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide extra police patrols around Canyon Lake parks, boosting public safety during peak recreational seasons.
Constable Precinct 4 Taser and Software Upgrade
Constable Precinct 4 upgraded aging tasers inherited from the Sheriff's Office to modern Taser 7 units with rechargeable batteries and smart diagnostics. The $48,096 purchase includes a five-year software bundle and training equipment.
Sheriff's Office Mobile App Development
The county is funding and launching a free mobile app for residents to access Sheriff's Office resources, report tips, and receive real-time emergency and traffic alerts.
Digital Evidence Management System Funding
The county reallocated contingency funds to cover upfront multi-year subscription costs for a digital evidence management system used by law enforcement.
Police Conduct Litigation
A local man is suing the New Braunfels Police Department over a messy traffic stop that he claims led to a wrongful arrest. This case is putting a spotlight on police conduct and raising questions about how much taxpayer money the city might lose in legal fees.
Mental Health Evaluations in County Jail Releases
The District Attorney's office is implementing mandatory psychiatric evaluations for certain inmates with ongoing mental health issues upon jail release, prompting funding adjustments in court budgets.
Judicial District Expansion
County leaders are asking state legislators to create new district courts to handle the massive surge in legal cases driven by Comal County's rapid population growth.
Support for Countywide Polling and Electronic Poll Books
The court passed a resolution supporting the continuation of countywide polling places and electronic poll books in response to potential state legislation attempting to eliminate them.
Law Enforcement Services for Comal ISD
The Sheriff's Office is adding a new Corporal position to support the expanding School Resource Officer program for local schools.
Jail-Based Competency Restoration Program
Comal County is partnering with Hill Country MHDD to offer local competency restoration training for jail inmates. This helps individuals understand court proceedings locally instead of waiting for bed space in Kerrville.