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.
Road Improvement Program
HNTB Corporation was selected as the engineering consultant to develop the county's upcoming road improvement program.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.