Comal County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Comal County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Engineer-in-Training position for Road Department
The county created an entry-level civil engineer position to bolster subdivision review, drainage, and inspection capacity, aiming to hire December graduates and fund it from road and bridge reserves.
Meyer Ranch Unit 13 Road Acceptance
The county accepted roads and drainage in the Preserve at Elm Creek Unit 2 into its maintenance system, with a two-year maintenance bond from New Braunfels covering construction damage while homes are built.
Election Turnout
Comal County just smashed early voting records on day one with nearly 6,000 residents turning out. If you're heading to the polls soon, brace for long lines and check wait times before leaving the house.
Early Voting
Early voting for the upcoming midterm elections starts this Monday in Comal County, giving everyone a chance to beat the lines. Make sure to check out local polling places and look over your sample ballot before you head out.
Subdivision Plat Corrections and Cancellations
The court reviewed and approved multiple subdivision plat amendments, replats, and construction bonds for roads and drainage across Precincts 1 and 4.
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.
Public Park Access
Recent storm damage has shut down a few Canyon Lake boat ramps, so make sure to check conditions before heading out this weekend. It's a frustrating hiccup if you were planning on hitting the water for some recreation.
Truancy Prevention and SAFE Program Grant
The county accepted a $30,000 state grant to continue counseling and support services for families and students.
Library Expansion
The Tye Preston Memorial Library is breaking ground on a brand-new expansion next Tuesday, which means we're getting way more space and better programs right in our neighborhood. It's a huge win for anyone who loves hanging out at our local community hub.
Park Reopening
Nichol's Landing is officially back open after getting cleaned up from the recent storm damage. You can finally make your weekend water plans, just watch out for any leftover debris floating around.
County Fuel Purchasing and Cost Management
The county purchasing office reviewed fuel expenditures and savings achieved by encouraging fleet vehicles to fill up at county yards rather than retail pumps, while considering a fixed-rate TASB fuel agreement.
Water Levels and Park Access
Canyon Lake is filling up fast, so expect some boat ramps and park areas to close soon because of high water. Take a minute to check the latest park status online before you head out this week.
Park Closures Due to Flooding
Planning a lake day? Several Canyon Lake parks are suddenly shutting down because floodwaters are rising fast, so double-check conditions before you pack up the car.
Independence Day Road Closures and Public Safety
Sattler Road will be temporarily closed on July 4 for the VFW's annual celebration and parade.
Cypress Valley Drive Road Naming
The county approved naming a private road Cypress Valley Drive to ensure emergency services can properly locate addresses in the area.
Road & Bridge Department Season Funding and Overtime
The county approved budget transfers to fund paving season overtime, equipment barn expansions, and weed control materials for the Road & Bridge Department.
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.
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.
Mayfair Parcel E-9N Road Acceptance
The county accepted newly constructed roads and drainage in the Mayfair subdivision into its maintenance system after passing municipal and county inspections.
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.
Great Springs Trail Design Support
Comal County expressed support for the Great Springs Project's grant application to fund trail design along FM 1102. Commissioners discussed long-term maintenance, right-of-way constraints, and pedestrian safety along high-speed corridors.
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.
Restructuring Veteran Services Supervision
The county amended the Veteran Services Director job description to report directly to the County Administrator rather than the Commissioners Court.
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.
County IT and Equipment Budget Adjustments
The county adjusted its 2026 budget lines to account for payroll changes, position adjustments, and an administrative budgeting oversight for Tyler software subscriptions.
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.
Right-of-Way Fence Encroachments and Permit Appeals
A homeowner appealed the county engineer's denial of a permit for a fence built in the public right-of-way. Because a motion to grant a variance failed, the county's strict enforcement against right-of-way fences remains in place.
County Website Migration to .gov Domain
The county IT department received approval to apply for a secure .gov domain name (comalcounty.gov) to improve cybersecurity and branding.
Gatehouse Unit 2 Infrastructure Surety Extension
Developers working on Gatehouse Unit 2 received a one-year extension to finish roads and stormwater drainage. This ensures financial backing remains in place while construction wraps up.
Rural Broadband Expansion Support
Resound Networks requested a letter of support from the county to apply for federal and state BEAD program funding to expand high-speed internet in unserved rural areas of the county.
Watson Lane East Connector Study
The county is funding a $271,000 study for Watson Lane East to help manage traffic and improve connectivity between Highway 1101 and I-35.
Water Infrastructure Investment
Texas is eyeing a massive $6 billion plan to overhaul its water supply, which is going to shake up how Comal County manages its H2O and pays for utilities. Basically, get ready for some big changes in how our water flows and how much it costs.
Mulch and Brush Facility Operational Policy Updates
The court adopted new rules for the rural recycling facility that prohibit green waste bags and tie brush drop-off permissions directly to on-site mulch inventory levels to prevent fire hazards and improve mulch quality.
Election Precinct Boundary Realignment
The county is splitting and absorbing several smaller election precincts into larger ones to streamline voting administration ahead of the 2026 elections.
Return of Unobligated Federal ARPA SLFRF Funds
The county must return $272,387.08 in unspent federal COVID-19 relief funds to the U.S. Treasury because they were not obligated by the December 31, 2024 deadline.
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.
Road Department Fleet Safety and CDL Training Software
The county is investing in dashboard cameras and GPS tracking software to coach road crew drivers, reduce accidents, and improve CDL training.
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.
Johnson Ranch South Road and Drainage Sureties
The county accepted letters of credit to ensure road and drainage improvements are properly completed in Johnson Ranch South Units 7 and 8.
Motto Installation
The New Braunfels City Council voted to put 'In God We Trust' in their official chambers, sparking plenty of debate about church and state. It's a symbolic move that has residents talking about the role of religion in local government.