We want to make sure all of Buda can receive The Big Picture newsletter. Help us by sharing it! |
|
THE BIG PICTURE
(City of Buda Weekly Newsletter)
Week of Sept. 7, 2020
|
|
In this Issue:
- 9/11: Never Forget
- Main Street Improvement Project
- National Suicide Prevention Month - Message From Mental Health Officer Josh McNeal
- National Preparedness Month
- Buda Goes Back to School
- Buda Area Chamber of Commerce Podcast - Communications Director David Marino
-
Enforcement of Governor Abbott's Face Covering Order
- Enhanced WiFi in Downtown Buda
- Give Your Irrigation System A Break
- Water Smart Customer Portal
-
Stage 1 Water Restrictions - Effective Monday, Aug. 24
-
Budget/Tax Rate Hearings - Sept. 1 & Sept. 15
|
|
- Nov. 3 General Election Information
- Transportation Mobility Master Plan Overview
- Hope 4 Veterans Program
- Buda Census Self-Response Rate/Message from Rob Faubion with Age of Central Texas
- City of Buda Community Survey
- Social Distancing Activity Guide
- Buda City Facilities Still Conducting Business Virtually
- COVID-19 Hays County Resources
- COVID-19 Hotline
- COVID-19 Dashboard
- COVID-19 Updates on City of Buda Website
- Pay By Phone Automated System
- City of Buda E-Billing
- City of Buda Job Opportunities
- Upcoming Meetings
|
|
Today marks the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. 2,500 people were killed and more than 6,000 people were injured. Today we honor the lives lost and forever changed by the events of 9/11. |
|
Main Street Improvement Project |
|
It has been another busy week for the Main Street construction crew. The team completed the box culverts at Loop and Main last Thursday and in between the rain they continued their work on Main Street this week. |
|
National Suicide Prevention Month |
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Did you know that the Buda Police Department has two mental health officers? Officers Josh McNeal and Martin Rodriguez respond to calls related to mental health. Officer McNeal explains how they can help in the video below. You can reach them by calling Hays County Dispatch at 512-393-7896. However, if you need immediate assistance and it is an emergency, please dial 9-1-1. To reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, please call 1-800-273-8255.
|
|
National Preparedness Month |
DID YOU KNOW September is National Preparedness Month?
Disasters don’t plan ahead. You can. Make an emergency plan today & practice it: www.ready.gov/plan
|
|
We hope the new school year is treating you well. Thank you for all of the first day of school pictures you sent us! We put them together in the video below. |
|
Buda Area Chamber of Commerce
BACC Talk Podcast
|
|
Enforcement of Governor Abbott's
Face Covering Executive Order
|
|
We love seeing all of your budaful face coverings! Thank you for doing your part to protect yourself and others. Stay Budaful and Mask Up! As a reminder, the Governor’s Executive Order requiring face coverings in public spaces is still in effect. The video below explains how the City is enforcing the Governor’s order.
The City’s Code Enforcement Officer and Building Official are regularly monitoring commercial establishments that are open to the public in Buda. They will issue a notice to appear for those who continuously violate the executive order.
|
|
Enhanced WiFi in Downtown Buda |
|
With virtual instruction starting next week for Hays CISD, we wanted to remind you that the City's public WiFi in Downtown Buda has been enhanced. So if you're looking for a change of scenery you can always head downtown. We also now have free public WiFi in the City Hall (405 E. Loop St.) parking lot. |
|
Give Your Irrigation System A Break |
Beneficial rains have made their way to Buda over the past several days and more rain is expected this week. Now is a perfect time to give your irrigation system a break and also to save money on your water bill. These nice soaking rains have added much needed moisture back into the soil and will sustain our landscapes through next week making any additional water added through irrigation unnecessary. Please ensure that rain sensors are functioning properly and adjust them if needed. If your system does not have a rain sensor, it is highly recommended that one be installed to save money on your water bill, prevent over-watering of your lawn, and to help us conserve our water resources. |
|
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐈 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐮𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡?
You can register your account (for free) on the Water Smart Customer Portal. All you need is your account ID and your zip code. By signing up on the portal, you can set water usage alerts, leak alerts, keep up with your monthly usage and more!
Water Smart Customer Portal Instructional Video
Register Your Account on the Water Smart Customer Portal
|
|
Stage 1 Water Restrictions
Effective Monday, Aug. 24, 2020
|
Effective Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, Stage 1 Water Restrictions will go into effect for City of Buda water customers in accordance with the City’s adopted Water Resource Management and Drought Response Ordinance. This is due to the lack of consistent precipitation, and higher than normal demands on our water production system.
Under Stage 1, irrigation with hose-end (sprinkler attached to a hose) and automatic sprinkler systems is restricted to twice per week. Irrigation with handheld bucket, handheld hose, soaker hose, or drip irrigation system is allowed any day and at any time. Violation of the ordinance could result in a fine of up to $2,000 per offense and a surcharge on the customer’s utility bill.
𝐈𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞-𝐞𝐧𝐝 (𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞) 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬
Twice per week on designated day; prohibited between the hours of 10:00am and 7:00 pm
- Odd-numbered residential: Wednesday and Saturday
- Even-numbered residential: Thursday and Sunday
- Commercial, mixed use and multi-family: Tuesday and Friday
- It is recommended that outdoor watering be limited to one of the permitted watering days each week to promote conservation
𝐈𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭, 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞, 𝐬𝐨𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞, 𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐩 𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦
- Allowed any day and at any time
For more information on Stage 1 restrictions and water conservation tips please our website.👇
|
|
Buda City Council Sets Public Hearings
For Proposed Fiscal Year 2021 Budget/Tax Rate
|
The City of Buda’s proposed Fiscal Year 2021 budget was filed with the City of Buda’s City Clerk on August 5 and submitted to the Buda City Council. At the August 11 Special City Council meeting, the City Council set public hearings for the proposed Fiscal Year 2021 Budget and Tax Rate. 👇
𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐭/𝐓𝐚𝐱 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭. 𝟏, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎 - 𝟓:𝟑𝟎 𝐩.𝐦. - 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠
𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭. 𝟏𝟓, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎 - 𝟓:𝟑𝟎 𝐩.𝐦. - 𝐀𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐝𝐚 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥 (𝟒𝟎𝟓 𝐄. 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐩 𝐒𝐭., 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝟏𝟎𝟎)
The Fiscal Year 2021 proposed budget is a balanced budget that levies a property tax rate of $0.3423 per $100 of valuation. It is a decrease of $0.0073 cents per $100 of valuation from the current tax rate, which is $0.3496.
Proposed Budget Breakdown:
|
|
Nov. 3, 2020 General Election Information |
🗳𝐎𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐭:
𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐫
Lee Urbanovsky (Uncontested)
𝐀𝐭-𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟏 (𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧)
LaVonia Horne-Williams
Matt Smith
𝐀𝐭-𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟐
Bobby Lane
Monica Davidson
𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐁
Evan Ture (Uncontested)
𝐕𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐕𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
Buda City Hall
405 E. Loop St., Building 100
𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐕𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬: 𝐎𝐜𝐭. 𝟏𝟑, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎 — 𝐎𝐜𝐭. 𝟑𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎
𝑾𝒆𝒆𝒌 1
Tuesday, Oct. 13 — Friday, Oct. 16 10 AM — 7 PM
Saturday, Oct. 17 7 AM — 7 PM
Sunday, Oct. 18 1 PM — 6 PM
𝑾𝒆𝒆𝒌 2
Monday, Oct. 19 — Friday, Oct. 23 10 AM — 7 PM
Saturday, Oct. 24 7 AM — 7 PM
Sunday, Oct. 25 1 PM — 6 PM
𝑾𝒆𝒆𝒌 3
Monday, Oct. 26 — Friday, Oct. 30 7 AM — 7 PM
𝐕𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐲
Buda City Hall
405 E. Loop St., Building 100
Former Buda Elementary Upper Campus
300 San Marcos St.
Hays Hills Baptist Church
1401 FM 1626
McCormick Middle School
5700 Dacy Lane
Southern Hills Church of Christ
3740 FM 967
𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐲 - 𝐍𝐨𝐯. 𝟑, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎
Polls Open 7 AM - 7 PM
A complete list of voting centers and additional information regarding the November 3 General Election is available on Hays County’s website: https://bit.ly/3gpvXNn
𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐭 (𝟓𝟏𝟐) 𝟑𝟗𝟑-𝟕𝟑𝟏𝟎.
***𝑶𝒏 𝑬𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑫𝒂𝒚 𝑯𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒚 𝑪𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒛𝒆𝒏𝒔 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒗𝒐𝒕𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝑯𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒚. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒐 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒗𝒐𝒕𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒕***
|
|
Transportation Mobility Master Plan Overview |
|
The video below details the draft Transportation Mobility Master Plan under consideration by the City Council and a video explaining the short-term priority mobility projects included in the plan. You can also visit the City's "Buda Moves" website page at www.ci.buda.tx.us/644/BudaMoves.
|
|
Hope4 Hays County Veterans Program |
|
(Information Taken From Hays County Press Release)
The Hays County Veterans Service Office has created the “Hope4 Hays County Veterans” program for U.S. military veterans and surviving spouses.
Hays County Veteran Service Officer Jude Prather said the program is designed to help with past due rent, mortgage, utilities or car payments, thanks to a $100,000 grant from the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans Assistance.
“It’s important we help our former military brothers and sisters,” Prather said. “This program will be a bridge to help our veterans and their families. When we served, we watched each other’s backs. During these difficult times, the Hope4 program will continue that legacy.”
Retired Air Force 1st Sergeant Wesley Matthews, M.S.W from the Hays County Veteran Service Office will manage this assistance program while also connecting veterans to other services available for them and their families.
“Our goal is to offer hope to Hays County Veterans while supplying them with solutions, a workable budget, and plan moving forward,” Matthews said.
About Hope4 Hays County Veterans: This program is supported by a grant from the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans’ Assistance. The Fund for Veterans’ Assistance provides grants to organizations serving veterans and their families. For more information, visit www.TVC.Texas.gov.
|
|
Buda Counts: Latest Census Self-Response Rates |
Buda's census self-response rate is up to 75.8%! If you haven't filled out the census yet, it's easy. The #2020Census will shape funding and representation in our community for the next 10 years.Respond online today at 2020CENSUS.GOV.
|
|
Rob Faubion, with Age of Central Texas and the City's Task Force on Aging, talks about the importance of fillilng out the census in the video below! |
|
You now respond to the Census from your smart phone! The QR Code below will take you straight to the census website. To use the QR Code, simply click on your iPhone or android's camera icon and scan the code with it. |
|
REMINDER: City of Buda Community Survey |
REMINDER: Approximately 2,000 randomly selected homes in Buda received a Buda Community Survey recently. It came in an envelope from Texas State University. The City of Buda has partnered with Texas State University to complete the survey to gauge satisfaction on City services and to seek input on future initiatives of the City. Residents may complete the survey by handwriting responses and mailing it back to Texas State or by using the web link and access code. Please take the survey. We value your input! A web version of the survey will be made available to all residents in late August. |
|
Social Distancing Activity Guide |
|
Don't get stuck at home for another weekend! Get outdoors with us while keeping the fam safe and happy. The Tourism Department has put together a Social Distancing Interactive Activity Guide on all the activities you can enjoy. Check it out!
|
|
Buda City Facilities To Conduct Business Virtually
Starting Monday, July 13
|
Due to the continued rise of active COVID-19 cases in Hays County, the City of Buda is conducting business virtually. Buda City facilities, including the Buda Police Department, are conducting business virtually until further notice. This means there will be no walk-ins, with all business being done via telephone and computer. The City of Buda will continue to monitor this evolving situation and make further adjustments if needed.
You can contact City Departments directly at the numbers below:
Public Works (512-312-2876)
Buda Police Department -Non-Emergency (512-393-7896)
Parks and Recreation (512-523-1081)
Utility Billing (512-295-8845)
Municipal Court (512-295-2562)
Planning, Permitting, and Engineering (512-312-5745)
Visitor’s Center (512-295-7170)
For more information on Buda Library Services:
Starting Monday, July 13 the Buda Public Library will be available by phone at 512-295-5899 Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Buda Public Library Curbside Service will be Mondays from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. People who can’t pick up during those times can email librarian@budalibrary.org to arrange another pick-up time.
Check-ins will continue to be delayed, but grace periods will account for this.
Utility billing payments may be paid online at https://www.municipalonlinepayments.com/budatx or through the automated phone system at 1-866-279-0787. Additional ways to make utility payments include online through your bank, by mail to 405 E. Loop St., Building 100, Buda, Texas, or by utilizing the utility payment drop boxes at the front entrance of the building and near the library book drop. Customers can contact utility billing staff directly by email at utilitybilling@ci.buda.tx.us or over the phone at 512-295-8845.
Additional online resources:
You can view City Council meetings online here:
Municipal Court
Although operations are closed to the public, individuals may still contact the Court by phone and email to get information and handle their cases; many options are available that do not require a personal appearance.
All in person court dockets will be rescheduled after August 10; individuals will be notified by mail of their new court date.
All due dates will be extended until August 10, including:
- Initial appearance dates (as indicated on citation)
- Payment dates (payment plans, extensions, etc…)
- Deferral dates (driving safety course, other deferrals)
- Community Service
All individuals are encouraged to call 512-295-2562 or email the court at budamunicipalcourt@ci.buda.tx.us in lieu of making personal appearances to handle court related business.
Buda Municipal Court also has online payment options at
|
|
Hays County has provided a list of resources for residents who have lost their jobs or need food, mental health support, or other assistance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
|
|
Hays County has a COVID-19 hotline. The number is 512-393-5525 and it is operational Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM.
|
|
(The information coming from Hays County will continue to change. Please follow Hays County at www.haysinformed.com)
An online dashboard created by City of San Marcos provides the public with a current count and other statistics related to COVID-19 cases in Hays County in near real-time.
The data on the dashboard shows a snapshot of COVID-19 related information for the County, as well as the number of active and recovered cases per City.
For example, the public can see the current number of confirmed cases as of that day. The data includes the cases considered active or in recovery, along with the number of tests administered. The data is also available in map format.
County residents may visit
|
|
As a reminder, you can visit the City's website at www.ci.buda.tx.us/coronavirusinformation for the latest on COVID-19. This page includes the Governor's Order, Hays County Order, and Mayor George Haehn order. We have also embedded the COVID-19 Dashboard from Hays County with the latest number of cases.
|
|
Pay By Phone Automated System |
|
The City of Buda has launched a new way for customers to pay bills by phone. You will be able to call 1-866-279-0787 and pay through an automated system over the phone.
- Save postage by paying your bill by phone.
- Access your updated account instantly.
- Hear real-time balances, payment amounts, and due dates
- Enter your information securely through an automated system
|
|
|
|
City of Buda
Job Opportunities
|
Interested in joining our team? Check out our latest employment opportunities.
|
|
Thank you for subscribing to "The Big Picture" weekly newsletter! It's a "Budaful" way to keep up with the latest City news.
Sincerely,
City of Buda
|
|
|
|
405. E Loop St., Building 100
Buda, TX 78610
512-312-0084
Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
