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THE BIG PICTURE
(City of Buda Weekly Newsletter)
Week of Aug. 3, 2020
In this Issue:
  • City Council Adopts Ordinance To Suspend Solicitor Permits During COVID-19 Pandemic
  • Main Street Improvement Project - Phase II Begins
  • Temporary Roll-Off Exclusive Franchise To Texas Disposal Systems
  • Social Distancing Activity Guide
  • Striking A Balance Caregiver Conference
  • Buda Census Self-Response Rate
  • City of Buda Community Survey
  • Garison Park Trails Open By Reservation Only
  • Buda City Facilities to Conduct Business Virtually Starting July 13
  • Governor Abbott Establishes Statewide Face Covering Requirement/Issues Proclamation To Limit Gatherings
  • 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 Water Smart Portal
  • Pet Registration Information
  • City of Buda Job Opportunities
  • Upcoming Meetings
City Council Adopts Ordinance To Suspend
Solicitor Permits During COVID-19 Pandemic
The Buda City Council has adopted an ordinance to suspend the issuance of solicitor permits and door-to-door marketing practices until further notice.
The ordinance suspends all in-person, door-to-door marketing practices during the term of the COVID-19 pandemic and declared state of public disaster in the City of Buda. This includes, but is not limited to, permits for peddlers and solicitors.

Violation of the ordinance will result in a Class C Misdemeanor offense and carry a fine of no more than $500 for each offense. Each violation is considered a separate offense.

It is unlawful for any peddler or solicitor to engage in business within the City without first obtaining a permit from the City Clerks office. There are NO active solicitor permits.

To report an unpermitted solicitor, please contact the Buda Police Department at 512-393-7896.

City of Buda’s Solicitor Ordinance:
Main Street Improvement Project Update
Phase II Begins
Phase I (southern half of Main Street) is complete!
  • The efforts of Cox Commercial Construction over the past several weeks resulted in the completion of Phase I ( the southern half of Main Street from Railroad to the divide on the east end.)
The major activities completed include:
  • Milling and partial excavation of the full length
  • New curb and gutters
  • Drainage improvements
  • New water and wastewater lines
  • New sidewalks and pedestrian lighting

Phase II (northern half of Main Street) began Thursday, Aug. 6 and will last approximately 110 days.
  • The traffic pattern will shift to two-way traffic on the south side this Wednesday, Aug. 5 and will include road surface painting and marking for traffic control
  • Traffic signal lights will change to align to the traffic lanes
  • Erosion control measures will be completed by this weekend
  • Milling of the northern half will begin on Monday, Aug. 10
  • Excavation for the new 24” effluent force main will begin on Tuesday, Aug. 11

Phase III of the project (full-width 2” surface overlay from Ash Street to the O’Reilly’s Auto Parts driveway) is expected to begin shortly after the Thanksgiving holiday.  
Temporary Roll-Off Exclusive Franchise
To Texas Disposal Systems
The City Council of the City of Buda recently passed an ordinance providing an exclusive franchise to Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) for temporary roll-offs. Effective September 4, 2020, all temporary construction roll-offs used within the City of Buda city limits must be provided by Texas Disposal Systems. Texas Disposal already has an exclusive franchise with the City of Buda to provide other trash and recycling services within the City of Buda. Any person or company in violation of the ordinance may be subject to a fine of up to $2,000.00 each day the violation exists.

To schedule service, please contact Texas Disposal Systems by visiting texasdisposal.com.
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!

Striking A Balance 19th Annual Caregiver Conference
The Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area and Age of Central Texas are holding their 19th Annual Striking a Balance Caregiver Conference. The free conference this year is online. Space is limited and registration is required. Register online at www.TinyURL.com/SABconf2020. The conference runs from August 17 - 20.

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.
Governor Greg Abbott today issued a Proclamation extending the early voting period for the November 3rd Election by nearly a week. Under this proclamation, early voting by personal appearance will begin on Tuesday, October 13, 2020, and continue through Friday, October 30, 2020. The proclamation also expands the period in which marked mail-in ballots may be delivered in person to the early voting clerk’s office, allowing such delivery prior to as well as on Election Day.

"As we respond to COVID-19, the State of Texas is focused on strategies that preserve Texans’ ability to vote in a way that also mitigates the spread of the virus," said Governor Abbott. "By extending the early voting period and expanding the period in which mail-in ballots can be hand-delivered, Texans will have greater flexibility to cast their ballots, while at the same time protecting themselves and others from COVID-19."

Buda Counts: Latest Census Self-Response Rates
The City's census self-response rate is now at 72.8%. But let's get that percentage higher Buda! If you haven't filled out the census yet, it's easy. The #2020Census can help our community for the next 10 years. Respond online today at 2020CENSUS.GOV. 
The 2020 Census is underway and it's your chance to shape the future for yourself, your family, and your community. No matter how you respond - online, by phone, or by mail - your information is kept confidential. Respond today at 2020census.gov
Garison Park Trails
Open By Reservation Only
You can now enjoy the trails at Garison Park, but FIRST you must make a RESERVATION.

Please complete the Reservation Request form in the link below to schedule a time to visit the park.


Once our staff has received and approved your submission, we will email you important information regarding your visit. A Reservation Request DOES NOT guarantee you will be able to visit the park on your requested date as we are only allowing a limited number of visitors per day in order to promote social distancing and maintain health standards. Please do not visit Garison Park until you have received official confirmation from our staff.

If you have questions please reach out to Parks and Recreation at 512-523-1081.
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 will return to conducting business virtually. Starting Monday, July 13 Buda City facilities, including the Buda Police Department, will begin 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.

Buda Public Library Electronic Resources: https://buda.biblionix.com/catalog/

Buda Public Library: www.budalibrary.org 

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:

Permitting and Inspections: https://www.mygovernmentonline.org/



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
Governor Greg Abbott issued an Executive Order in July requiring all Texans to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth in public spaces in counties with 20 or more positive COVID-19 cases, with few exceptions. The Governor also issued a proclamation giving mayors and county judges the ability to impose restrictions on some outdoor gatherings of over 10 people, and making it mandatory that, with certain exceptions, people cannot be in groups larger than ten and must maintain six feet of social distancing from others.

"Wearing a face covering in public is proven to be one of the most effective ways we have to slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Governor Abbott. “We have the ability to keep businesses open and move our economy forward so that Texans can continue to earn a paycheck, but it requires each of us to do our part to protect one another—and that means wearing a face covering in public spaces. Likewise, large gatherings are a clear contributor to the rise in COVID-19 cases. Restricting the size of groups gatherings will strengthen Texas’ ability to corral this virus and keep Texans safe. We all have a responsibility to slow the spread of COVID-19 and keep our communities safe. If Texans commit to wearing face coverings in public spaces and follow the best health and safety practices, we can both slow the spread of COVID-19 and keep Texas open for business. I urge all Texans to wear a face covering in public, not just for their own health, but for the health of their families, friends, and for all our fellow Texans.”

𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐭 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

Following a verbal or written warning for a first-time violator of this face covering requirement, a person’s second violation shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $250. Each subsequent violation shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $250 per violation.
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

You can also find the dashboard on the City of Buda's website at www.ci.buda.tx.us/coronavirusinformation.
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 E-Billing
The City of Buda is giving you the option to go paperless with e-billing. You can sign up online at https://www.municipalonlinepayments.com/budatx Check out the video above for instructions on how to sign up!
City of Buda WaterSmart Customer Portal Open
Minor water leaks account for more than 1 trillion gallons of wasted water each year. Sign up for leak alerts.

Pet Registration Information
Buda Animal Control
Due to COVID-19, Buda Animal Control is taking some extra precautions to make it easier and safer for you to register your pet. If you need to have a microchip implanted you MUST first schedule an appointment then complete the required forms and submit all required documentation at least two days before your scheduled appointment. Once you arrive please remain in your vehicle and call 512-523-1034 and let us know that you are out front. The microchip and registration is free through September 30 and registration will be for the lifetime of the pet. You will need to keep vaccinations up to date.


Per City Ordinance, all animals over the age of four (4) months must be implanted with a microchip and registered with the City of Buda.
City of Buda
Job Opportunities
Interested in joining our team? Check out our latest employment opportunities.

Upcoming Meetings
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