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Bandera County commissioners recognize the Silver Sage Hill Country Resource Center and the Lakehills United Methodist Church.
Photo by Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
February 15, 2024
Bandera County Commissioners Court briefing
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
“All too often, I feel like things get busy. We move through life and we forget to say thank you,” Bandera County Emergency Management Coordinator Judy Lefevers said in recognition of the Silver Sage Hill Country Resource Center and the Lakehills United Methodist Church.
Both organizations opened up as warming centers during a frigid cold snap between Jan. 14-17, when temperatures dropped to single digits and stayed below freezing.
“Many of us went home and turned up our heaters and put extra firewood on,” Lefevers said. “But some of our most vulnerable residents didn’t have that luxury, and that created a life threatening situation.”
Hot meals, cots and community were available to anyone in need throughout the week. At the Silver Sage, between 40 and 80 people came to eat, and about eight people stayed overnight, Executive Director Art Crawford said, adding 41 homes needed plumbing repairs after the freeze.
In other business, commissioners postponed action on a replat request in the Hilltop Subdivision.
“We have a lot of issues to talk about on this one,” Bandera County Engineer Dieter Werner said, adding it was unclear whether a water line running between the lots is private or a public utility.
Werner said he advised the property owners to “work this out between themselves…they apparently have not come to any kind of amicable agreement.”
County Judge Richard Evans suggested the Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District deliver a formal opinion on the matter before the court moves forward. Pct. 1 Commissioner Bruce Eliker motioned to postpone, which carried unanimously.
Commissioners also delayed decision on proposed rules for use of the county courthouse lawn. Carole Gage, of the Hill Country Horse Rescue in Pipe Creek, asked the court to consider a variation to the proposed policy restricting large animals. She said her rescue organization typically brings one horse to certain events, which is kept on a lead near a tree for about four hours.
“It’s kind of important for us…a lot of people don’t know we exist,” Gage said. “It gets our name out there…visitors in Bandera love to see a horse. We’ve never damaged anything at all.”
Bandera County Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Patricia Moore said most organizations that use the courthouse lawn carry liability insurance that would cover any potential damage.
“Kelly Scott’s chuckwagon has been a symbol for many years,” Moore said. “If you interpret this agreement closely, that would not be allowed.”
Moore said the Bandera Business Association, the Bandera County Chamber of Commerce and the CVB are working to address the court’s concerns.
“We’re not trying to keep the horse people out. We’re not trying to keep Kelly out. We’re trying to preserve the courthouse lawn,” Pct. 4 Commissioner Jody Rutherford said.
County Attorney Janna Lindig said the proposed document should be legally reviewed.
Both organizations opened up as warming centers during a frigid cold snap between Jan. 14-17, when temperatures dropped to single digits and stayed below freezing.
“Many of us went home and turned up our heaters and put extra firewood on,” Lefevers said. “But some of our most vulnerable residents didn’t have that luxury, and that created a life threatening situation.”
Hot meals, cots and community were available to anyone in need throughout the week. At the Silver Sage, between 40 and 80 people came to eat, and about eight people stayed overnight, Executive Director Art Crawford said, adding 41 homes needed plumbing repairs after the freeze.
In other business, commissioners postponed action on a replat request in the Hilltop Subdivision.
“We have a lot of issues to talk about on this one,” Bandera County Engineer Dieter Werner said, adding it was unclear whether a water line running between the lots is private or a public utility.
Werner said he advised the property owners to “work this out between themselves…they apparently have not come to any kind of amicable agreement.”
County Judge Richard Evans suggested the Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District deliver a formal opinion on the matter before the court moves forward. Pct. 1 Commissioner Bruce Eliker motioned to postpone, which carried unanimously.
Commissioners also delayed decision on proposed rules for use of the county courthouse lawn. Carole Gage, of the Hill Country Horse Rescue in Pipe Creek, asked the court to consider a variation to the proposed policy restricting large animals. She said her rescue organization typically brings one horse to certain events, which is kept on a lead near a tree for about four hours.
“It’s kind of important for us…a lot of people don’t know we exist,” Gage said. “It gets our name out there…visitors in Bandera love to see a horse. We’ve never damaged anything at all.”
Bandera County Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Patricia Moore said most organizations that use the courthouse lawn carry liability insurance that would cover any potential damage.
“Kelly Scott’s chuckwagon has been a symbol for many years,” Moore said. “If you interpret this agreement closely, that would not be allowed.”
Moore said the Bandera Business Association, the Bandera County Chamber of Commerce and the CVB are working to address the court’s concerns.
“We’re not trying to keep the horse people out. We’re not trying to keep Kelly out. We’re trying to preserve the courthouse lawn,” Pct. 4 Commissioner Jody Rutherford said.
County Attorney Janna Lindig said the proposed document should be legally reviewed.