City Council Regular Meeting - September 1, 2026

The City Council of San Marcos held a regular meeting on September 1, 2026, with significant focus on procurement and budget-related matters. Key procurement discussions included the approval of an interlocal funding agreement with Hayes County for expedited drug evidence testing by the Texas Department of Public Safety, valued at approximately $130,877. The council also considered multiple utility rate adjustments, including water, wastewater, electric, stormwater, and solid waste services, with debates on rate increases, phased implementations, and impacts on residents and developers. The council approved a 5.8% stormwater rate increase and a phased approach to water and wastewater impact fees, setting a maximum allowable fee with a delayed effective date to accommodate builders in the pipeline. Additionally, the council approved a public transit system interlocal agreement with Capital Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS) for $2.49 million, with the city contributing $792,111. The meeting included discussions on food vendor permitting fees, aiming to reduce cost barriers for compliance. Several motions related to fee schedules, budget adoption, and contract approvals were passed, with some items postponed for further review. The council also addressed appointments to the San Marcos-Hays County Emergency Medical Services Board and held public hearings on the fiscal year 2027 budget and tax rate. Overall, the meeting involved multiple procurement decisions affecting city services, infrastructure funding, and vendor agreements, with an emphasis on balancing fiscal responsibility and community impact.