Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Comal County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
37 issues in public safety
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.
Grant Applications for Specialty Courts and Juvenile Programs
The county is reviewing multiple state grant awards totaling over $230,000 to support local specialty courts, including the Accountability Court, Mental Health Court, and Challenge Felony Drug Court programs.
Sheriff's Office Vehicle Fleet Expansion
The court approved funds to upfit five replacement patrol vehicles following accidents and upgrade their in-car camera DVR systems.
County Surveillance and Federal Coordination
Following a new Texas law (Senate Bias/SB 8), the county approved joining the ICE 287(g) Warrant Service Officer program, which trains jail and corrections staff to serve warrants and process immigration notifications.
Outdoor Burn Ban
Due to extreme summer heat and lack of rainfall pushing drought indices higher, the Fire Marshal recommended implementing a countywide burn ban.
Mental Health Facility Construction Acceleration
The county approved a massive $578,000 foundation redesign for the new mental health facility to handle expansive clay soils and protect underground plumbing. Officials also set a strict timeline to use up remaining federal ARPA funds before the end of the year.
Mental Health Grant Administration
The county is shifting the administration of a mental health grant to a specialized regional center to better support jail inmates.
Road Improvement Program
Comal County is moving forward with an engineering study to prepare a comprehensive road improvement plan. With population projections far outpacing original estimates, officials want to establish clear transportation priorities and explore funding alternatives.
Jail Staffing and Overtime
The county renewed its inmate medical care contract, replacing EMTs with LVNs to ensure staff can perform necessary forensic blood draws.
Virtual Court Program
District Court is successfully utilizing video hearings for inmates incarcerated elsewhere, saving over $167,000 and keeping local jail beds available.
Independence Day Road Closures and Public Safety
The county approved temporary road closures for the 4th of July holiday, including a section of Sattler Road for the VFW celebration and traffic management for lake fireworks.
Emergency Alert System Implementation
Scammers are impersonating Comal County deputies to trick you into handing over cash or private data. Remember: real law enforcement will never call you to demand payment, so just hang up if you get one of these calls.
New Sheriff's Office Substation in Canyon Lake
The county renewed its agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide extra police patrols around Canyon Lake parks, boosting public safety during peak recreational seasons.
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.
Mental Health Facility Project Change Order
The court approved a $52,261 change order for the Comal County Mental Health Extended Observation and Crisis Residential Unit. Officials noted ongoing challenges with expansive local soils, plumbing, and refrigeration code updates.
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
The county approved annual agreements with the Water Oriented Recreation District to fund supplemental law enforcement patrols on waterways and recreation areas during peak visitor seasons.
Rural Sheriff's Office Salary Assistance Grant
Comal County accepted a $500,000 state grant to support law enforcement salaries and department operations.
Public Safety Communication System Maintenance
The Sheriff's Office acquired 19 Motorola NEXT radios and console upgrades while locking in seven-year SBITA smart services and mapping software fees using surplus manufacturer pricing.
Appointment of New County Judge
Following a vacancy, the Commissioners Court appointed Kristen Hoyt as the new Comal County Judge to lead the county government.
Appointment of Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace
The court appointed Mark Long to serve as Justice of the Peace for Precinct 3 through the end of 2026, following the resignation of Judge Rust.
Emergency Services Districts Annual Review
Representatives from Comal County's seven Emergency Services Districts presented their annual reports, highlighting increasing call volumes, new stations, and equipment investments to keep pace with rapid regional growth.
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.
Public Health and Emergency Operations Center Construction
The court approved a minor change order for wayfinding signage and funds to relocate office copiers to the new Church Hill Annex using federal ARPA interest funds.
Mental Health Facility Foundation Redesign
Newly discovered floodplain data requires raising the foundation of the new mental health facility by three feet. The court approved a $42,360 architectural amendment to update civil plans using ARPA interest funds.
Public Health Authority RFQ
The county is seeking a dedicated Public Health Authority to replace state-level oversight and restore local health services that faced legal barriers.
Law Enforcement Pay Scale Adjustments
To address staffing shortages and competition from other agencies, the county approved step increases for non-exempt law enforcement, jail corrections, and dispatch staff.
Extended Observation Unit Funding Support
Comal County is seeking $9.5 million in state funding through a legislative resolution to cover operational costs for its new mental health treatment facility during FY26/27.
Constable Precinct 4 Taser and Software Upgrade
Constable Precinct 4 upgraded aging tasers inherited from the Sheriff's Office to modern Taser 7 units with rechargeable batteries and smart diagnostics. The $48,096 purchase includes a five-year software bundle and training equipment.
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.
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.
Judicial District Expansion
County leaders are asking state legislators to create new district courts to handle the massive surge in legal cases driven by Comal County's rapid population growth.
Support for Countywide Polling and Electronic Poll Books
The court passed a resolution supporting the continuation of countywide polling places and electronic poll books in response to potential state legislation attempting to eliminate them.
Law Enforcement Services for Comal ISD
The Sheriff's Office is adding a new Corporal position to support the expanding School Resource Officer program for local schools.
Jail-Based Competency Restoration Program
Comal County is partnering with Hill Country MHDD to offer local competency restoration training for jail inmates. This helps individuals understand court proceedings locally instead of waiting for bed space in Kerrville.