Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Comal County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues with high priority
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.
Youth Sports Park Improvements & Funding Swaps
Local tennis advocates urged the court to fund additional tennis courts at Jumbo Evans Park to meet surging community demand and eliminate waitlists.
Property Exchange for Sattler Road Annex
The county approved a land exchange on Sattler Road to acquire property for a future county annex facility, replacing an aging lease.
Canyon Lake Boat Ramp Access
The county is partnering with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expand parking areas at Boat Ramps 7 and 8 at Canyon Lake to improve public recreation access.
Johnson Way Road Dedication and Assessment
The county initiated the legal process under Texas Transportation Code Chapter 253 to accept a portion of Johnson Way into the county maintenance system, supported by $175,000 in developer contributions.
Comal Elementary #22 Plat and Infrastructure
The county approved final platting and road and drainage bonds for Comal Elementary #22 in Meyer Ranch, accommodating new school construction.
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.
Public Improvement District Assessments
New Braunfels is landing a major win with Lefko USA moving its U.S. headquarters to town. This is a big deal for our local economy and means more professional job opportunities right in our backyard.
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.
Wastewater Permit Concerns
Residents raised concerns about the proposed Canyon Juniper Ranch wastewater permit renewal, warning that effluent could impact local aquifers and private water wells.
Virtual Court Program
District Court is successfully utilizing video hearings for inmates incarcerated elsewhere, saving over $167,000 and keeping local jail beds available.
Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 Facility Renovation
Comal County is moving forward with architectural and engineering services for renovating the JP3 facility, hiring Triton Design and Construction LLC for $120,000.
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.
Railroad Crossing Safety Upgrades
A resident raised safety concerns regarding visibility and rolling stops at the Orion railroad crossing following a fatal accident.
Constable Appointment Transparency
Public comments and staff reports addressed transparency and background check compliance surrounding a recent Precinct 4 deputy constable appointment.
Data Center Regulation and Water Conservation
Amid rising local concern over massive water and power consumption by data centers, the commissioners adopted a resolution asking the state to study environmental impacts, mandate closed-loop cooling systems in water-constrained areas, and review sales tax exemptions.
City Attorney Termination
New Braunfels just fired its city attorney following a chaotic mayoral election. This sudden leadership change could stall ongoing legal projects and shift how the city handles future policy decisions.
Canyon Lake Water Quality Protection
The county is seeking up to $30 million in state financial assistance to acquire property rights for land conservation and potential flood control structures.
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.
Temporary Budget Administrator Position
To bridge a gap during the county auditor's retirement and prepare for upcoming budget cycles, the county created a temporary part-time Budget Administrator position.
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.
Septic Permit Fee Waiver Policy
The court debated the fairness and precedent of waiving septic permitting fees for individual property owners caught in historical property boundary errors.
County Financial Audit and Fiscal Health
The county received a clean financial audit report (ACFR) for 2025, highlighting healthy reserves of over nine months in the general fund and a compressed audit schedule that benefits taxpayers.
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.
Flying W Unit 1 Subdivision Development
Developers received final approval for a 102-lot subdivision off FM 1102, which includes road and drainage bonds and variance approvals.
Election Results
The primary dust has settled in Comal County, and we finally know which candidates are heading to the general election. These winners will be the ones calling the shots on local policy, so it's time to see who's on the ballot.
Flood Control Dam Performance and Maintenance
The county approved a variance for the Eikel Blank Dam spillway to save over $2 million on rehabilitation costs while keeping federal funding on track.
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.
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.
Public Health Surveillance
The county expanded public health services by accepting a state grant amendment and partnering with CRRC to bring monthly vaccine clinics to Canyon Lake.
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.
County Recycling Program Changes
County staff presented a comprehensive cost analysis of nine different recycling and mulching program options. Commissioners discussed the financial realities of single-stream recycling, high contamination rates, and potential alternatives like separating cardboard and aluminum.
Proposed Wrecker and Towing Service Regulations (Order #531)
The county is considering a major overhaul of its towing rotation system, replacing geographic sectors with a single countywide rotation list. While the Sheriff's Office says this will improve response times and clear crash scenes faster, local towing operators warned it could hurt established businesses and create safety hazards.
HD Supply Economic Incentive Agreement Extension
The county extended its economic development agreement with HD Supply through 2035, resolving past sales tax sourcing uncertainties and keeping the customer call center active in the community.
High-Water Warning System Power Upgrades
Comal County is adding a new flood sensor and warning siren along River Road to enhance public safety during flood events.
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.
Comal Appraisal District Board Nomination
The county nominated a new representative for the Comal Appraisal District Board of Directors following the retirement of John Tyler. The board manages property valuations and local tax burdens.
County Court at Law No. 3 Salary Realignment and Overpayment Recovery
Commissioners voted 3-2 to realign the 2025 salary of County Court at Law Judge No. 3, reducing total compensation from $177,623 to $171,000. Judge Wigington strongly protested the mid-year pay reduction and payroll garnishment, arguing it violated wage agreements and employment contracts, while commissioners defended correcting an administrative error.
Elected Officials and Constable Salaries
The court approved line-item transfers to fund state-mandated salary supplements for district judges and county court at law judges.
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.
Comal Trinity Groundwater Conservation District Appointments
The county appointed three new directors to oversee groundwater management in the Trinity Aquifer. These volunteer positions help guide local water policy and resource protection for thousands of county residents.
Lyndon Ranch Apartments PILOT Agreement
The county approved a Payment In Lieu of Taxes agreement for the Lyndon Ranch Apartments on Loop 337, securing $100,000 annually in revenue while supporting affordable housing in partnership with the New Braunfels Housing Authority.
County Facility Expansion and Planning Program
Comal County is facing rapid growth that requires massive investments in new facilities, including a county jail expansion, satellite offices, and a potential new courts building.
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.
Mental Health Facility Power Infrastructure
American Rescue Plan Act interest funds were used to pay electric utility infrastructure fees for the county's new mental health facility.
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.
Quarry and Concrete Batch Plant Regulation
Comal County is urging state lawmakers to pass stricter notification rules and wider property line setbacks for quarries and batch plants to protect nearby landowners from heavy industrial impacts.
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.