Tom Green County Commissioners Court approved plats for further development of Buffalo Heights West last Tuesday.
Russell Gully with SKG Engineering presented the final plats of Tracts 5 and 6 to the Court, and said that development is just about full, in terms of available land and water.
“We’re kind of getting close to the end of Buffalo Heights,” Gully said. “We’ve been working with Concho Rural Water on how much they can actually provide out there, so in the evaluation, we are getting real close to the number of taps based on their water system and availability of water.”
Gully said Tracts 2 and 4 of the development may be offered at some point in the future, and the current phases will add about 120 homes to the neighborhood.
Commissioners visited with Gully about the development’s growth over the last decade, where there are nearly 600 homes, noting that solar farms now abut some sides of the development.
Pct. 3 Commissioner Bacon recalled walking that entire neighborhood the first time he ran for office a dozen years ago, when there were only 120 homes out there, noting that the growth triggered the need for redistricting.
Bacon also acknowledged SKG and the developer for working with the county on diversion and retention work to tackle new runoff issues, likely resulting from the clearing of land underlying the solar farm.
There also was some discussion of fire department connections, and Bacon said the homeowners’ association had deeded a lot to the Grape Creek Volunteer Fire Department, which is expected to establish a small substation there.
Separate votes were held to approve each plat.
Christoval Replat
Gully also presented a replat in Block 26, Original Town of Christoval in Precinct 4, to improve a small section including an alleyway, with regards to infrastructure and accessibility.
He said the Church of the Vine in Christoval has acquired some lots at Mckee and 3rd streets, which they want to combine for future improvements, including on-site septic which is not possible now.
Pct. 4 Comm. Shawn Nanny took a moment to talk about just how much legwork and due diligence is required to put something like this together, and thanked SKG’s environmental department for checking everything over closely.
The Court approved the replat.
Other Business
Commissioners accepted the annual financial report and the independent auditor’s report for Fiscal Year 2024.
Chris Pruitt, a partner with the accounting firm of Pattillo, Brown & Hill, CPAs, told the Court that the county’s finances were free from errors, and briefly went over some positive revenues resulting from good investments, among other key points.
Pruitt’s company performs audits for dozens of Texas counties, and Bacon asked him about how the County’s overall financial health and transparency compares to other counties. Pruitt characterized Tom Green County’s bookkeeping and financial condition among the best in the state.
Resolution Adopted
The Court adopted a resolution in support of a proposed amendment to the Texas Government Code that would give Tom Green County Courts-at-Law jurisdiction in Family Law cases. The move, which requires legislative approval, is intended to help with a backlog of family cases in district courts, statewide.
More Overtime at the Jail
The Court moved another $250,000 in the budget to cover overtime costs at the jail.
