LATEST NEWS

The Hays County Tax Assessor-Collector's Office is now being audited, and law enforcement officers said this could just be the beginning. TxDMV officials said they are "aware of concerns" with the now former employee but declined an interview, citing the ongoing investigation.

A crash put one young woman in the hospital for weeks on a stretch of road many say is dangerous.

A union that represents 900 registered nurses at Ascension Seton Medical Center said Thursday that 98% of its members authorized a one-day strike at the health system. More details here: https://kxan.tv/3IUTy9L. Ascension Seton nurses vote to authorize strike. A union that represents 900 registered nurses at Ascension Seton Medical Center...

The Texas Department of Transportation at time of press was set to hold a virtual and in-person public meeting to “present and discuss proposed improvements” to FM 2720, where it runs from State Highway 2 to State Highway 142, crossing both Hays and Caldwell counties. TXDOT officials stated that the meeting was scheduled to provide the public an opportunity to voice opinions and concerns in connection to the proposed FM 2720 improvements. What is on the table initially is a proposed widening of FM2720 to a fourlane undivided roadway. This roadway would have a continuous center-turn lane extending from SH 21 to...

Low rain chances tonight, better rain chances this weekend. Low rain chances tonight, better rain chances this weekend. Austin ISD holds a career fair on June 3. Arnoldo Gutierrez, Assistant Superintendent of Human Capital at Austin ISD, joined KXAN News Today to discuss staffing at AISD. Exclusive: Hays County Tax...

A ranch for sale in the Texas Hill Country is so picturesque that guests will feel like they've fallen out of a movie. With gorgeous rolling hills and spacious fields, the Hays County ranch is all tied together with a private Texas home with a modern design. The 23-acre Bella...

HAYS COUNTY — “In light of some information that has been presented to me, I think it is in the best interest of the Hays County governmental body to remove the processes of payroll from the Hays County Treasurer and place them in the Budget Office,” said Hays County Treasurer Daphne Tenorio after the commissioners court was made aware of hundreds of payroll errors. In a May 22 letter to the court, County Auditor Marisol Villareal-Alonzo identified 237 payroll processing errors, 223 incorrect calculations of manual timesheets, untimely payroll disbursements and deficiencies in the payroll controls and review process. “After an increase of payroll calculation and payroll system entry errors and an increase in employee complaints to the Hays County Auditor’s Office, I am bringing the following payroll processing errors to your attention and am requesting that a thorough review of the payroll and payroll disbursement process be performed,” Villareal-Alonzo detailed in her letter. “To validate payroll expenditures, the Auditor’s Office examines the payroll records processed by the Hays County Treasurer’s Office on a semi-monthly and monthly basis. The objectives of the review were to verify the mathematical accuracy of the payroll reports and timesheets, determine whether payroll disbursements were processed in a timely manner with proper approvals, to identify any payroll errors that have not been corrected and to review the payroll process and controls.” Of the 460 total errors, there were 237 payroll errors, which consisted of payroll changes being miscalculated and payroll system entry errors (i.e. incorrect seniority, incorrect medical plan selected, W-4 entered incorrectly); 223 untimely payroll error corrections that are still pending; untimely payroll disbursements; and deficiencies in the payroll controls and review process. Further, there has been inconsistent access to payroll records by the Auditor’s Office. “From January 2023 through May 15, 2023, the scope of the review has been limited due to inconsistent access to payroll records,” the Auditor’s Office said. “During this period, the Hays County Auditor’s Office has identified the following deficiencies in the payroll process and identified 273 payroll corrections that are still pending after the May 15, 2023, payroll.” In light of these errors, Tenorio relinquished control of payroll processes from her office and into the hands of the Budget Office, including three positions — two payroll managers and the treasury manager, who handles all of the hand calculations for timesheets. “Statutorily, I have to keep track of all money that comes, reconciliations, I review payroll before it’s disbursed, disburse electronic transfers, anything that has to do with money has to come through me. All the reporting will stay statutorily with me,” Tenorio told the court on May 23. “Anything that has to do with any disbursements of any funds stays with me. Additionally, in order to pay out payroll, I will be required to review any documents to make sure I am comfortable with the payouts.” Hays County Commissioners Court called a special meeting to address the issue on Tuesday, May 30. Several public comments were critical of the court for calling the meeting. Citizens pointed out a lack of notice to such an important agenda item, given that the meeting was scheduled on a Friday before a holiday weekend. John Hatch, chairman of the Hays County Democratic Party, said, “It seems there is a pattern of the commissioners court to place items on an agenda prior to a weekend.” Anna Juarez, of San Marcos, said, “I, too, just want to add the sense of shock I felt when I heard the news about there being an emergency related to the Treasurer’s Office and the fact that none of the other commissioners were notified. I’m concerned about the lack of transparency, the lack of communication: what came up on Friday afternoon before Memorial Day? What was it that was such an emergency? I certainly hope that is clarified today. Because there is a pattern of submitting last minute agenda items, I’d urge you to stop that. A democracy depends on transparency. We cannot be a democratic country without transparency. Please, be more transparent as you proceed. I’d also like to second the request for an audit prior to Ms. Tenorio’s candidacy and election.” A special meeting of the court can be called by the judge or three commissioners. This item was brought by three commissioners — Debbie Ingalsbe, Lon Shell and Walt Smith. It requires 72 hours of notice. There was 24 hours more than was legally required to give notice, said commissioner Shell. “There is such a thing as an emergency meeting that can be done in a few hours. This is a special meeting because there was not a meeting scheduled,” he said. “Because of quorum issues, I’m not able to communicate with other court members prior to [the meeting]. I’d rather not be here, to be honest with you. If it wasn’t important, I would not have asked for this item.” “The reason for that item being placed on an agenda on a Friday, which is perfectly legal, was because I received an email from our district attorney regarding members of the treasurer’s office. At that time, my job is to address the issue. We talked about that Friday, but did not talk about the specifics. There wasn’t anything personal about that. It is a task. I’ve lost confidence for the Treasurer’s Office to handle payroll,” he continued. Budget Officer Vickie Dorsett did allow previous staff that worked in payroll to assist with this payroll period. “There were more than 200 payroll changes. It was not the most peaceful transfer of duties between offices, but that was due to the nature of payroll processes,” Dorsett said. “It was a fast and swift move that day. Moving forward, we outlined duties and processes the treasurer would need to release those duties and personnel files. I would like for the court to clarify what the actual disbursement would be for the Budget Office.” There was a question of who the custodian of personnel files is. Historically, the Treasurer’s Office was the keeper of those files. “I have no problem with the removal of the employee files from the Treasurer’s Office,” Tenorio told the court. “Walking into my office on Tuesday, seeing my staff upset and having the locks changed did surprise us. We’ve done everything possible to make sure this is a smooth transition. There has been a good working relationship. There’s no desire to keep payroll in treasury. We look forward to moving on. There is no ill will or bad judgements or anxieties. What happened Tuesday was upsetting to our staff and we’ve moved forward and we look forward to continuing to do so … My hope is to remove the liability of payroll from my office.” “We processed payroll knowing full well there were errors. There are always errors. The reporting of errors did not start until my administration started,” she said. “I don’t really want to go hashing into the last meeting. I’m here to move forward.” County Judge Ruben Becerra said, “We have full support and confidence in [the Budget Office]. Our treasurer was pushing for a forensic audit. I don’t want to use the word ‘witch hunt.’ This is unprofessional … Besides a dog and pony show, I’m disappointed that the commissioners called this meeting. It was not an emergency and there was not a need for a special meeting … No files have been destroyed, there was no loss of money and our treasurer is not under investigation.” “I will not hold hostage the payroll of the employees of Hays County,” Tenorio said. “The idea that I would hold up the payroll for Hays County is absurd … I’ve been sworn in to uphold the laws of this county. I am fully vested in this process and I am fully vested in this position … The removal of the payroll from this office is a blessing.” Shell made a motion that the maintenance and management of personnel files be moved to Human Resources, that the county create access for departments to perform key duties and that the Hays County Budget Office have access and authority to receive information necessary in order to do payroll. The motion passed 4-1, with Becerra dissenting.

There have been hundreds of payroll errors for Hays County employees in the recent months.

The Hays County Sheriff’s Office is taking applications for the 2023 Summer Junior Deputy Academy. There will be two separate academies, one on the west side of Hays County and one on the east side of the county. The academies will run Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The east academy will take place June 27 through 29 at Barton Middle School in Buda. The west academy will take place July 18 through 20 at Dripping Springs High School in Dripping Springs. The application deadline for the east academy is June 16, and the deadline for the west academy is...

The Texas Water Company (TWC), formerly known as Canyon Lake Water Service Company, wants to know if residents are happy with the services it provides. Beginning May 30, Great Blue Research will launch a digital survey that allows TWC to reach more customers while saving money. Customers in Comal, Blanco,...

AUSTIN, Texas — Climatologically May is considered the wettest month for Central Texas. However, this month won't be breaking any records. According to Camp Mabry, May's average precipitation is 5.04 inches. But with two days left, Camp Mabry will be reporting just shy of that number with 4.30 inches. In April rainfall totals were not far behind at 4.18 inches.

, , , , The Memorial Day Ceremony at the Hays County Veterans Memorial was heralded by the melodic tunes of the Aquarena Springs Symphonic Band, fitting for a service in honor of those who have given their lives for the good of the community and the nation. Held Monday, the event moderator was the San Marcos Veteran Affairs Advisory Committee Chair and U.S. Navy veteran David Franklin. The San Marcos CISD High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps posted the colors. The AFJROTC’s rigid movements and marching between various formations were graceful and sure to make any veteran...

SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) — An auto dealership group based in Military City USA is giving back to the military in a big way. A new program is being launched by Cavender Auto Group that will donate new cars to active-duty military members. The donations will take place each...

The Hays County Sheriff's Office is taking applications for the 2023 Summer Junior Deputy Academy. There will be two separate academies, one on the west side of Hays County and one on the east side of the county. The academies will run Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.