May 25, 2022 Hays Free Press

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MAY 25, 2022 ROBOTICS TEAMS

GLOW SHOW

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© Barton Publications, Inc.

Hays Free Press

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HaysFreePress.com

Vol. 128 • No. 11

Serving Hays County, TX

Hays property values soar Residents protest appraisals

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON AND C.J. VETTER HAYS COUNTY — It’s no secret that Hays County is experiencing an explosive amount of growth, but with that kind of growth comes an inevitable rise in the cost of living — and property values. Over 110,000 Hays County homeowners received their property appraisal notices in April, and many were met with a dramatic increase in their property values. Back in March, the Texas Association of Appraisal Districts announced “historic growth” in Texas real estate values. The association said that regions around the state have seen increases in values between 10-50% since last year, and the Austin-Round Rock MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) housing market specifically is up 35.35% ‘year over year.’ According to the Hays CAD (Central Appraisal District), almost 4,000 new homes and 27 new commercial buildings were added to the appraisal roll for 2022. Total new improvements added more than $2.21 billion in

taxable value. The overall market value of Hays County’s 2022 preliminary appraisal roll rose to nearly $59 billion, up 53.27% from $38.4 billion in 2021. Commercial and industrial real property increased in value nearly 41%, up from nearly $3.6 billion in 2021 to $5 billion this year. Residential multi-family property grew to $3.66 billion, up from 47.20% from last year’s value of nearly $2.5 billion. Alvin Lankford, president of TAAD and chief appraiser of Williamson County, said the Texas real estate market is growing the fastest in the state’s history — in large part due to the increase in population, contributing to a shortage of homes and an increase in prices for said homes. Hays County’s rural appeal with easy access to nearby metropolitan areas makes it an attractive option for homebuyers. According to the Hays CAD, high demand with limited real estate inventory in the area contributed to a staggering increase in residential real estate prices, more than 40% in some areas. Acreage land values rose upwards of 80%, while vacant lots rose more than 95%. Properties are appraised at least once

A comparison of the 2021 and 2022 residential average market and average taxable values in Hays County. Courtesy of Hays CAD. every three years. The appraiser also looks at any improvements made to see if there is any change in the exterior condition of the property. The appraisal district will determine the market value of a property as of Jan.

1 using three methods of appraisal, if applicable: • Sales comparison/market approach: what and how many comparable

See APPRAISALS, page 10

Walking the walk Graduates celebrated

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON Hays CISD seniors recently had the opportunity to participate in an endof-school-year tradition that celebrates graduating seniors and inspires the younger generation of students. Hundreds of seniors from Hays High School, Johnson High School and Lehman High School packed into buses last week and visited the district’s elementary and middle school campuses for the annual Senior Walk. On May 19, nearly 200 Hays HS seniors visited students and staff at Kyle, Negley, Buda, Tobias and

Blanco Vista elementary schools, as well as Wallace Middle School. On May 20, over 300 Johnson HS seniors, the school’s first ever graduating class, visited Carpenter Hill, Tom Green, Pfluger, Elm Grove and Camino Real elementary schools. On May 23, almost 200 Lehman HS seniors visited Blanco Vista, Kyle, Tobias, Hemphill, Uhland, Pfluger, Fuentes and Science Hall elementary schools, as well as Wallace, Chapa and Simon middle schools. Hays CISD has held ‘senior walks’ for the past

Lehman High School seniors visited close to a dozen campuses during the annual Senior Walk.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HAYS CISD

See WALK, page 10

Police make arrest for tire slashings STAFF REPORT

KYLE - The Kyle Police Department arrested Russell Kershaw, 35, in connection with the tire slashings that took place in the Woodlands and Cool Springs neighborhoods. Dispatch received the first call from Evening Star at 3:48 a.m. on Monday, May 16. Officers were dispatched to the address and while checking the neighborhood, they found more vehicles with tires

slashed on multiple streets. Officers made contact with the vehicle owners and took a total of 31 reports for related incidents spread throughout the Woodlands and Cool Springs neighborhoods. Later that night, at approximately 11:45 p.m., a resident on Silver Springs Bend observed a man acting suspiciously and called 911. Officers responding to the call found Kershaw in the process of slashing more tires. Police found an additional 16 tires

JAGS TRIUMPH

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had been slashed in the Cool Springs neighborhood during the night. Police took Kershaw into custody for the 16 tires he had been found in the process of slashing and found the knife they believe was used in the incidents. After reviewing video evidence, police added the 31 incidents from earlier to his charges. Kershaw was booked into the Hays County Jail on two charges of felony criminal mischief, a state jail felony.

Buda promotes motorcycle safety

BY C.J. VETTER

BUDA – Nearly 500 people have suffered fatal injuries from motorcycle-related incidents in 2022, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. In an effort to help prevent further injuries, the Buda City Council announced May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. This is to encourage citizens to be mindful of more vulnerable drivers and to be considerate to those they share the road with. With over 420,000 Texans already hitting the roads on two or three

The Hays Free Press Barton Publications, Inc. The Hays Free Press (USPS 361-430) published weekly by Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610. Periodicals postage paid at Buda, TX 78610 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610. ISSN#1087-9323

wheels, and more joining every year, there is a growing need to ensure the safety of our fellow drivers, whether they are in a car or on a bike. In attendance at the meeting were members from numerous Hays County area clubs, such as the Least of Saints, the Grim Guardians and Honorbound motorcycle clubs, while the proclamation was given to Johnny Spiegelmyer, a chapter president. In addition to nominating May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, the city council also recognized it as National Historic Preservation Month and Older Americans Month.


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