Wimberley City Council Elections

Q: The plan to have the city’s effluent treated by Aqua Texas is well underway, but there are still steps to be taken before it is finalized. It appears there may be a possibility for the city council to reverse course and revert back to the city-owned treatment plan. If elected, how will you try and handle the sewer system and why do you believe that is the correct and feasible option?

Jaggers: We need to complete the sewer system as currently planned and approved, with no plant at Blue Hole. Why? It is the most environmentally sound and financially responsible option. No plant means no discharge of sewer effluent into the Blanco River – a potential environmental catastrophe for our river and aquifers. Unlike the City, Aqua has a land application permit, with no option to discharge. The economics are simple. The City could build a $3.1 million plant and spend $214,000 annually to operate it. But it wouldn’t stop there, the City would be further burdened with other financial risks, including potential spills and the cost to expand and eventually replace the facility. The other option selected is to spend approximately $0.2 million to connect to Aqua and pay them an annual cost of just $53,000. Remember someone has to pay for the cost and debt repayment – sewer customers and the City. Sounds like a no-brainer. Please remember, the users will still be customers of the City, not Aqua. The City will still own the CCN to provide service. Also, Aqua will provide the City access to Type 1 effluent for irrigation when the City is ready to accept it.

Q: Besides the sewer system, what are your main priorities if elected?

Jaggers: My key priority is to not let Wimberley become Dripping Springs. This is not a slight to our great neighbor, but the majority of us want to keep Wimberley the community that attracted us to live here. Of course, we cannot help but to experience growth and change here in one of the fastest growing counties in the country. However, we can still protect the City from rapid and unbridled growth that could change our unique character forever. We need to do this through updating the City’s Comprehensive Plan and reviewing and revising City ordinances to support our objectives.

Q: Do you foresee a need or an appropriate situation for the city of Wimberley to have a property tax above zero percent? Would you support a property tax?

Jaggers: The City has finite financial resources and a tight budget. Thus far, the City has been fortunate not to have invoked a property tax. My philosophy is that the City should live within its means, and thus far the citizens have not been favor of a property tax to expand government services. I support that viewpoint and do not foresee the need for a property tax in the near future. The exception to that could be if the City changes direction again on the sewer project and embarks on building its own plant at Blue Hole. Because of the high costs and a small number of sewer customers, the City had been forecasted to heavily subsidize the old project plan. This would have diverted City funds that could otherwise be used for other important basic services – and likely the need to impose a property tax.

Q: For a number of years, local politics have become rather divisive in Wimberley with the discord creating apparent issues for the city and council. How will you try and heal that division and can you work with those on the other side of a political issue to strike a compromise?

Jaggers: Wimberley is a wonderful place to live, with many activities and events available for all to enjoy. So many people giving back to their community is one thing that makes Wimberley great. For example, at each Fourth of July parade I am amazed how many people participate, watch, and have fun – it seems to grow in number each year. I also look at them and think how much more we all have in common than not. Clearly the sewer issue has been the most divisive issue for many in the community. But that will soon pass and Wimberley will move on – hopefully in a more collective and constructive manner, and get back to the important issues where we do have a greater consensus. I pledge to do what I can to ensure that a sense of unity and civility return to the political environment in Wimberley.

Q: The city recently deannexed two properties in Wimberley totaling more than 100 acres. How do you view the issue of deannexation for the city?

Jaggers: Obviously we cannot dismember the City piece by piece through disannexation. However, there are times when disannexation is appropriate. These should be decided on a case-by-case basis. For example, the City’s desire to add land at the time of incorporation may have resulted in gerrymandered boundaries or other fairness issues that forced certain properties to be included that should not have been. Also, keep in mind that there are Texas laws that guide the different processes and circumstances for disannexation that must be considered and followed.