Date: November 18th 2025
Session Reconvened: 9:12 a.m. • Adjourned: 10:33 a.m.
The Village of The Hills City Council reconvened its special session on Tuesday morning, beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance before proceeding efficiently through financial approvals, appointments, reports, and public comments. Below is a full recap for residents who could not attend.
✔ Key Council Actions & Approvals
• Financial Items
Finance Treasurer’s Report (October 2025) - Approved.
FY2025 Audit Engagement - The Council authorized the engagement letter with Singleton Clark & Company PC.
2025 Audit Fee: $12,700 (up from $12,100 last year).
• Law Enforcement Contract
The annual amendment to the Travis County Constables 2025–2026 contract was approved.
Includes up to a 15% increase from last year.
This is part of a four-year adjustment plan (through 2028) intended to move the village closer to the market rate for law enforcement services.
Even with the increase, the Village remains below market.
• Election Results Canvassed
Resolution 2025-00007 was approved, officially canvassing and declaring the results of the November 4, 2025 General Election for three city council seats.
• Council Officer Appointments
For one-year terms, the Council appointed:
Mayor Pro Tem: Sarah Carroll
Treasurer: Gary Wolff
Secretary: Marty Khait
• City Administrator Contract
The amended contract for the City Administrator was authorized, pending signatures from:
The Mayor
City Attorney
City Administrator
• Welcome Commission Appointment
The Council unanimously approved Hayden Alvey to join the Welcome Commission.
His past service includes:
POA Board
Architectural Committee
Residents noted his strong community involvement.
👮♂️ Law Enforcement Report – October 2025
Deputy Gonzalez delivered the monthly report with the following highlights:
• Incident Summary (117 Total)
3 Assist motorists
2 Criminal trespass
2 Suspicious persons
4 Civil citations
11 911 hang-ups
26 Assist complainants
21 Traffic stops
7 Selective traffic enforcements
Traffic stops were about 40% lower than usual, partly due to officer vacation schedules.
• Enforcement Strategy
Deputy Gonzalez explained that enforcement typically cycles between:
Strict periods - heavy ticketing and visibility
Lulls - observing driving patterns after strict periods
• Staffing & Resource Constraints
The Constable’s Office is unable to staff a second full-time constable at this time.
As a result, the Village’s law enforcement budget remains underutilized.
Current coverage includes:
Deputy Gonzalez
A sergeant
Up to six deputies who patrol on off-days
Focus is on morning and evening coverage, with efforts underway to secure overnight “power shifts” for December.
🗣 Public Comment
A resident requested that Greg Wharton’s proposal for the Village to assume MUD responsibilities be added to a future agenda.
Another resident thanked law enforcement for recent response efforts, especially addressing kids doing wheelies and riding scooters double down Hill Drive.
🛡 City Business & Administrative Notes
• City Logo Ordinance Deferred
Ordinance 2025-17, concerning protection and licensed use of the Village logo, was postponed.
Items under consideration include:
Prohibiting unauthorized logo use
Creating a formal co-branding process
Establishing a vendor agreement for Welcome Commission gift basket sponsors
The City Attorney recommended the Village pursue a trademark application for the logo.
• Administrator Report Highlights
Multiple resident property concerns: draining pools improperly, lawn trash, and evictions.
The e-bike issue that previously affected The Hills appears to have shifted to Flint Rock.
📌 Committee & Liaison Reports
• Parks & Recreation
Quorum achieved at recent meeting.
Wood chips under swings were noted as “a little light” - on schedule to be fixed.
A water fountain installation estimate was received, but the vendor does not install; the city is seeking installation bids from Cold Springs Right and Spicewood.
• POA Liaison Report
Multiple wooden fences are being replaced, with flexible timelines for homeowners.
Emergency gate keypads being installed this week.
Finances remain strong.
A vendor has been selected for the long-awaited traffic study - results will be shared when ready.
• MUD / MUDA
Topics included rates, employee salary increases, and winter safety measures.
Budget trending on track.
Property tax payments already coming in.
• Welcome Committee Commission
Hosted its first happy hour on October 21st - excellent feedback from new residents.
Many described it as the best community welcome they’ve ever experienced.
Since May, the committee has successfully contacted 41 of 46 new households.
🎅 Upcoming Events & Village Notes
• Santa Returns to Hills Park
Date: December 6
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Budget: $7,500
$3,000 from Parks & Rec
Remainder from YAK
Features include:
Photos with Santa
Cookies & milk
Letters to Santa
Bounce house and family activities
This is expected to be a well-attended holiday favorite.
• Upcoming Agenda Topics
Liaison roles
City logo ordinance (rescheduled)
• Council Onboarding
Newly elected members will receive onboarding packets and must complete:
Open Meetings Act training
Public Information Request training
within 90 days.
The Village will pay for all council member bonds.
Thank you for staying informed
As always, The Hills Observer is committed to providing residents with clear, accessible updates on Village governance and community happenings. If you have questions, comments, or topics you would like covered in future issues, feel free to reach out.
— Karthik Naralasetty
Resident Reporter, The Hills Observer