City Councils for both Kyle and Buda will soon vote on an interlocal agreement between the entities and Hays County to facilitate the construction, operation and joint use of an animal care facility in Kyle. The votes will take place on Jan. 20 at the cities’ respective council meetings.

At a glance: The City of Kyle intends to lead the construction of an animal shelter that will handle the city’s needs, according to the proposed interlocal agreement. The City of Buda and Hays County requested that the shelter be expanded to serve the specific needs of the entities.

How we got here: The City of Buda and the City of Kyle previously contracted services with the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter. The shelter will release all interlocal partners in 2026.

Staff with all three entities proceed to draft the proposed interlocal agreement. Hays County approved the agreement on Jan. 6.

Next steps: The City of Kyle and the City of Buda will vote on the agreement at council meetings on Jan. 20.

Laurie Brown and Angie Unger are seeking votes in the Democratic primary election for Hays County Precinct 4 commissioner. The incumbent, Walt Smith, has served the county since 2018 and is not running for reelection.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face the winner of the Republican primary in the general election to determine who will serve as Hays County Commissioner for Precinct 4.

What you need to know

• Tuesday, Feb. 17: first day of early voting in person
• Friday, Feb. 20: application for ballot by mail deadline (received in the Elections office, not postmarked)
• Friday, Feb. 27: last day of early voting in person
• Tuesday, March 3: election day

Check out the top six trending stories in the Austin area for Jan. 12-15. 

1. Round Rock council gives initial go-ahead for speed limit reduction on Greenlawn Boulevard

2. LongHorn Steakhouse saddles up for Bastrop opening

3. Tunnels complete for Lake Travis deep-water intake project

4. Updates on 8 current and future transportation projects in Georgetown

5. Check out 13 of Leander’s latest launches, leavings and local leaps

6. From Thai food to beer: Check out 6 business updates in Dripping Springs

Guadalupe County commissioners postponed a vote to update its 2012 major thoroughfare plan during its regular meeting Jan. 6.

A major thoroughfare plan is a long-range planning tool used for potential future roadways. The plan does not define the final alignment of roadways, nor does it construct roadways and acquire new property. Instead, the plan aims to identify general alignments and roadway classifications needed to accommodate transportation needs and facilitate mobility and connectivity, according to Guadalupe County's website.

Some details: Guadalupe County Judge Kyle Kutscher said thoroughfare plans are a challenging conversation from start to finish.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Jacqueline Ott said her vote will depend on what she thinks is best for Precinct 1.

Stay tuned: The Commissioners Court will discuss the plan again at an upcoming meeting scheduled for Jan. 24 or Feb. 10.

Five Republican candidates are running for a six-year term on the Texas Railroad Commission in the upcoming March 3 primary election.

The big picture: Katherine Culbert, Hawk Dunlap, Bo French, James "Jim" Matlock and Jim Wright are vying for the Republican nomination for a seat on the railroad commission. The winning Republican candidate will face Jon Rosenthal in November, and the winner of that election will begin serving on the commission in January 2027.

Rosenthal, a state representative and oilfield mechanical engineer, is running uncontested in the Democratic primary. Community Impact runs candidate Q&As for contested races only.

The context: The railroad commission regulates Texas’ oil and gas industry, according to its website, while the state's railroads are under the control of the Texas Department of Transportation and the federal government.