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The Dripping Springs City Council addressed a number of issues at its Nov. 4 meeting, including approving the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan for 2024-2034. The city has been collecting community feedback on the plan for most of this year through a variety of methods, including surveys, open houses and booths at special events.
The master plan calls for continued development of Dripping Springs Ranch Park, the development of Rathgeber Park according to its vision plan, and use of the Stephenson Building, which is currently being rehabilitated. It also includes improvements for other city parks.
“The current park facilities are showing their age a little bit,” Andrew Binz, Parks and Community Services Director, said. “We need to reinvest in current parks to keep facilities and equipment up-to-date and aesthetically pleasing.”
The master plan is available on the city’s website.
The council also approved a Facilities Use Agreement between the City of Dripping Springs, Dripping Springs Independent School District, and Dripping Springs Lions Club for the 2026 Founders Day Festival; approved a Maintenance and Use Agreement between the City of Dripping Springs and the Dripping Springs Youth Sports Association; and approved selection of Arguijo Construction as the contractor for the West Interceptor Segment 2, which is part of the wastewater expansion project.
The council also heard a request from Dripping Springs ISD for a deferral of the Site Development Permit Application Fees for Dripping Springs High School #2. Those fees, totaling $456,541, were calculated in accordance with the city’s adopted fee schedule requiring $2,000 plus 1.5% of the total estimated site construction cost.
Dripping Springs ISD has requested that the city consider an Interlocal Agreement related to regulation and cost of site plans and building permits.
City staff expressed concerns about allowing any construction activity before fees are paid, but recommended that staff continue with review of the Site Development Permit during the consideration of the Interlocal Agreement.
Scott Berry, Chief Operations Officer for DSISD, spoke to the council on the topic.
“I want to begin by addressing some concerns from some past construction projects - issues that I’m sure created frustration with the city, and frankly they hurt our relationship,” Berry said. “Since I arrived with the school district in Feb of 2025, our construction and facilities department has been reorganized. We’ve added personnel and we’ve increased oversight. These are changes that are not just administrative, but they represent a new direction - a direction that is committed to being a reliable and communicative partner with the city.”
Berry said he is committed to strengthening the city and district partnership. He said a deferral would serve the best interests of both parties as well as the community.
Mayor Bill Foulds, Jr., as well as council members Wade King and Taline Manassian, expressed appreciation for the district’s efforts.
“We’ve made some good steps just in the last month, and so we’re pleased with that,” Foulds said.
Foulds said they wanted to talk with staff for more information on the agreement and to understand the issue better, and the council would likely postpone any action until the next meeting.
“We’ll get you some clear direction here in the next two weeks,” Foulds said.
