NOVEMBER 2, 2022 DRIPPING SPRINGS DOMINATES DEL VALLE
RIDE TO END ALZHEIMER’S PAGE 2
PAGE 6
News-Dispatch © Barton Publications, Inc.
75¢
HaysNewsDispatch.com
Vol. 43 • No. 6
Serving Hays County, TX
Hays County Judge questions tax liens County commissioner fined by Texas Ethics Documents show $1.2 million owed BY BRITTANY ANDERSON
HAYS COUNTY — Property owned by Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra is subject to tax liens against more than $1.2 million in back taxes, according to information obtained by the Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch. Federal documents, filed with the Hays County Clerk’s Office, suggest Judge Becerra, his wife Monica, or both, face tax liens from 2010, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, totaling $1,212,686.44. A federal tax lien is filed by the IRS as the government’s legal claim against a person’s property when they neglect or fail to pay a tax debt. IRS liens are valid for 10 years plus 30 days after being assessed. Judge Becerra, who is running for re-election, says the claims and documents that he and his wife owe back taxes are erroneous, and posted personal returns for tax years 2016, 2017 and 2021 to his campaign website at www.judgebecerra.org/
transparency. “We have not seen these tax lien documents before, we do not owe this amount, and we have no taxable connection to the address listed in the document,” he posted on his campaign website. However, the addresses listed on the tax liens are the addresses of the Becerras’ business and home, according to information accessed through the Hays County Central Appraisal District. Representatives from the clerk’s office said that the office does not check the legality or validity of documents such as liens when they are recorded, only that they meet the recording requirements of being original, signed and notarized. Shortly after each of the Becerras’ liens were notarized by IRS revenue officers, they were filed and signed by Hays County Clerk Elaine Cardenas. Judge Becerra told the Hays Free Press/NewsDispatch that the IRS made a mistake in thinking they needed to file a return that
they didn’t need to file. “Once we cleared up not needing to file the return, it’s been made clear that we don’t owe this through the lens of the IRS,” Judge Becerra said, adding that they received this information through the mail and are waiting on the official paperwork. By press time, the only additional document sent to the Hays Free Press/NewsDispatch by the Becerras was an IRS letter sent on Oct. 17 that shows only $3,015.48 is owed; however, this was for the 2020 tax year. The Becerras also received a notice from the IRS dated Oct. 3, 2022 of a “possible employmentrelated identity theft” for the 2021 tax year. The notice indicated that another person may have used Becerra’s social security number to obtain employment. There is currently no known impact to his tax account because of this, but the Becerras are waiting for clarification on this notice. The joint liens: • A 2014 lien (assessed
May 16, 2016) was signed by IRS revenue officers on March 9, 2017, stating an unpaid balance of $12,005.69 • A 2015 lien (assessed June 6, 2016) was signed by revenue officers on March 9, 2017, stating an unpaid balance of $32,693.32. • Two 2016 liens (assessed April 15, 2017 and Sept. 27, 2021) were signed by revenue officers on Feb. 8, 2022, stating an unpaid balance of $545,569.58. • Two 2017 liens (assessed Sept. 3, 2018 and Sept. 27, 2021) were signed by revenue officers on Feb. 8, 2022, stating an unpaid balance of $407,386.03. The Individual liens: • Ruben- A 2018 lien (assessed Sept. 27, 2021) was signed by revenue officers on Feb. 8, 2022, stating an unpaid balance of $125, 643.93. • Monica- A 2018 lien (assessed Sept. 27, 2021) was signed by revenue officers on June 7, 2022, stating an unpaid balance of $89,387.89. Additionally, for tax year
See TAX, page 4
Sixth elementary potential for DSISD BY MEGAN WEHRING
DRIPPING SPRINGS – Dripping Springs ISD is looking at a potential sixth elementary school – one of the many items proposed in the district’s $481.13 million bond package on the upcoming ballot. On Oct. 24, the Dripping Springs ISD board of trustees approved a contract with Pfluger Architects, Inc. to
provide architectural and engineering services for the Elementary #6 Project. In September, the board approved PBK Architects, Inc., Pfluger Architects, Inc., and VLK Architects, Inc. as the most highly qualified firms for services specified, as well as possible architectural and engineering and construction administration services for November 2022 bond construction projects. The board also previously approved using unspent 2018 bond funds to start early design work (schematic design) on the Elementary #6
Project. Trustee Stefani Reinold questioned what funds are being used for the project and if it’s contingent on whether the bond passes in the November election. “You’re exactly right,” said Clint Pruett, director of facilities and construction. “Going back to June, the board had approved the use of remaining 2018 bond funds for early design work on a couple of these projects. The contract, which was prepared by our legal counsel, addresses that so the schematic design portion will be funded by the remaining 2018 bond funds and any
design after the schematic is contingent upon [the bond passing].” Pruett added that the property is large enough for both an elementary school and a middle school. It would also allow for either separate or combined campuses. “I think it would be part of that future charrette, not a part of this design,” said Superintendent Holly Morris-Kuentz. “This design, we are only building one school right now so we are not going to plan on how to combine them. We are
See DSISD, page 2
Commission
BY BRITTANY ANDERSON HAYS COUNTY — The Texas Ethics Commission (TEC) has fined Hays County Pct. 2 commissioner Mark Jones $500 for two campaign violations. The TEC found credible evidence of violations of Sections 253.031 and 254.063 of the Election Code. Jones, who is running for Hays County Judge, told the Hays Free Press/ News-Dispatch that he acknowledged the errors but noted that this is the only violation in the many years that he has held office. According to the TEC, Jones filed the January 2021 semiannual campaign finance report late on July 25, 2022. The report was due Jan. 15, 2021, thus violating Section 254.063 of the Code. The report disclosed $0 in total
WISD bus drivers to receive $100 monthly bonuses BY MEGAN WEHRING WIMBERLEY – Wimberley ISD bus drivers who have perfect attendance will receive a monthly bonus. On Monday, Oct. 24, the WISD Board of Trustees approved a recommendation to provide its bus drivers with an incentive payment of $100 for each month they do not miss a morning or afternoon route during a calendar month in which students are transported. “The district has not currently had to suspend or delay any of our routes this year,” said Allen Bruggman, communications director for WISD. “However, we are at the very edge of our staffing limit in our Transportation Department, so much so that our director and our
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
– PAGE 4
See ETHICS, page 3
INCENTIVES
Graph of DSISD’s enrollment projections through 2027-2028.
HOMELESS COALITION HOSTS INFORMATION SESSION
political contributions and $0 in total political expenditures. In response, Jones swore that at the time the report was due, he was working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic and forgot to file. In addition, the charges state that Jones failed to file an amended campaign treasurer appointment, accepted political contributions and made political expenditures when a campaign treasurer appointment was not in effect. This was based on Jones’ January 2022 semiannual campaign finance report, filed Jan. 14, 2022, in which a new campaign treasurer was listed. However, at the time the semiannual report was filed, Jones had not filed an amended campaign treasurer appointment form with Hays County to
The News-Dispatch Barton Publications, Inc. The News-Dispatch (USPS 011-401) 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
mechanic have regularly been driving routes. In addition, we've asked a few of our coaches/ teachers that have their bus CDL licenses to serve as emergency route drivers, in the event of an absence by a regular driver.” Bruggman added that the incentive is a way to reward the district’s drivers with perfect attendance during this “particularly challenging time.” “We do have a few drivers in training that are set to be fully licensed sometime in December, which will hopefully ease the burden our Transportation Department is currently facing,” Bruggman said. Candidates who are interested in driving a bus for WISD can apply online at wimberleyisd.net/ workatWISD.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO