The developers of a residential project at the head waters of the San Marcos Springs reduced their proposal this week after the city refused to condemn an adjoining strip of land for a road. The owner of that land, Paul Geiger, said he opposes the Windemere Ranch development.

San Marcos city councilmembers have agreed during the budget process to raise rates for its water, wastewater, electric and garbage pick-up customers. Though the new water rates are yet to be decided, the city already charges among the highest rates in Texas among cities of its size.

San Marcos Planning and Zoning commissioners again went against the city staff recommendation corning the Last House on the Block, a house on Smith Lane being used as a meeting place for Alcoholics Anonymous. The commission agreed to issue a one-year conditional use permit.

Texas State student Griffin Spell dropped out of the November race for incumbent San Marcos Councilmember Kim Porterfield’s seat Wednesday, leaving that race to Porterfield and 2008 mayoral candidate David Newman.

One 2008 San Marcos mayoral candidate, David Newman, jumped in at the last minute Tuesday to run for a city council seat against incumbent Councilmember Kim Porterfield. Another 2008 mayoral candidate, Daniel McCarthy, had announced a run for mayor, but did not file before Tuesday’s deadline.

At a special meeting of the San Marcos City Council Tuesday night, Mayor Susan Narvaiz and Carma Texas General Manager Shaun Cranston said they would look into alternatives to reclaimed water for a golf course within the proposed Paso Robles development.

Toby Hooper, a member of the city’s ethics commission, announced that he is running for the San Marcos City Council seat being vacated by Councilmember Gaylord Bose. Hooper is running against Planning and Zoning Commissioner Jude Prather.

A group of about 50 people seeking more open government in San Marcos met this week at the San Marcos Public Library. The first task is to generate a list of recommendations for the San Marcos City Council.

San Marcos Mayor Susan Narvaiz and Carma Texas General Manager Shaun Cranston met with San Marcos residents Wednesday night at Mariposa Apartments to discuss the Paso Robles development. Local residents were mostly concerned about the traffic implications.

Between $115,000 for a sculpture between the San Marcos Activity Center and the San Marcos Public Library, and a proposed $100,000 to commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr., and Lyndon Baines Johnson, San Marcos officials are moving ahead with public arts projects.