With two 5-2 votes Tuesday night, the San Marcos City Council approved employment agreements with police and firefighters worth $2.7 million during the next three years. The agreements will raise average salaries for the city’s 95 sworn police personnel by $19,400 at the end of three years, while 52 firefighters would be increased an average of $20,000 per year after three years.

After a “possible conflict of interest” led San Marcos city officials to turn over delinquent tax collections to Hays County this week, an identical conflict came into play for the city once the county accepted the job. As a result, delinquent tax collections both for the city and the county will be handled by a law firm that contracts with the father of Hays County Tax Assessor-Collector Luanne Caraway (R-Kyle).

On the eve of an election that could define a new voting majority on the city council, San Marcos City Councilmembers voted Monday to table two contentious items regarding compensation. Councilmembers tabled an employment agreement with the city’s police officers, then tabled a second and deciding vote on payment for themselves.

The City of San Marcos recently placed three “BigBelly” solar powered, cordless trash compactors on and around the Courthouse Square.

The City of San Marcos honored public servants working for the military, schools and government during Public Service Recognition Week, which runs from May 4-10.