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BASTROP — Bastrop’s Development Services Department has made significant strides in efficiency and financial management over the past two years, city officials said, marking a turnaround from a once-backlogged permitting process.
Meanwhile, tourism data shows a measurable impact on city funds, and newly designated parkland brings the city into compliance with state requirements.
Passing permits
Before City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino was hired in September 2022, the city had about 700 permit applications stalled, according to Mayor Pro Tem John Kirkland.
“People who wanted to build a home would spend two years to get a permit,” Kirkland said. “A small awning in a backyard took six months. Something like a water heater was just impossible, which is crazy because you need that today.”
Carrillo-Trevino said water heater permits are now issued over the counter, and residential construction reviews are completed in fewer than 30 days.
“You always assess where you are and how you can improve, but the distance we’ve come in the last two years is the difference between being abusive to our residents and collaborating with them to ensure everyone’s success,” Kirkland said.
Carrillo-Trevino added that delays had hampered economic development, noting that builders rely on clear timelines for construction and financing.
Development Services Director James Cowey said the department’s mission includes balancing growth with quality-of-life concerns, protecting property rights and enhancing property values.
The department was converted to a Special Revenue Fund in 2023—meaning it generates most of its operating budget from fees—though it can receive general fund support if needed. It budgeted $1.93 million in revenue for fiscal year 2024–25 and has collected more than $1.44 million to date.
While Carrillo-Trevino said several large projects currently underway should help the division meet its revenue goal, the department has already spent $1.91 million—more than $800,000 over budget—largely due to increased professional services, salaries and insurance costs.
Despite those overruns, officials said the department is still expected to remain largely self-sustaining.
Tracking tourism
Visit Bastrop CEO Mike Pistana introduced a new website impact calculator at a recent City Council meeting, which tracks how online engagement translates into actual visits.
In the first quarter of 2024, 1,254 visitors to Bastrop had previously interacted with the city’s tourism website. Data shows that for every 1,000 website impressions, an average of 17.3 people visited the city. Most visitors came from the Austin area, with others traveling from states including Illinois, Georgia and Florida.
Tourism-generated visits help fill hotel rooms and boost revenue from hotel occupancy and sales taxes. With the recent opening of Everhome Suites, Bastrop now has 12 hotels contributing to the city’s hotel occupancy tax fund. Two more hotels are under construction, and at least two others are in early planning stages, Pistana said.
Records show Bastrop maintained an occupancy rate of 60.3% for the first quarter, up slightly from last year. The city ended 2024 with a 64.9% occupancy rate—outperforming similarly sized cities like Boerne, Buda and Georgetown.
Parkland compliance
The council voted to designate 15.84 acres at 1500 Farm St. as parkland, a step that restores Bastrop’s compliance with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, according to Parks and Recreation Director Terry Moore.
“We built a water plant in a park in violation of a grant, and we’ve been trying to get back into compliance so we can apply for additional grants,” Moore said. “Most every park we have in the city was funded in some way by Texas Parks and Wildlife, so this is really important.”
The newly designated parkland lies within a flood zone and was purchased in August to remain undeveloped, preserving the natural flow of water and aiding floodplain management.
Moore noted that while future councils can change designations, reversing a parkland designation is difficult and would require voter approval.
