Show All Answers

1. How do I schedule Brush Pick Up?

If you would like brush pick up, please call STRD directly at 830-426-4261 or 830-426-4260 for pick up. You may use this service up to twice a month. Brush piles must not exceed 8 cubic yards. There is not a "scheduled" pick up service. 

2. Do I Need to Schedule a Work Order for Brush Pick Up?

For brush piles over 8 cubic yards, please call City Hall at 830-426-3378 to schedule work order. Work orders will be entered once fees are paid in full at City Hall located at 1600 Ave M.

3. How Much Brush Can I Put Out?

• Must be manageable, approximately eight cubic yards or less. If brush size is larger than the allowable 8 cubic yards, STRD will contact you.
• Brush must be cut into lengths not to exceed 4 feet long and 9 inches in diameter.

4. Where Can I Put My Brush?

• Brush should be placed in the front or side of the home, next to the street and behind the curb.
• Do not place brush:
  • In front of parked cars
  • On top of meters, manholes, drainage channels
  • Along fences or mailboxes
  • In the alley or on vacant lots
  • Directly underneath powerlines or any location that may cause damage to either private or public property.
  • Brush must not block car or pedestrian traffic or block public access. (No street placement allowed)

Show All Answers

1. How do I pay my city water bill?

Answer goes here...

2. How do I get a new trash can?

For a replacement trash can, please reach out directly to STRD at 830-426-4261 or 830-426-4260.

3. How do I apply for a job with the City?

https://tx-hondo.civicplus.com/221/Employment-Opportunities

4. My trash didn't get picked up, what should I do now?

If your trash was not picked up, please reach out to STRD directly at 830-426-4261 or 830-426-4260.

5. How do I get a garage sale permit?

Answer goes here...

6. How can I see the agenda for an upcoming City Council or Board meeting?

https://tx-hondo.civicplus.com/129/Agendas-Minutes

Show All Answers

1. Why is Jury Service important?

The United States Constitution and the Texas Constitution guarantee all people the right to trial by an impartial jury of their peers, regardless of race, religion, sex, nation origin or economic status.

2. What is my duty as a Juror?

As a juror, you must be fair and impartial. Your actions and decisions must also be free of any bias or prejudice because your actions and decisions are the foundation of our judicial system.

3. How was I selected?

You were selected at random from the current Voter's Registration list for the City of Hondo.

4. Am I eligible?

Jurors must be:

• A citizen of the United States.
• A resident of the City of Hondo.
• At least 18 years of age.
• Able to read and write the English language.
• Of sound mind.

You cannot serve on a jury if you:

• Have been convicted of a felony or of any type of theft offense (unless your rights have been restored);
• Are now on probation or deferred adjudication for a felony or for any type of theft; or
• Are now under indictment for a felony or are now under criminal charges for any type of theft.
• If you are in doubt or think you may not be qualified to serve on a jury for one of the above or any other reasons, please notify the judge.

5. Who can be excused from Jury Service?

You are entitled to be excused as a juror if you:

• Are over 70 years of age;
• Have legal custody of a child under 10 years of age and jury service would leave the child unsupervised;
• Are a student in class;
• Are the caretaker of a person who is unable to care for themselves (an invalid); or
• Can show a physical or mental impairment or an inability to comprehend to communicate in English.

There is a penalty for jurors failing to respond to summons. A juror may be fined up to $100 if he/she: 1) fails to attend court in disobedience to the notice without reasonable excuse; or 2) files a false claim of exemption from jury service.

6. What are The Different Types of Cases?

There are two basic types of cases, criminal and civil (including family cases).

Criminal Cases:

A criminal case results when a person is accused of committing a crime. You, as a Juror, must decide whether the person charged is guilty or not. The accused person is presumed innocent and the State, represented by the city prosecutor, must prove the defendant is guilty "beyond a reasonable doubt."

Civil Cases:

A civil case results from a disagreement or dispute between two or more private parties. In a civil case, you, a juror, must answer questions of disputed facts based upon the testimony and evidence admitted by the Judge. The answers to these questions are called the verdict. Note: Municipal Court does not hear civil cases.

7. Will I be paid for being a Juror?

Yes. You will be paid $6.00 for appearing for the jury “venire” or pool and if you are selected, to serve on the jury, $10 for each day you actually serve.

8. Must my employer pay me while I am on Jury Duty?

Your employer is not required to pay you while on jury duty. However, employers are prohibited by law from firing an employee for serving as a Juror. An employee whose employment is terminated in violation of this section is entitled to return to the same employment that was held when summoned for jury service if the employee, as soon as practical after release from jury service, gives the employer actual notice that the employee plans to return. (Civil Practice and Remedies Code, section 122.001).

9. Who Can Have a Jury Trial?

Any person charged with a criminal offense or any party to a civil case has a right to a jury trial. All parties are equal before the law and each is entitled to the same fair treatment.

10. Are There Rules about Jury Conduct?

Yes. The Texas Supreme Court has rules to assist you in your conduct as a Juror which will be given to you by the Judge.

11. How is a Juror Selected for a Particular Case?

Cases will be heard by juries of 6 jurors. A larger group, called a panel, will be sent to the trial court (courtroom) where the jurors will be questioned (Voir Dire Process) under the supervision of the judge.

A juror may be excused from the panel if it is shown that the juror cannot act impartially concerning the case to be heard. In addition each side is allowed to remove a given number of jurors from the panel without having to show any reason. The trial jury will be the first 6 of the remaining jurors on the panel.

12. What is Voir Dire or Questioning of the Jury Panel?

It is a way for the parties to select a fair and impartial jury. Under the justice system, you may be questioned by each of the lawyers before they decide to remove a certain number of jurors from the jury panel.

For example, the lawyer may ask you questions to see if you are connected to the trial or if you have any prejudice or bias toward anyone in the trial. These questions are not intended to embarrass you, but rather to help the lawyers in the jury selection process. You may ask the judge to allow you to answer some questions away from the other jurors.

13. What if I have a Special need or Emergency?

After you have been selected as a juror on a trial panel, if you have a special need or an emergency, tell the bailiff.

Show All Answers

1. How do I obtain a Library Card?

To receive a borrower's card, a person must present one of the following forms of current identification:

• Driver's license/State ID (see note)
• Current utility bill (telephone, electric, water)

If the form of identification does NOT have the person's current home address on it, additional proof of address/residence is required, example: lease or mortgage paperwork, utility bill, piece of mail received under that name at that address. 

2. What are the Resident and Non-Resident Prices for Library Cards?

Hondo Residents Price for a Library Card:

Persons who live in or own property inside the city limits of Hondo and have appropriate forms of identification are eligible for an initial library card at no charge.

Non-City Residents Price for a Library Card:

See explanation of fees

• $15 Individual/Family membership annually
• $10 Senior citizen (55+) membership annually
• Free Active duty Military and veterans - in recognition of their service

3. Why do I have to pay a membership if I live outside of the city limits?

The library operates under the support of the City of Hondo through revenue generated from citizens' property taxes and utilities. Although non-city residents may pay county taxes, this revenue is considered county income which does not support the library or local city government. We hope this will help in understanding the procedure used in acquiring a membership.

4. What are the Bookstore Hours?

Monday through Friday 10 am - 6 pm & Saturday 10 am - 3 pm.

5. What are the Bookstore Prices?

• Pink $2 
• Yellow $1 
• Green $0.50

Donations are limited to 30 items per patron per month. Encyclopedias, textbooks, magazines, and VHS tapes are NOT accepted. Neither are materials which were stored where animals or mold caused damage nor where excessive dust was present.

6. Are there other Fines and Fees?

Books, Audio Books, ILL Books

• $.10 cents, per day and per item (Maximum of $5 per item)

DVDs

• $1, per day and per item (Maximum of $10 per item)

Laptops and Wi-Fi Hotspots - Only available AFTER 6 months of active membership

• $5, per day and per item (Maximum of $35 for laptop and $25 for Wi-Fi hotspot)

Full replacement cost of item will be charged if not returned.

Prints and Copies

• Black and White $.10 cents, per page
• Color $1, per page

Out Going Fax

• $1 per page, excluding cover sheet

Replacement Library Card

• $1, per card

Charges for Lost or Damaged Material

If a patron loses a library item or damages an item so that further circulation is impossible, the patron will be charged the full replacement price of the item plus a $3 processing fee. This applies to books, audio books, DVDs and videos. For lost or damaged equipment fees, see the Equipment Policy below.

Show All Answers

1. How do I open a utility account?

To open a new utility account, visit City Hall in person. An application must be completed by either the owner of the property or the tenant. You must have the following appropriate documentation. 

• Valid driver’s license or ID
• Warranty deed or lease agreement 
• Valid phone number
• Deposits or letter of credit (letter of credit must be from a previous utility provider showing no more than 2 late penalties and a minimum of 1 year of services) 
• Connection or occupant change fee

2. How much are utility deposits?

• Residential Electric: $200
• Residential Water: $100
• Commercial Electric: $500 (minimum)
• Commercial Water: $100 (minimum)
• Connect/Occupant change fee: $25 per meter

*Deposits for commercial utilities not listed will be determined using an average of the highest and lowest bill during the most recent preceding twelve month period. 

The City of Hondo does NOT accept telephone requests to open new accounts. However, you may email completed applications to utilities@hondo-tx.org .

3. How do I close my utility account?

Utility accounts can only be closed by completing a Utilities Disconnect Form. Turn in the completed form to the Utility Clerk at City Hall at 1600 Ave M. It can also be emailed (utilities@hondo-tx.org) .

Your deposit will be applied to your last bill. If there is a running balance, it will be mailed to you at your new address. Please be sure to provide us with your forwarding address on the Utilities Disconnect Form. 

4. How do I pay my utility bill?

City utility bills are processed and mailed on the last business day of the month. The bill will include charges for electric, water, and wastewater service and garbage collection. We bill a month behind, for example: consumption from October through November will reflect your December bill. 

The bill will give your past meter readings and the new reading, a breakdown of the charges, applicable taxes, the total amount owed, the due date and the date when penalties are charged.

You may pay your bill by mail, in person at City Hall, 1600 Ave M, over the phone at 877-880-4046 or online at www.hondo-tx.org. A convenient 24-hour drop box is located on the side of City Hall. Other ways to pay include, pay by text 877-880-4046 opt for text, drive up Kiosk, or bank draft.  Additional fees may apply. 

Credit card payments are accepted. Credit card payments will be charged a 2.25% processing fee.

Bank drafting is also available for your convenience. Please complete the Bank Draft Form and return to City Hall.

Bank Draft Form (PDF)

5. What about late payments and disconnects?

Bills are due on or before the 15th of every month by 5pm unless the 15th falls on a weekend or holiday. If that is the case, the due date will be the next business day. A 10% late penalty is added on the 16th of the month to an unpaid balance. If you have not paid your bill by the 15th, you will be sent a late notice with the new amount due and the date your utility services will be disconnected unless payment is received. 

The last day to pay is the 25th of the month by 5pm unless the 25th falls on a Friday, weekend, or holiday. If that is the case, the last day will be the next business day. Service will be disconnected the morning of the next business day. A disconnect fee is added to the account and a reconnect fee is charged. No service will be reinstalled until all charges, including the past due bill, are paid. 

We know that financial emergencies can arise unexpectedly. If this happens to you, please contact the Utility Department at (830) 426-3378 to request an extension as soon as possible as required information is needed to be approved.  Per Code Sec. 12.02.040 Customers shall be allowed two extensions per calendar year.