SAN MARCOS, Texas -- It's no secret that San Marcos has a delicate ecosystem that needs protecting, and City Council is working to make sure that happens.
- City created Council Sustainability Committee
- Adopted Sustainability Plan in 2013
- Working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2022
Many archeologists believe the area around the San Marcos Springs is one of the oldest continuously inhabited sites in the nation, which is why the San Marcos City Council has its sights set on being more environmentally conscious.
Tuesday night, council appointed a "Council Sustainability Committee," made up of members Lisa Prewitt, Mark Rockeymoore and Joca Marquez. The committee will provide focus for the city on implementing more sustainable practices.
"We're going to be that leader because of our ecology, because of the university, because we just have so many sectors in the community were that can happen," Marquez said.
MORE INFORMATION | City of San Marcos website
From the beginning, Marquez ran on a platform of putting the environment first. Now, she's getting to put her words into practice on this committee.
"I'm very excited. I know that we can move the city in the right direction," Marquez said.
The city adopted a Sustainability Plan in 2013, then put forth the mayor's Climate Action Plan in 2017. Marquez said with a new, diverse council, there's now going to be a fresh look at implementing greener policies in San Marcos.
"A lot of people in the city are woke about the environment, a lot of people in the city care a lot about the environment," Marquez said. "We all want the same thing: to protect it from developers, to protect it from contamination, to protect our air quality."
According to a presentation from Tuesday's work session, since 2017 the city has made changes to be more sustainable, like switching to LED lights, and adding foot and bike patrols for San Marcos police.
READ MORE | City Council Work Session (.pdf)
The city has also signed a contract to supply renewable wind energy, which staff says would reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2022. There are also recommendations to City Council on using reclaimed water and solar panels at city facilities, switching to electric fleet vehicles, and adopting LEED type standards of new building construction.
The next step is coming up with overall cost estimates, which Marquez says will be worth the expense in the long run.
"We always end up paying for climate change and we saw it here in 2015," Marquez said. "There are costs associated with it, just like with anything, there are a lot of costs but in the end, but it's going to be so rewarding."
Marquez wants to see the city become a leader in sustainability.
"It is a moral duty, it is a responsibility, it's a higher calling, it's very spiritual for me personally. Nothing really gets me more excited and passionate as much as protecting our environment," Marquez said.