[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6387050,"mediaKeyId","2117198-da4e68341ce3ee136064cd8d7278ff7f","parentId",2117198,"title","Kendall County votes to form 391 Subregional Planning Commission with Kerr County, 3-2","audioSeconds",5303,"startMs",1957000,"endMs",7260000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2117198-da4e68341ce3ee136064cd8d7278ff7f&start=1957&end=7260","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2117198-da4e68341ce3ee136064cd8d7278ff7f/thumbnail_1957000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6387050/Kendall-County/Texas/Kendall-County-votes-to-form-391-Subregional-Planning-Commission-with-Kerr-County-3-2","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6387050-9a63aea8e99f8c8e3cc0a6eba108b2ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142622&Signature=nJ2vwv~IK31LDNzJN3ra2um7TuSrwSLmEi0CegCHdLvrHJSPnTu2um1hRLr3tZjzQjJT7ztlhOYBh8qVJyOnK9sm-nzg6EmzKbtYZCivvhfZknxxdpDdhT4P45jDo5IZdLw3QtkukPyAFmhjHtZlxHXVt74RtqdfwJtWHzuqoZVRAURMB~zP9mHngejcVEz2iIhqqXpW43iR-UfOjK5ssJZeZltTG2Vm19LuaMk68egvF1FRFMTSeh-UA0Ai1PTOvAiNuc8O~XTqWez0RRHM6R90ynuby48vxObvNjbUO2xbuQEUUjtlPY6Rl9jPpE8q9eB2oy6-JhvmP0l5qSD~LQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kendall County, Texas","date","2025-01-07T00:00:00Z","article","Kendall County Commissioners Court voted 3-2 Tuesday to enter an interlocal agreement with Kerr County to form a Subregional Planning Commission under Texas Local Government Code chapter 391.

Supporters of the SRPC said it would create a formal coordination process that requires state and federal agencies to notify and meet with local governments when projects affecting public health, safety or welfare are proposed. \"This subregional planning commission forces this coordination,\" Commissioner Andrew Wiesen said, adding the body would not itself confer new regulatory authority but would “give us a little bit more standing when it comes to us standing together.”

The vote followed more than an hour of public comment from residents of Comfort and other parts of Kendall County who urged the court to adopt the SRPC to address proposed battery energy storage systems (BESS), wastewater projects and other developments they said threaten local water and safety. \"We need you to take this action to be proactive on our behalf,\" Alex Rudd told the court during public comments, citing recent local applications and what she described as limited public input from state agencies.

Opponents on the court raised legal, financial and governance questions during the business discussion. Commissioner Chapman reviewed the draft interlocal agreement section-by-section and repeatedly urged tighter limits on the commission's authority, clear budget constraints, a defined term length and detailed provisions on liability and insurance. He warned the commission could incur rapid legal or administrative expenses if the agreement is not narrowly drafted.

Legal counsel and visiting Kerr County officials said parts of the agreement are draft language and can be revised. Kerr County Commissioner Rich Paces told Kendall County the intent is to \"bring people to the table\" (including state agencies such as TCEQ and ERCOT) to learn about projects early rather than to create a new permitting authority. Counsel in the meeting also flagged a statutory requirement under the Interlocal Cooperation Act, chapter 791, that any interlocal contract must state parties will pay for services from current revenues; the court directed that required language be added.

After discussion, Commissioner Chad Carpenter moved to form the SRPC; Commissioner Wiesen seconded. Commissioners Carpenter (Precinct 4), Wiesen (Precinct 2) and Jennifer McCall (Precinct 1) voted in favor; the County Judge and the commissioner from Precinct 3 voted against the motion. The court instructed staff to return a revised interlocal agreement and bylaws for final approval at the next regular meeting.

What the SRPC will do and how it will be funded remained open at the vote. Commissioners and counsel discussed adding an exit clause, limiting the commission's scope to BESS matters if desired, and obtaining a director/officer insurance quote before finalizing the agreement. The court also discussed an auditor's certificate and the need for explicit language that any related expenditures will be paid from current revenues.

The SRPC vote came after months of citizen organizing: Kerr County had voted unanimously to form the SRPC with Kendall County at an earlier meeting, and multiple speakers referenced prior workshops and outreach. Supporters said the commission could be used to raise state and federal agencies to answer local concerns; critics said the tool is untested, could add a layer of government and might shift decision-making away from locally elected officials.

The court directed staff to place a revised interlocal agreement and bylaws on the agenda for the commissioners' next regular meeting for final edits and approval.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Special Call Meeting January 7, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Kendall County Commissioners Court voted 3-2 Tuesday to enter an interlocal agreement with Kerr County to form a Subregional Planning Commission under Texas Local Government Code chapter 391.","taxTitle","taxId",63803,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6387040,"Dispute over countywide grant coordinator role surfaces as judge moves to hire former commissioner",501,4607000,5108000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2117198-da4e68341ce3ee136064cd8d7278ff7f&start=4607&end=5108","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2117198-da4e68341ce3ee136064cd8d7278ff7f/thumbnail_4607000.jpg","/articles/6387040/Kendall-County/Texas/Dispute-over-countywide-grant-coordinator-role-surfaces-as-judge-moves-to-hire-former-commissioner","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6387040-2482a9f4620926f041d104683f985fa5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142622&Signature=TexKEu1WuHBEYDiK1nWJCOONny--zWuGhOvdbAB71svWM7bPEM~POcBOA0vllr28dxEn8DNZpAZDNsSSgsETlsfPChwGICe1mIgijQO~11zJoG-bzy5XhTYbL0lWKogmt-O8btU2k7LxYiycz9WPHX-43wRQFwYcTp8GizC~hztOELekXFt3p-UCJ9bYlUjVBTziPg4vhQ~wM1Nus4wg8DR03KzHptJ3u3G6f5b0V2IR7z~VA8u8TYwHHaclsOtToapHV9Sg-XPWZ65VAZHazTToItbKBW-QP1UAenURSZE9j3G53aMjMdw2LLj8RzfQvc0Rk6Y23~0PeqscuJ4Yzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kendall County Commissioners Court spent prolonged time Tuesday discussing a budget amendment and the supervisory placement of a countywide grant coordinator position after public commenters raised ethics and process concerns about the job posting and recent hiring.

Resident Mike Lucking told the court he supported efforts to oppose battery storage facilities but opposed what he described as hiring a former elected official into a county role. \"I do have a problem with holding a position open specifically for an outgoing elected official,\" Lucking said during public comment and asserted state ethics and revolving-door restrictions could apply. Kathy Moore, a resident and former human resources professional, urged the court to reject a transfer of supervisory jurisdiction from the County Judge to the commissioners because she contended the approved fiscal 2025 budget had placed the position under the judge and cited Texas Local Government Code section 151.004.

County leaders and staff described the history differently. Commissioners and the County Judge said the grant-coordinator line item appeared in the judge's budget earlier in the process and that the judge's office had jurisdiction for day-to-day supervision and office space. The County Judge told the court that he removed communications and creative media duties from the posted job description after discussions in executive session and that the position had since been filled.

\"I 100% stick to my word in that executive session,\" the County Judge said, adding that the hired individual was intended to serve as a grant writer. The judge identified the hire as Christina Bergman, a former Precinct 1 commissioner, and said she would be paid at a lower rate than another part-time grant hire discussed earlier. He said the appointee brought eight years of institutional knowledge and would work with staff across departments.

Commissioner Wiesen and other commissioners expressed concern for a clear supervisory relationship and for the court to have confidence the grant coordinator would serve the entire court's interests. \"Who determined where that grant writer position played?\" Wiesen asked; the judge and staff said the line appeared under the judge's office in earlier budget drafts and in the adopted budget packet.

Commissioner Wiesen and others also flagged that the public posting had originally included communications and creative media duties in addition to grant-writing tasks, duties some commissioners said were neither discussed in budget hearings nor budgeted (for software, equipment or training). Wiesen said a dedicated grant writer should focus on grants rather than communications.

No formal vote on transferring the countywide grant coordinator position or on a budget amendment appears in the transcript. The judge said the job had already been filled and asked the court to give the person a chance to work; several commissioners and former colleagues publicly supported the hire. County staff said human resources had processed the position and that the budget contained the line item, and that a formal budget adjustment would be prepared where required.

The court's discussion closed without a recorded court vote on a transfer of supervisory authority; staff were directed to follow standard budget adjustment procedures for any required line-item changes and return any formal transfer for court action if necessary.","A budget-amendment item to transfer funds and supervisory authority for a countywide grant coordinator prompted public comments and a lengthy debate on Tuesday. Critics said the county improperly rehired a recent elected official for a communications-inclusive grant role; the County Judge said the job was posted, duties narrowed and a former",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6387045,"Commissioners approve part-time criminal justice grant coordinator paid with SB 22 funds",764,1176000,1940000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2117198-da4e68341ce3ee136064cd8d7278ff7f&start=1176&end=1940","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2117198-da4e68341ce3ee136064cd8d7278ff7f/thumbnail_1176000.jpg","/articles/6387045/Kendall-County/Texas/Commissioners-approve-part-time-criminal-justice-grant-coordinator-paid-with-SB-22-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6387045-fe10a973e42bd8355b9befef6b29f56d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142622&Signature=CS3aKay1yQCMsXx1wKJZ2k51cuPDuSNdeRQnmzMKt69bnotRQUtzkrqiuLPla9l1OutA-TC80mSi6lj9LUYkajylhvaxHXIeDAC4CrB2FeC81YI4qQOLcA8KVGd-y~jJKO-E-4VwaBRDAG3IqO0JpelPZWTacWUlvXEdoDJW4~gdvuOG-wRn3cw~lfKpbA670aPyB4Vcz9kgv6YHEB8fWsn81G2a0SyTG0~jdtBvrIfYrwj~Q1P5cPAnNa0VoN7OXger7D96~0-89g1wBNdzaL~9so2OO5rpO3mTGSCU3dACxQdeZrmc2uheqq37lLBwpb6OL9AGGxc-LEjY6wk~oA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kendall County Commissioners Court on Tuesday unanimously approved creation of a part-time criminal justice grant coordinator in the Criminal District Attorney's office, to be fully funded with SB 22 rural prosecutor salary assistance funds.

\"This is separate and apart from the other grant coordinator on the agenda,\" Criminal District Attorney Nicole S. Bishop told the court, explaining the position will focus solely on criminal justice grants and will be funded only through existing grant dollars. Bishop said the role is intended to shore up three grants currently held in her office and the sheriff's office, free her victim advocate to do statutorily required advocacy work, and prepare grant files to transfer later to the countywide grant coordinator.

Bishop named Jennifer Forbes, a part-time contractor who formerly worked with the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG), as the candidate she sought to hire and said the contract rate is $75 per hour. \"This is not county funded with county funds,\" Bishop said. \"If I don't use these grant funds, I have to give them back to the state.\" Commissioners heard that the position would be funded through the end of the fiscal year (September 30) and that, as a part-time exempt position, it carries no county-paid benefits beyond required payroll taxes.

Commissioners asked whether SB 22 funds could be used to extend the hire beyond September 30; Bishop said she would reassess and look for other grant funding before requesting general fund support. Commissioner discussion covered routine budget and compensation committee procedures; county staff confirmed the money is budgeted in the DA's SB 22 line and that a budget adjustment would be needed to reassign specific line-items if approved.

Commissioner Andrew Wiesen made the motion to create the position; Commissioner Chapman seconded. The court voted 5-0 to approve the position. \"Motion carries 5 to 0,\" the court recorded.

The court also discussed how the position would coordinate with the future countywide grant coordinator and how the DA's office will transfer current grant responsibilities once the county hires its permanent grant coordinator.","The court voted unanimously to create a part-time criminal justice grant coordinator in the Criminal District Attorney's office funded by SB 22 (rural prosecutor salary assistance), to be paid from grant funds through the fiscal year end. The position will be part-time, contracted at $75 per hour and aimed at stabilizing existing criminal justice","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Kendall County votes to form 391 Subregional Planning Commission with Kerr County, 3-2

Dispute over countywide grant coordinator role surfaces as judge moves to hire former commissioner

Commissioners approve part-time criminal justice grant coordinator paid with SB 22 funds