[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6611008,"mediaKeyId","2900908-b0a23e2f9585f63075b4d37bf430bb4b","parentId",2900908,"title","Hays County to cover lost state COVID grants temporarily to retain health department staff","audioSeconds",4158,"startMs",3729000,"endMs",7887000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2900908-b0a23e2f9585f63075b4d37bf430bb4b&start=3729&end=7887","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2900908-b0a23e2f9585f63075b4d37bf430bb4b/thumbnail_3729000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6611008/Hays-County/Texas/Hays-County-to-cover-lost-state-COVID-grants-temporarily-to-retain-health-department-staff","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611008-b4932b74099b91075194a1b36e7d89ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436906&Signature=GkB-9g83H7kCvYSMF~BSPiurQ~bCZnN~IuHEhUMhU-6~IyqMBi-Xaq1MfnZ~QiBdULJ8JwlzKUEFbH1jjKpfUQecO7TpLOIqPMK3GMYe9TQjOarllcfUs4oUpdC5N57~aI7hKV5K5M9QgpMboTc2KG1rtWqdGyBjOd1S5mGKRNi8Njcv4I24JReJTlyMpBuJ9fhYd5n8iONwGfJC~JihZgmCm90PqXvCM0ns-KlFzzlV3ACISw7CJdje6YGlBdjsPu7-K3LZcYob~zj5dTHmWVjI-ubV1iNQCXvxpGPC~i-69dUwAPxdgnVbNV8U7Z8DcjH9BmVHJgqG8YygnaaY1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hays","date","2025-04-08T00:00:00Z","article","Hays County commissioners on April 8 agreed to temporarily fund key Hays County Health Department positions after the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) notified the county that two COVID-era grants would be cancelled effective March 24.

Health Department Director Matthew Gonzales told the court the cancellations affect an epidemiologist (Epi/ELC) position and two community outreach specialists funded through health-disparities grants. Gonzales said the grants’ termination leaves a shortfall for staff who perform disease investigations, immunizations, behavioral-health linkages and community outreach.

“Those positions were doing more than COVID work,” Gonzales said. “They expanded our capacity for case investigation, immunizations and community outreach that protect residents.” Gonzales said the termination letters were dated March 25 with an effective cancellation date of March 24.

Chief Budget Officer Jonathan Blanco presented local funding options the court could use to prevent immediate layoffs. Blanco said staff had identified salary savings within the health department operations and noted two discretionary county funds the court could use if needed: the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF), with approximately $80,000 available, and the county’s tobacco-settlement funds, about $130,000 available and currently unrestricted.

Gonzales said the department is also seeking to amend other active grants where permissible, pursuing federal and state funding alternatives and preparing a budget plan to avoid recurring reliance on one-time funds. He noted a temporary restraining order had been filed in related litigation over state grant cancellations but the county cannot rely solely on that outcome.

The court voted unanimously to authorize use of salary savings first and to tap LATCF and tobacco-settlement funds if necessary to preserve the positions while staff pursue alternative grant funding. Commissioners praised the health department’s expanded services since 2021 and said they were committed to maintaining local public-health capacity.

The public heard a related proclamation recognizing National Public Health Week and multiple local public-health students and health-department staff described recent public-health work, including immunizations, case investigations and community partnerships. Gonzales told the court the department processed more than 57,009 9-1-1-related calls and over 180,000 calls for service across fire, police and EMS in the fiscal year cited; he also cited recent counts for reportable disease investigations, immunization appointments and STD/HIV treatments.

The vote to authorize temporary county funding and budget amendments passed unanimously.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hays - Regular - Apr 08, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After the state terminated two COVID-related public-health grants effective March 24, commissioners agreed to use Local Assistance and Tobacco Settlement funds and salary savings to preserve positions including an epidemiologist and outreach specialists while county staff pursue alternative funding.","taxTitle","Hays County, Texas","taxId",9291,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6611014,"Hays County authorizes DWI and drug courts to expand specialty-court programs",35,7055000,7090000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2900908-b0a23e2f9585f63075b4d37bf430bb4b&start=7055&end=7090","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2900908-b0a23e2f9585f63075b4d37bf430bb4b/thumbnail_7055000.jpg","/articles/6611014/Hays-County/Texas/Hays-County-authorizes-DWI-and-drug-courts-to-expand-specialty-court-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611014-4271aef2a188aaf626face86e1f77598/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436906&Signature=LspRxxgUrIfTMH2Ut2jrNaUTudg3eCsVYUCfn0bzhTgpF5vvw4fhKVmW~oBtC2vUSFe5Shqe5Y3LrUTBy98NHbXrkOMaGv3Ru7X9PnpCTfNS3BH81XAUNuX~C3C1JyoNlnncgUbCg6FuMxbe4lrgVEK7165S-vIa3c1CuolOdOp90XoOG4myzAL-xgxP8KEAuwJtVfTEHiNfCuHV4mvsgWK~7wxmpSZD34c74Hipoe0~4oZuYU0OYFxtSIs4aKg7PVWC7jLk3jHSjG52Hm4snDMRFI0YMTFn065b7CTNVcvGGVuUfabrYiHHMC2TkkjPv-Cc25nkzY4um~eRdNtYJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hays County commissioners on April 8 adopted a resolution authorizing the creation of DWI and drug courts as specialty courts, with the programs expected to be operational by Dec. 1, 2025.

County Court at Law judge Jimmie El Hall presented the resolution and said specialty courts reduce recidivism, provide rehabilitation and save county money compared with incarceration. Matthew Hammonds, the county’s newly hired DWI and Drug Court facilitator, told the court the county’s estimated population of roughly 290,000 creates a statutory expectation for such programs and that the courts will position Hays County to receive state and federal grant funding once approved by the Office of Court Administration (OCA).

Hammonds said the county currently has about 260 active cases eligible for the program and more than 530 potentially eligible cases over the last three years. He described a pilot start date of Dec. 1 and said grant sources would include the Department of Justice, Texas Health and Human Services grants and the Criminal Justice Division at the Office of the Governor.

District Judge Alicia Keyes, who volunteered to oversee the felony-level portion of the program, said she has observed many defendants whose court involvement is driven by substance-use disorders rather than violent behavior. “They deserve therapeutic measures,” Keyes said.

District Attorney Kelly Higgins said the DA’s office supports the dockets and will review cases for suitability and provide office resources to the program. “Rather than treat every drug possession as a violent crime, these programs will be more humane and make better use of resources,” Higgins told the court.

Commissioner Inglesby and Judge Becerra were listed as sponsors of the agenda item. The court read the specialty-court resolution aloud and recorded a unanimous vote in favor.

The resolution authorizes the courts to apply for necessary approvals from the Office of Court Administration; staff and judges will finalize policies, procedures and the strategic plan required by OCA before grant applications and program launch.","The Commissioners Court adopted a resolution authorizing the establishment of DWI and drug court programs to expand treatment-focused alternatives to incarceration and to qualify the county for state and federal grant funding.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6611018,"Residents urge Hays County to contest Hays Commons development and TCEQ TLAP over Edwards recharge zone",454,263000,717000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2900908-b0a23e2f9585f63075b4d37bf430bb4b&start=263&end=717","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2900908-b0a23e2f9585f63075b4d37bf430bb4b/thumbnail_263000.jpg","/articles/6611018/Hays-County/Texas/Residents-urge-Hays-County-to-contest-Hays-Commons-development-and-TCEQ-TLAP-over-Edwards-recharge-zone","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611018-3d310e63cab03c7b07d03f53f40e718a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436906&Signature=jLKEzabeEDyIBz071JNIwmEBoCx~XDqFk5LwxnoY8g0Am6N1AbtVAyEujnzi3-np6V2Gt3Zn5Fiv8W1rNI3kvNl7SFw018mJXyJnfxb~G3Q44S0L1f0vhk4KXn-RDxJAh80Phj2YWEFdTBn6I5yEOzB1rTktL7NhR0n-04fk-c-85aBZUAMuYF275o5hsLChNWnV-h-HfgoU5-KUD8M4-rGe1vA8j6lJk28-mSZa6aJN7~t4Mtgs5sAUSWvROTGI7vaqJNoeTEwlpKaM1K~AA2NO17laRVcgFnFeq5wm6d1nXVEVHbY2Jr2VAKnvg51HN28Nz9UEyUls2KE7upynTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of residents and conservation advocates addressed the Hays County Commissioners Court on April 8 to ask the county to oppose a proposed Milestone development called Hays Commons and to contest a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) TLAP permit tied to the site.

Speakers asked the court to use its authority to protect recharge lands that feed the Edwards Aquifer and Barton Springs, to contest any permit that would allow spray-irrigation of treated effluent on the recharge zone, and to consider using county purchase or conservation dollars to protect the land permanently.

Jennifer Lindsey told the court the project site at 2955 Francis Harris Lane totals roughly 95.69 acres of farmland and includes century-old oak trees and York Creek; she said much of the lower half of the parcel falls in the floodplain and recharge areas. “We enjoy living in the country for the quiet mornings, the dark skies and the wildlife,” Lindsey said. “We are devastated by the prospect of industrial growth within our neighborhood.”

Carol Pennington read a letter from neighbors arguing the site lies on a very sensitive recharge area that feeds the Edwards Aquifer and ultimately Barton Springs. The letter said some water that falls on the land reaches Barton Springs in “3 to 5 days,” and warned that changes to surface cover and wastewater disposal could quickly affect groundwater quantity and quality in a much larger region of Central Texas.

Alana Beatty and others described potential contaminants from spray irrigation systems used with TLAP permits, noting spray-applied effluent can contain volatile organic compounds and pharmaceuticals; they argued the Karst limestone in the recharge area affords little natural filtration before water reaches the aquifer.

Speakers asked commissioners to:

- Contest any TCEQ TLAP permit on recharge lands;
- Work with conservation groups to acquire the land and place it into permanent protection, possibly via a bond like the 2020 Hays Park bond;
- Convene a citizen advisory panel as the county updates development regulations that affect critical recharge zones.

Pennington said she collected nearly 200 signatures from neighbors opposing the project and offered copies of the petition to the clerk.

Commissioners did not take formal action on the development at the April 8 meeting. Several members acknowledged the environmental concerns and said county staff would review the issues and potential options to contest permits or coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions. Commissioner Smith noted groundwater management and inter-jurisdictional coordination remain priorities as the county updates development rules.

Proper names cited during public comment included Milestone (developer), the Edwards Aquifer/Barton Springs recharge area, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), and local water providers including Aqua. Speakers said roughly 17 Aqua-operated community wells serve nearby neighborhoods and that over 100 private wells also serve local households; they emphasized the potential regional consequences if recharge lands are developed or used for spray irrigation of effluent.","Multiple residents told the Commissioners Court they oppose Milestone’s proposed ‘Hays Commons’ development and an associated Texas Commission on Environmental Quality TLAP permit, saying the site sits on Edwards recharge and risks water quality and quantity for Hays and downstream Travis County communities.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6611022,"Hays County creates Animal Welfare Services division, reconstitutes Pet Resource Center committee",1155,8956000,10111000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2900908-b0a23e2f9585f63075b4d37bf430bb4b&start=8956&end=10111","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2900908-b0a23e2f9585f63075b4d37bf430bb4b/thumbnail_8956000.jpg","/articles/6611022/Hays-County/Texas/Hays-County-creates-Animal-Welfare-Services-division-reconstitutes-Pet-Resource-Center-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611022-39302e4e3f6c99fbbcc33154feb06f96/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436906&Signature=fRPmTIwcSbiAkAVx9CSSduRauUAhvMK1azurUoj0On7-otMi1gBUss8OYamVla2lyzugahr~1k5OpgR0LfWvGGuCqY-gB2MOXga765eNX-8BzhB6wn7BP5aQ3shDvN68Jcr7L2AgmG-UqhSHACjKjwyHpbSLU1OzW80Z3F2mvDIsVJJoIX4nTIb6Fxr8oe0G40jHFkfEsk1efOei5tqKQKbDQMqKNP9N7Y1PZ4Knbdy4G86GgAunx4fiI0mw97Dc1IgEQCurpHVm3kC3IwKb5vxRlxaDuZIeqIcJ1NuM2E5O5iSkFYt2Cj5RWBsIIIKxyzFS2LhPnRdeiZGLcc9Uqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hays County commissioners on April 8 voted unanimously to create an Animal Welfare Services division within the Hays County Health Department, authorize initial staffing and reconstitute a county Pet Resource Center committee to negotiate partners and siting for a regional pet resource center.

The move follows the termination of an outside contract that had been providing several animal-services functions and months of public comment pressing the county for an organized, county-led approach. Commissioner Smith said the new division will “provide roots” for a coordinated county response and give the county “oversight” when negotiating with nonprofit and municipal partners.

Matthew Gonzales, director of the Hays County Health Department, told the court the county can use existing contract dollars more efficiently by moving services in-house. Gonzales said the proposed start-up would hire a division manager, case-management staff and client-facing services such as a call center, and that the county’s projected monthly cost would be slightly less than the month-to-month invoices under the prior contractor, leaving room to purchase additional contractual veterinary services if needed.

“This proposal relies on continued partnership with APA, PALS and other local pet resources,” Gonzales said. “Everyone brings different strengths; a county coordinator will organize that work and reduce duplication.”

Several commissioners emphasized partnership rather than building a standalone county shelter. Judge Becerra and Commissioner Hammer urged the county to pursue partnerships with cities and existing nonprofits and to explore expanding municipal capacity instead of immediately funding a new county facility.

Public commenters and animal-welfare advocates who spoke at the meeting urged a rapid transition from the contractor model. Kate Shaw, who volunteers with local animal-welfare groups, said she supports creating an in-house division “that follows best practices” and pairs community-minded programming with a pet resource center.

The court also took two committee actions tied to the pet-resource effort: it designated Commissioners Cohen and Inglesby to negotiate with the city of Kyle on a potential joint approach and reconstituted the Pet Resource Center Committee to include Commissioners Cohen and Inglesby, purchasing director Stephanie Hunt and the new county manager for animal welfare once hired. The motion to reconstitute the committee further named Matthew Gonzales as the interim county representative until the manager is in place. All votes on these items were unanimous.

Judge Becerra cautioned that, given market volatility and debt discussions elsewhere in the meeting, the court should prioritize partnerships and avoid an expensive new build unless it proved necessary. Several commissioners agreed, saying the county should “leave no stone unturned” when evaluating city-owned sites and nonprofit partners.

The court directed staff to prepare a staffing plan, draft an eligibility-based service model for residents who need veterinary care, and begin negotiating contracts with veterinary providers and local partners. Commissioners also asked staff to accelerate work on countywide animal-control policies to ensure municipalities and county deputies operate from a shared framework.

The court recorded the motions by roll call. The items passed with all five members voting yes.","The Commissioners Court voted to create a county Animal Welfare Services division inside the Hays County Health Department, authorize staffing and reconstitute a Pet Resource Center committee to negotiate options with cities and partners after the county’s contractor stopped services.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hays County to cover lost state COVID grants temporarily to retain health department staff

Hays County authorizes DWI and drug courts to expand specialty-court programs

Residents urge Hays County to contest Hays Commons development and TCEQ TLAP over Edwards recharge zone

Hays County creates Animal Welfare Services division, reconstitutes Pet Resource Center committee