The Hays County Commissioners Court agenda is full today as the court will take time to issue several proclamations, initiate American Rescue Plan Act funding for some county organizations and then address payroll matters in connection to the responsibilities of County Treasurer Daphne Tenorio as the mandate for who handles payroll was shifted from her office to the county’s Budget Office.
According to the court’s published agenda, commissioners are ready to recognize July as Parks and Recreation Month and the month of June as both LGBTQIA+ Pride Month and Children’s Awareness Month. The court will adopt a proclamation recognizing the dedication of a Texas State Historical Subject Marker for Cuauhtémoc Hall.
Two agenda items will address payroll errors as Hays County Budget Officer Vickie Dorsett has requested the court implement a payroll reduction authorization process for overpayments to county employees. The budget office stated it has identified various employees that were overpaid and would like the court to implement a salary reduction authorization process for repayment so that it will not create hardship for employees.
According to information in the agenda, the county treasurer did not fund employee–deferred compensation accounts for the April 15, April 30 and May 15 pay periods. The court will discuss and consider authorizing Dorsett to work with VALIC Financial Advisors on a “make-whole” contribution process. The county will need to submit a formal make-whole request along with 10% of missed contributions in order to fund any losses, but the portion of that 10% that is not needed will be returned to the county. There will also be a $100 an hour fee charged to the county pending any action taken by the court Tuesday.
The court could allocate American Rescue Plan Act funds to several organizations. Dripping Springs Water Supply Corporation is requesting $50,000 for lost funds; the Buda VFW Post 12161 is requesting $21,203; the American Legion Post 290 in Dripping Springs is requesting $5,605; the Driftwood Historical Conservation Society is requesting $22,560; and the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce is requesting $100,000.
The court will consider accepting a grant award of $175,957 to assist with costs of the Fair Defense Act which can be used for investigator expenses, attorney fees and expert witness expenses incurred by the county on criminal indigent cases. The court could accept $350,000 from the Texas Department of Agriculture– Texas Community Development Block Grant for continued improvements to the Cedar Oaks Mesa Waterline. The court could accept a $300,000 grant award from the Veterans Treatment Court Grant Program of the Texas Veterans Commission, to fund two staff members and client services provided by the Veterans Treatment Court.
