Commissioners push back on upping grant- funded sta positions due to funding gaps
Attorney General Paxton won’t testify in impeachment trial
TRACKING POSITIONS
As of June, there were 50 total grant-funded positions at the county level in Williamson County in a variety of departments.
BY CHLOE YOUNG
the August budget approval. Williamson County had 50 grant- funded positions as of June 14, most commonly funded through state aid and the American Rescue Plan Act. The action taken: The court approved a measure to fund 50% of the salary for the program case manager at County Court at Law No. 2. Funding for two Williamson County Veterans Treatment Court and DWI/Drug Court positions was also approved for when state funding is no longer available, totaling $181,023. The county also approved putting $115,808 toward the salary for the county’s adult sexual assault prosecu- tor but denied a partially grant-funded detective position for the Heart of Texas Auto Theft Task Force. Moving forward: Amid the debate, commissioners agreed they should take steps to evaluate grants.
Some Williamson County Com- missioners Court members have expressed concerns about using grants to create and ll county sta positions. While grant-funded positions are often created when they have been fully funded by local, state and federal grants, county departments have looked to the court to continue funding those positions once those grants decrease in funding or expire, County Judge Bill Gravell said. The update: At meetings June 13 and 27, several county departments requested the court approve county dollars for grant-funded positions in need of additional funding. Some positions had not received enough grant money to continue or were waiting on the renewal or approval of future grants. Williamson County entities had until July 1 to request funding ahead of
BY HANNAH NORTON
Join Us for a BBQ Benefit Supporting the Leander Police & Fire Friday, July 14th 2:00 5:00pm • Touch A Truck Suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton will not testify in front of the Texas Senate during his upcoming impeachment trial, his lead defense lawyer said. In a July 3 statement, lawyer Tony Buzbee called the 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton “merit- less and absurd,” arguing that Texas House leaders “ignored precedent” and are now attempting to “ambush him on the oor of the Senate.” House lawmakers voted to impeach the third-term Republican on May 27, immediately suspending him from oce without pay. Paxton’s decision challenges the rules governing the trial, which senators adopted June 21. A resolution requires Paxton and his legal defense team to be present for the start of the trial by 9 a.m. Sept. 5.
Juvenile department: 32 District attorney positions: 4 County attorney positions: 4 Sheri/jail positions: 3 District court positions: 2 County court at law positions: 2
District clerk positions: 1
Commissioners Court positions: 1
Animal shelter positions: 1
SOURCE: WILLIAMSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT COMMUNITY IMPACT
Friday, August 11th • 1:00 3:00pm Get a head start on your fall wardrobe and discover select items from Chico’s®. Aerwards, enjoy a trunk show and shopping as you snack on tea sandwiches and sip on your choice of sparkling rosé or white strawberry marnis. VERENA AT LEANDER IS BRINGING THE RUNWAY TO YOU! Fits that Flatter Fashionista Extravaganza FEATURING CHICO’S AND ACCESSORIES BY KENDRA SCOTT JEWELRY
• Live Music • Fundraiser
Kindly RSVP for you and a friend to 512 591 5121.
INDEPENDENT SENIOR LIVING 11350 Hero Way West Leander, TX 78641 www.VerenaAtLeander.com
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GEORGETOWN EDITION • JULY 2023
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