The Bell County Commissioner’s Court convened on November 4, 2024, to discuss several key agenda items, including a resolution for a veterans assistance grant application. The court considered a resolution to authorize the submission of a $400,000 grant application for the 2025-2026 funding cycle to the Texas Veterans Commission, with no required funding match from the county.

Commissioner Wichen moved to approve the resolution, which was seconded by Commissioner Schuman. County staff member Kylie provided an overview of the grant, noting a significant change from previous discussions. Initially, the grant was intended to include funding for mental health counseling and therapeutic services; however, these options are not available under the current grant guidelines. Consequently, the budget will be reallocated to focus on housing and utility assistance.

The grant application is due on November 12, with the funding period set from July 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026. This grant will support various expenses for veterans and their surviving spouses, including housing, utilities, funeral expenses, transportation, and community connectivity services.

Kylie also mentioned that the grant would fund a secretary position for the Veterans Service Office (VSO), which is crucial for managing the administrative workload associated with the grant. The position will be funded through the grant, with an estimated cost of around $51,000 over the 14-month period, including benefits.

The court discussed the importance of meeting specific metrics to qualify for future funding rounds, with results expected around March or April of 2026. The meeting concluded with no further questions, and the court moved forward with the approval process for the grant application.