[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6175417,"mediaKeyId","5356794-fb28e6a3b5b069c38f39fbc3aff02eea","parentId",5356794,"title","Hill Country Fire Coalition asks Kendall County for $88,000 cost share for federal wildfire‑defense grant","audioSeconds",379,"startMs",3625000,"endMs",4004000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5356794-fb28e6a3b5b069c38f39fbc3aff02eea&start=3625&end=4004","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5356794-fb28e6a3b5b069c38f39fbc3aff02eea/thumbnail_3625000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6175417/Kendall-County/Texas/Hill-Country-Fire-Coalition-asks-Kendall-County-for-88000-cost-share-for-federal-wildfiredefense-grant","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6175417-206ebc981cc6aa6a6a23e31fb724c37a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775029061&Signature=KSCBiDAnGiuzvQgm6xgaum8qx80AVW7kQLMh0UntL4mTvn~dkB4vRyqv~9VjAerfiQUSM0D1OKGulWK-uoE5PqKz2dmRJyR4XiLb~49wYSr~EvTK1NJ-gvaJqv0NyLfnQW~KfQixa6qcLtQm5QnZreHYfDlmKlnqnn4Vr2wXxy0AZ4l7T3gsy0Sd9Qt6GD3dc6oBaCVkqOcgO11Oww23cNqwj0KW2D6xtyG5f8rmZkElp4bBfWDGR2oxkDPi5L7lsHcWT073x2B2bueKUV2bbYUVI~7JmVNS-kVaOpHcBym14qfllFQgKwucUqd2NubvUM4ksYTSazTLKYGeJCMPNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kendall County","date","2025-07-09T19:56:30Z","article","Representatives of the Hill Country Fire Coalition asked Kendall County commissioners on July 9 to allocate $88,000 as a local cost share to support a federal Community Wildfire Defense Grant application that would expand fuels‑reduction work and build local woody‑biomass processing capacity.

Christy (Hill Country Fire Coalition) told the court the coalition applied for a federal grant that lists total project costs of between $1.5 million and $2.2 million, depending on whether the proposal includes purchase of a grinder/shredder for woody biomass. The federal program requires a local match (25% of total project cost as presented), and the coalition requested that Kendall County cover the county’s share for year‑one activities while the coalition pursues additional fundraising and in‑kind matches.

Coalition representatives said the proposed grant would fund four program areas: property risk assessments, roadside defensible‑space work, community outreach/education, and state‑level advocacy/coordination. A grinder/shredder to convert woody debris into material for biochar or local reuse was central to the coalition’s lower‑cost plan; if the USDA/USFS (or grant program administrators) require per‑ton disposal rather than equipment purchase, the total project cost and the local match would rise. The coalition said it had applied in March and expected federal decisions later in the year.

Christy explained coalition bookkeeping is basic (spreadsheet) at present and offered to move to a more formal accounting system if the county requires grant reporting formats. She also noted the coalition expects to track volunteer/partner in‑kind hours and to seek additional nonfederal grants to lower the county’s net cash obligation.

Commissioners asked for detail on the timeline, on how the five‑year project would be budgeted, and how volunteer/in‑kind match would be calculated; coalition staff said federal guidance allows use of higher of federal or state volunteer‑rate tables and that they would supply further documentation. Commissioners also asked staff to confirm the county budget line where $88,000 could be shown if the court elects to commit to the cost share; county budget staff noted the amount was placed in the judge’s draft contingency line for the Hill Country Fire Coalition (line 1040156591).

There was no final vote at the workshop; the coalition asked that the court leave current allocations intact while they pursue the federal award and additional fundraising. If the county later confirms a cash match, staff said the county’s obligation would be shown in the appropriate fiscal year budget and would be subject to the usual appropriation and procurement requirements.

Coalition representatives emphasized the prevention‑first rationale, said they would pursue a cost‑share waiver for work inside lower‑income census tracts where applicable, and asked the court to consider the longer‑term insurance, preparedness and wildfire‑risk benefits of the proposal.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Commissioners Court Special Call Meeting Budget Workshop July 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Representatives of the Hill Country Fire Coalition told Kendall County commissioners they applied for a Community Wildfire Defense Grant and requested the county provide a roughly $88,000 cost share in FY2026 to support a multi‑year program focused on roadside defensible space, community outreach and woody biomass processing.","taxTitle","Kendall County, Texas","taxId",63803,"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},6175421,"Kendall County boosts EMS training budget, keeps 48/96 schedule and opens review of medical director",1206,1226000,2432000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5356794-fb28e6a3b5b069c38f39fbc3aff02eea&start=1226&end=2432","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5356794-fb28e6a3b5b069c38f39fbc3aff02eea/thumbnail_1226000.jpg","/articles/6175421/Kendall-County/Texas/Kendall-County-boosts-EMS-training-budget-keeps-4896-schedule-and-opens-review-of-medical-director","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6175421-42dbc26ad8a8b06fba7ab4caab0a8655/orig.mp4?Expires=1775029061&Signature=I04Yr~EZjxMQfP3d3IVlq0bn9t52Vt58EzPi-NoqZSxvF4lKbhdgOLvf9nS27kg94r3Pdl7tf8C7bYfSApeuY-hd2tlTg4wINjB~6PGCqA5HJEpZYRn57bCaEgBviRgv0VaS8AnnXe1~3CK~OTLQgYyNiTAFKlNoWNgAFWsIYUjjd3jZXVSUw9NtgJhJp3ZzHfDhWOQKFCKpFGZ-jrd9Hh17q1ZF5y4DusFgtAfkQqM4TSGJIKEQTVPc7TiRMfzQ1ctsF8VgReNQCij2Z7y4C3cWVtGK93ot8xtqF3fiRxOgy9iGIkStbv3RDOA5Fgcx5CkqZXqUI6fguqn50FMh7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kendall County commissioners and staff moved during a July 9 budget workshop to increase funding for emergency medical services (EMS) training, keep the existing 48/96 shift schedule, include a second‑in‑command position in the proposed FY2026 budget, and initiate a review of the county’s medical‑direction arrangements.

The actions followed a detailed presentation by Brian Webb, Kendall County EMS administrator, who asked the court to raise EMS training from $10,000 to $30,000 to allow advanced training such as cadaver labs, active‑shooter medical response courses and updated continuing education. Webb said the additional training “not only benefits them, but also benefits our citizens because our guys are gonna be trained on new and more skills.” County budget staff confirmed the change was reflected in the current draft.

During a wide-ranging discussion, Webb outlined legislative and funding developments that could affect EMS operations: House Bill 3000 (funding that may provide up to $350,000 per county to support ambulance/staffing costs under rules yet to be clarified by the comptroller), House Bill 742 (new human‑trafficking training requirements for first responders) and House Bill 1105 (state tuition support for paramedic education). Corinna (county auditor/budget officer) said the court had not yet included any HB3000 revenue in the general fund because program details and disbursement timing were unclear.

On operational staffing, commissioners reviewed a previously proposed shift‑change plan that would have moved staff from the 48/96 schedule; after hearing employee feedback and staff recommendations, the court agreed to pause those changes and to keep the 48/96 schedule in the proposed budget. Commissioners said morale had improved after the pause. At the same meeting the court agreed to include funding for an EMS “second in command” (salary line cited at about $81,840) in the judge’s draft budget but asked that filling that position follow an interview/hiring process and come back to commissioners’ court for final approval. The court’s staff noted the position would not be filled until after budget adoption (not effective until Oct. 1 unless the court directs otherwise).

The meeting also featured an extended discussion about the county’s medical director, Dr. (first name) Sysco, who has provided medical direction for Kendall County EMS for more than two decades. Several volunteer fire departments and some EMS personnel raised concerns about the scope of delegated protocols and about whether the county’s medical‑direction arrangement provides enough depth of backup and broader participation in regional medical‑director discussions. Commissioners debated options including (a) inviting Dr. Sysco to explain his practices and participation in regional medical‑director meetings; (b) commissioning a qualifications‑based request for qualifications (RFQ) for medical‑director services; or (c) retaining the current arrangement with better formal documentation and expectations.

The court did not replace the medical director at the workshop. Instead commissioners instructed staff to schedule an executive‑session discussion (target: July 28) that would include Dr. Sysco and volunteer first responders who raised concerns; they also asked legal counsel to review the county’s current contract with the medical director and to advise on whether a public RFQ would be appropriate. Several commissioners emphasized a preference to speak directly with Dr. Sysco before beginning a formal procurement process; others supported issuing an RFQ so the county could compare qualifications and pricing.

Other EMS items discussed: Webb said the department expects about $1.65 million in ambulance collections next fiscal year based on current trends and proposed a move from itemized to flat billing to stabilize revenues. He also requested $21,212 (approx.) for portable pulse oximeters/CO2 detectors to replace aging units, and asked that quotes be provided to county budgeting staff for potential HB3000 grant use if the program’s rules allow. On data/software, commissioners discussed returning ImageTrend (the patient-care reporting system) to a county umbrella license to avoid per‑run charges and to simplify cross‑agency data sharing; staff said they would follow up with pricing and contract terms.

Commissioners directed that the second‑in‑command remain in the budget package and that hiring follow an interview committee and final court approval. The medical‑director issue was scheduled for further review; the court did not take a final procurement action at the workshop.","At a July 9 budget workshop, Kendall County officials agreed to increase EMS training funds, retain the 48/96 shift schedule, include funding for a deputy/second‑in‑command in next year’s budget, and begin a formal review of the county EMS medical director role after concerns from volunteer first‑responders.",{"_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},6175425,"Kendall County to Defund Court Translator Position; office to keep job on paper",397,395000,792000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5356794-fb28e6a3b5b069c38f39fbc3aff02eea&start=395&end=792","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5356794-fb28e6a3b5b069c38f39fbc3aff02eea/thumbnail_395000.jpg","/articles/6175425/Kendall-County/Texas/Kendall-County-to-Defund-Court-Translator-Position-office-to-keep-job-on-paper","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6175425-5f6ddb9a47597962b5838ae98bea2450/orig.mp4?Expires=1775029061&Signature=J-4XwaaTmVOefz4jYPV1aTeJNaAfThwEG1sz0GUVH0JOZsEa1vQZKTCciKPdXCUBtiQN~vKYx7l4rdr10U5nx6Nu~DUi8LxaVYJbqqCP1id7HcleqyTOejaM2aZWjIseDnxbqcNPRsxX5T0L3PzhSIt9Yhu5d2SRwmuNBRMVeiQCXSEgYnQ3rDSJ2JEvxcoVKO529DXWkhkSy6kah5BgaJAI3JC2vgjlXq47HgI~JvVJxjbvNTE-YIGrAEqehMgfSmzp7OWR3Jfmg3MjngFFK~M-IBTl8Tq46txS3TVyaXdcMAtdg4gm8CzROLvyKIHVapl0SaW7EvWIxhbncaetWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County Judge (presiding) proposed that the court remove funding for the translator position in the county judge's office, placing a $0 allocation on the line beginning Oct. 1 to bring the budget closer to balance.

The proposal matters because the translator position had been intended to provide court translation, notary duties and PBX backup. Court staff said the translator role had not fulfilled the original expectation of providing certified court translation and instead became a catchall administrative/notary position. The current staffing situation reportedly leaves the translator slot vacant, and the judge said defunding the position would not result in an immediate layoff.

During the discussion, County Judge said eliminating funding for the position would help “get us back to a balanced budget.” Corinna (county auditor/budget staff) explained the translator role’s history and that judicial budgets continue to include funds for outside translators; she described the in‑house position as having evolved into a notary/administrative backup. Corinna said the county could use automated phone backup for the PBX role and combine duties once the current PBX operator retires.

Acting General Counsel Nicole Bishop (acting legal counsel) clarified process questions: placing $0 in the budget means the county is “defunding” the position (no salary dollars budgeted) but the line and job remain on the salary schedule unless the court votes to eliminate the position entirely. Commissioners discussed keeping the job description on file and re‑establishing funding later if needed; one commissioner asked that any future re‑creation follow regular hiring and job‑description review procedures.

Clarifying details provided in the meeting: the translator slot had no incumbent at the time of the workshop (the last person in the post had moved to another county position), so commissioners emphasized the decision would not terminate an employee. County staff proposed moving the translator duties into an administrative/PBX operator role once Arlene (PBX operator) retires, consolidating services to save costs. The court did not take a formal recorded vote during the workshop; the budget direction recorded was to set the translator line to $0 starting Oct. 1 and to keep the position on the books until the court chooses to remove it permanently.

Officials said a formal elimination (removing the job from the salary scale) would require a separate court action. Commissioners asked that, if the county later seeks to fund a similar administrative role, the job description be rewritten and routed through the salary committee/hiring procedures to ensure clarity about duties and reporting.

The judge asked staff to reflect the $0 allocation in the next draft of the budget and to list the position among items to be reconsidered if circumstances change before final adoption.","Kendall County judges and commissioners agreed during a July 9 budget workshop to remove funding for the county court translator position starting Oct. 1 while leaving the job on the salary schedule, a step officials said will help close a budget gap without terminating any current employee.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hill Country Fire Coalition asks Kendall County for $88,000 cost share for federal wildfire‑defense grant

Kendall County boosts EMS training budget, keeps 48/96 schedule and opens review of medical director

Kendall County to Defund Court Translator Position; office to keep job on paper