[{"_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",6493336,"mediaKeyId","5605823-f22ebc61af3cd0e0293bb0503c3ba7f9","parentId",5605823,"title","Guadalupe County commissioners pledge added, short-term funding for volunteer fire departments amid larger budget debate","audioSeconds",4410,"startMs",404000,"endMs",4814000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5605823-f22ebc61af3cd0e0293bb0503c3ba7f9&start=404&end=4814","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5605823-f22ebc61af3cd0e0293bb0503c3ba7f9/thumbnail_404000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6493336/Guadalupe-County/Texas/Guadalupe-County-commissioners-pledge-added-short-term-funding-for-volunteer-fire-departments-amid-larger-budget-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493336-17e7384fa0c308a9b9e7d7e1c476ad85/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160100&Signature=QXkuptO9uFSkJ6f-ANfR3SKTeLTI9qQDpN0Pk~JXXrNJ6i5nVHTLNXUmkaARxRMh4U90U8bGaEVGWZ8o~JLi662Au3-iBvO6mRWqUmuSgti4zgh6lXzhmvdgAJhF2r0UkJobohML6SdM9X9LIqiSuYzeP4izZrTUsCkXErt0Y3fvrwnQL5GAFx3W239IYuCY-5BiyTSuu-cogwaFuJX1HKv0QGZrWuN881LsSeBsBODdN4dmB4ty7a3ItcbSEFP1CwgnFBbPYYzPpEsIX160djPOHd6~BG7FbjZIcgez1k5L6on1~7HwP~otHSei4~i2U1crrIkRneUFPiSIVHfHJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Guadalupe County Texas","date","2025-08-19T10:01:00Z","article","Guadalupe County commissioners on Aug. 19 agreed by consensus to move additional one-time funding into a consolidated line for volunteer fire departments and left the court’s proposed operational allocations for each department unchanged, after multiple residents and chiefs urged immediate help for aging trucks, radios and breathing apparatus.

The decision followed more than two hours of public comment and a lengthy commissioners-court discussion centered on ballooning call volumes in fast-growing areas and on a list of immediate equipment and repair needs submitted by several volunteer departments. Commissioners said they intend to use an internal capital line — previously reserved for building purchases — to finance the supplemental support while staff finalize contracts and distribution details.

Why it matters: Volunteer fire departments provide primary response in much of the county’s rural and fast‑growing areas. Chiefs and residents warned that delays in funding could lengthen response times or force apparatus out of service. Commissioners framed the move as a stopgap measure while the county plans a gradual expansion of its paid Guadalupe County Fire & Rescue (GCFR) program and explores procurement efficiencies.

Details of the consensus and context

Residents and volunteers filled the courtroom. Several speakers told the court their lives had been saved or homes protected by local volunteers. Robin Walker described a 2020 cardiac response where fast local action was life‑saving; Lake Dunlap Fire Chief Tyler Townsend and New Berlin representatives outlined specific capital needs including engine repairs, tires, radios and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) nearing end of service life.

Commissioner comments emphasized two themes: (1) the county must support volunteers now because response in many places is driven by geography and traffic, and (2) the county should seek economies of scale when replacing equipment (buying hoses, radios, tires, etc., through county procurement rather than by individual departments) to reduce cost.

What the court agreed to do

- Keep the judge’s recommended FY2025–26 operational allocations for each volunteer department in place as the baseline. The judge’s proposed budget increases those baseline amounts compared with the prior year.
- Reallocate an approximately $500,000 amount from a capital/building line to a consolidated “volunteer fire department” line in the general fund, to be distributed under contract after the county’s purchasing and contract review. County staff were directed to draft or adjust contracts and bring allocation details back to the court for adoption on the regular schedule.

The court framed this as an interim step; commissioners repeatedly said the county needs a long‑range plan for fire protection that balances volunteer operations, municipal contracts and the build‑out of paid county resources (GCFR).

Discussion points commissioners asked staff to pursue

- Pooling purchases for common consumables (tires, hoses, SCBA packs, radios) to gain volume discounts.
- Prioritizing one‑time critical repairs and compliance items (for example, SCBA replacement dates) versus recurring operating support.
- Structuring one‑time funding as a separate contract/grant so the court and public can track the expenditures distinct from recurring baseline funding.

What was not decided

Commissioners did not change the adopted proposed tax rate or formally adopt the budget allocation in open vote at the time of the discussion; they directed staff to prepare contract language and return with the exact line‑item transfers and contract terms prior to final budget adoption on Sept. 2, 2025. The court also did not convert volunteer operations to paid staff in this meeting — that long‑term policy decision remains under study.

Voices quoted

\"They saved my life,\" said Robin Walker, referring to a McQueeney volunteer unit. \"If they hadn't had the right equipment, good tires on their trucks, it could have been a different story.\"

Lake Dunlap Fire Chief Tyler Townsend urged the court to pursue grants but warned: \"We can't wait until next year to see if a FEMA grant comes through — some of this equipment is out of compliance now.\"

Ending

Commissioners said they will return on Sept. 2 with contract language and precise transfers so the court can adopt final budget amendments and sign individual department contracts before distributions begin. Meanwhile, commissioners encouraged continued cooperation among volunteer chiefs, county fire rescue staff and county procurement to align short‑term purchases with a multi‑year transition plan.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Guadalupe County Texas - Commissioners Court","oneSentenceSummary","Guadalupe County commissioners on Aug. 19 agreed by consensus to move additional one-time funding into a consolidated volunteer fire department account while keeping each department’s proposed operational allocations in the proposed FY2025–26 budget.","taxTitle","Guadalupe County, Texas","taxId",20432,"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},6493321,"Votes at a glance: Guadalupe County Commissioners Court, Aug. 19, 2025",256,1698000,1954000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5605823-f22ebc61af3cd0e0293bb0503c3ba7f9&start=1698&end=1954","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5605823-f22ebc61af3cd0e0293bb0503c3ba7f9/thumbnail_1698000.jpg","/articles/6493321/Guadalupe-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Guadalupe-County-Commissioners-Court-Aug-19-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493321-aef52861ece25992c822d5ac20a89767/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160100&Signature=PVNFiNL1ZWnb4sddwa2S216cTGndKwjEDlBikjQcgNZxbl1uHf4HBn4K~CuN92GdMpIRQIV98b6~oJb8~KypKtrdFk5hk0tq3H4P0zHEc-qbTLpRLzRAWzooWnvKyolLgCYtfxPG1FfStQS8jYiZiAbfkyD5HCtJWknu9v2xyn2mxIUQFoj~SDRz325bYWZ214ACJWyBmVQa-bmZ4Z7cDG2cGVzQGMhFzsvZQPVTlwNRuR90gkrFBzoei-tqnvp0qp-NeIyUUUUXNFVzyaNeHeTnid1gGm8ILKBbm-aGiJdOKQh7luX0wGcsv5O6UDKUFzjgNYizER6BhAxumbMeKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Guadalupe County Commissioners Court on Aug. 19 approved a slate of consent items and contracts and took several formal votes summarized below.

What the court voted on and outcomes

- Consent agenda (Items A–K): The court approved consent items A through K, which included bills and registers, monthly auditor and treasurer reports for June 2025, an excavation permit, bond increases pursuant to Senate Bill 387, a resolution updating authorized signatories for a GLO CDBG‑Mitigation contract, a contract extension for moving services (RFP 24‑20), and a memorandum of understanding for e‑recording with Granicus/ValueCheck. Motion made and seconded; the court recorded no opposition and approved the consent agenda.

- Action Item A — Interlocal agreement for indigent health care: The court approved the annual tri‑party interlocal agreement among Guadalupe Regional Medical Center (GRMC), Guadalupe County and the City of Seguin to administer indigent health care for the 2025–26 period. GRMC representatives explained the program’s operation under Chapter 261 of the Texas Health and Safety Code and the hospital’s role in application intake and eligibility determination. Motion made and seconded; vote recorded with no opposition.

- Action Item B — Amendment to Cordova Road interlocal agreement with City of Seguin: The court approved an amendment adjusting the payment schedule and funding approach for Cordova Road reconstruction. The county and city share the 20% local match of a federally funded construction estimate of roughly $32 million; the MPO will provide 80% of construction funding. Motion made and seconded; approved with no recorded opposition.

- Action Item C — Record proposed FY2025–26 budget: The court recorded the proposed budget with the county clerk as required; the document will remain available for public review and is subject to revision prior to final adoption on Sept. 2, 2025. Motion made and seconded; approved with no recorded opposition.

- Action Item E — Contract with Level 5 Architecture PLLC (RFQ 25‑14) for animal control facility A/E services: The court approved the negotiated contract to conduct feasibility and design work. Motion made and seconded; approved.

- Action Item F — Contract with Freeland Turk Engineering Group LLC (RFQ 25‑15) for hydrologic and hydraulic analysis: The court approved a one‑year on‑call contract for hydrologic and hydraulic services with up to four annual renewal options. Motion made and seconded; approved.

Other formal steps

- Motion to adjourn: The court approved adjournment at 1:59 p.m.

Notes on votes

The meeting transcript records motions and seconds for the actions above and shows the court approving measures with no vocal opposition recorded on the transcript. Individual yes/no tallies were not separately enumerated in the public record; the court used standard voice votes (\"aye/aye\") and the clerk announced approval.

","Summary of formal motions, approvals and contract awards taken by the court, including consent items and contracts for elections, infrastructure, animal control and hydrologic services.",{"_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},6493326,"Commissioners hire Level 5 Architecture to study animal control facility options; discussion emphasizes service model as much as building",1235,11040000,12275000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5605823-f22ebc61af3cd0e0293bb0503c3ba7f9&start=11040&end=12275","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5605823-f22ebc61af3cd0e0293bb0503c3ba7f9/thumbnail_11040000.jpg","/articles/6493326/Guadalupe-County/Texas/Commissioners-hire-Level-5-Architecture-to-study-animal-control-facility-options-discussion-emphasizes-service-model-as-much-as-building","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493326-bc53dc86f02c27d8ceaead51b39a1928/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160100&Signature=cu-Uuyxg2Lqkzzs4ZezEBuhfdNVGzSqlAqCS2VIglhXuUk8ec2uduTVfkTSKXjAZEyuNG3U~0n7Mjop6s4eCcyxWc8bN-eHp2ccKKk70jIG4TrYvskPOmHzV5eCvmdTx2QUc~TTwibORmzQk9fHnwZMh-UAn~R~70u4IMwSUEk1Auf5b0y5DUxmeax9LNqTLlzm~imsps9iBxn9hcFJIshpOYAzc0kWukQLaiR7D0X7DgDxO8ZyP3wwO08yIBkoxV4B2eyb194MB59KAG7oiVcmbkRXX6TyZBl9c~XO32H~MU34ikDtMoiZ-zckfakkoYPL~juEgZgK1x1wJZchLKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Guadalupe County Commissioners Court on Aug. 19 authorized a contract with Level 5 Architecture to provide architectural and engineering services for the county’s animal control facility project, but commissioners stressed that the decision to hire an architect does not commit the county to any single scope or price.

Why it matters: Animal control services drew repeated public comment and internal attention during the budget process. County officials said the current shelter lacks adequate staff space, volunteer work areas and consistent veterinary contractor access; commissioners said they intend to evaluate multiple facility and service models before selecting a preferred plan.

What the court approved

The purchasing office had negotiated a contract with Level 5 Architecture; the court’s vote authorizes the negotiated scope for architectural and engineering services. Architect Justin Gilmore presented the team and outlined project objectives. Court members emphasized they want options and cost comparisons: smaller remodel plus operational changes, modest expansion reusing the existing building, and full replacement. Commissioner Engelke said the $3 million figure discussed in workshops is an upper ceiling for planning purposes, not a final commitment.

Alternatives discussed in court

- Contracted services/partnerships: Several jurisdictions nearby use nonprofit humane‑society partners or regional contractors for intake and adoption services; judges and commissioners visited nearby programs and asked staff to explore whether a public‑private partnership might reduce capital needs.
- Phased or modest renovations: Commissioners asked architects to present lower‑cost remodel options (reused shell, more efficient kennel layouts and modular vet trailers) as well as larger new‑building alternatives.
- Operational upgrades: The court emphasized non‑capital fixes such as stronger volunteer coordination, better outreach to rescue groups and scheduling of mobile spay/neuter services.

What was not decided

There was no final determination of square footage, price per square foot or whether the county will build a fully new facility. Commissioner comments made clear they would reject proposals that escalate cost per square foot beyond conservative thresholds and that they expect options at multiple price points. The court approved the architectural contract and instructed staff to work with the architect and stakeholders to return with formal designs and cost options.

Ending

Contract approval allows the architect to begin feasibility work and bring multiple designs and budgets back to the court. Commissioners asked staff and the architect to present realistic, staged options that the court can consider alongside the county’s other capital priorities.","The court approved a contract with Level 5 Architecture to develop plans for a new or expanded animal-control facility; commissioners and staff said the project will examine multiple cost and service options, including partnerships and modest remodels, and not assume a $3 million final price.",{"_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},6493332,"Guadalupe County opens new elections office and warehouse, meets state requirement for Election Day voting",383,1117000,1500000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5605823-f22ebc61af3cd0e0293bb0503c3ba7f9&start=1117&end=1500","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5605823-f22ebc61af3cd0e0293bb0503c3ba7f9/thumbnail_1117000.jpg","/articles/6493332/Guadalupe-County/Texas/Guadalupe-County-opens-new-elections-office-and-warehouse-meets-state-requirement-for-Election-Day-voting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493332-71d1539ef1ded4ca7264be14e2070ebc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160100&Signature=ebO7yxk~-iNT~Js-IfxPVcdN5gODzF7c0-Z8chvv0d35zQFA1wV0Xpk3YLYotQsGHsm222MXgLrRmBW1dCLpOUFZ-K6reKgKRsXtZSCvXFji6y5mk25QUr0l6jbynUXnqee3ZnHB-WlKgH7tkn5gBsTpJcBNjgbwuzXFeAjVVlCpQ5Ny6RNmPBMrW7u1rbNFi-p3H6q9fQmNjK9L0UboSx2I~LaJuPbP0w1A4qVmEiyHOfajw46mNlGZd0DesM6ueOBzNU3zYxkVvxRMwesjeFlKSIPD4qJ6sotFS6GLxBaCi7jSvuDmEVA2zGf6chZiaehZ568xIph4xtuqs2pujg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Guadalupe County officials on Aug. 19 unveiled their new Elections Administration facility and adjacent warehouse, a project the court said had been completed on time and under budget despite utility and sewer‑connection complications discovered during construction.

The county will officially open the new offices for voters on Monday, Aug. 25, and hold an open house for the public and elected officials in mid‑September. Elections Administrator Lisa Hayes told commissioners the new space allows the office to run Election Day voting at its main site — a requirement coming into force Sept. 1 under recent state legislation — and provides long‑term secure storage for ballot boxes and voting equipment.

Why it matters: The facility expands the county’s storage and processing capacity and addresses security and recording requirements cited by the Texas Secretary of State. Commissioners and the project team emphasized storage capacity for growth over the next 15–20 years and better in‑building security and camera coverage for state compliance.

Project background and construction notes

Level 5 Architecture and Kahler Company presented site plans showing two elements: the renovated former USDA building converted to office and voting space, and a new warehouse for long‑term storage of election supplies. Construction began Oct. 15, 2024; the project encountered delays while rerouting an unknown water line and connecting the facility to City of Seguin sanitary sewer, but the county received a final certificate of occupancy on Aug. 15 and staff began moving equipment on Aug. 18.

Elections Administrator Lisa Hayes said movers had begun transferring voting equipment and that the old office would remain open through the end of that week so voters would not be inconvenienced. The new office opens officially at 8 a.m. on Aug. 25, with the old office closing at 5 p.m. the prior Friday.

Operational improvements and security

County officials noted the facility was lit for security at night; it includes a secure staff entrance and secure parking. The county repurposed a generator from the Justice Center for backup power at the elections site. Hayes and the architect said the new arrangement will facilitate election‑day operations that were previously done off‑site.

Ending

Commissioners thanked the design and construction teams and praised the facility’s layout and cost effectiveness. Officials said photos of the completed building would be shared publicly and that the public would be invited to the mid‑September open house.

","County officials and architects presented the completed Elections Administration facility, including expanded secure storage and voting space; the office will open for business Aug. 25 and allow the county to comply with new state rules requiring Election Day voting at the main early-voting location starting Sept. 1.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Guadalupe County commissioners pledge added, short-term funding for volunteer fire departments amid larger budget debate

Votes at a glance: Guadalupe County Commissioners Court, Aug. 19, 2025

Commissioners hire Level 5 Architecture to study animal control facility options; discussion emphasizes service model as much as building

Guadalupe County opens new elections office and warehouse, meets state requirement for Election Day voting