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Court funds victim assistance coordinator through FY26 months while grant status unclear
Summary
After discussion of a lost grant and the limits of state funding, the court voted to cover the coordinator's pay through September at the base rate and to set a FY26 base salary pending budget changes.
The Cook County Commissioners Court voted to fund the county's victim assistance coordinator through the end of fiscal year 2025 and to set a base salary for fiscal year 2026 while the future of grant funding remains uncertain.
County staff and commissioners discussed the position at length after staff provided historical pay data. Elizabeth (staff) supplied a breakdown showing the proposed FY26 base salary of $43,008.20; she also noted longevity and other factors. Ed (staff/legal) said the position is required by Texas law and cited the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 56A.0202, which describes victim assistance coordinator duties.
Commissioners debated whether the county should supplement grant funding if the state grant is not renewed. One commissioner expressed concern that supplementing grants sets a precedent and referenced larger potential costs tied to SB 22. After discussion, a motion was made to fund September (the final month of FY25) at the base rate for that year and to include the FY26 base salary in the proposed budget adjustments. Commissioners voted and the motion passed 5-0.
Staff noted separate components: the FY26 base salary figure presented ($43,008.20) and an analysis showing total position cost with benefits of roughly $75,086. Commissioners directed staff to reflect the base pay in FY25's final month and to amend the FY26 budget accordingly; they left decisions about supplementing the position with SB 22 or other funds to future budget deliberations.
