The Travis County Commissioners Court on Aug. 12 approved three budget adjustments for the newly formed Community Legal Services department and ratified a memorandum of understanding with the City of Austin to secure an AmeriCorps VISTA member.

Community Legal Services requested three adjustments: $30,000 to fund branding, marketing and messaging services; $7,750 to support a City of Austin/AmeriCorps VISTA placement; and $83,140 to transfer estimated vacancy savings for one-time operating needs tied to the Office of First Defense. Jeff Burkhart, county executive for Community Legal Services, told the court that the VISTA placement is a partnership with the city and that the city has already accepted federal funds for the position.

Nut graf: The adjustments are funded from temporary salary savings within the Community Legal Services department and were presented as one‑time uses to build community outreach capacity and to support the county's Office of First Defense as it reaches full staffing.

What the court approved
- VISTA MOU and funding: The court approved a $7,750 transfer and ratified a memorandum of understanding with the City of Austin to host an AmeriCorps VISTA member for outreach and community engagement work. County staff said the city had already received federal funds for the VISTA position and the county's contribution covers operating costs.
- Branding and operating support: Commissioners approved $30,000 for branding and messaging and $83,140 from estimated vacancy savings to cover one-time operational needs for the Office of First Defense, including tablets for attorneys, training and scheduling software.

Office of First Defense status
Community Legal Services reported the Office of First Defense had filled all 18 staff positions and is representing about half of persons at magistrations, operating two shifts daily, seven days a week, with Spanish-speaking attorneys on each shift. The department asked to reallocate one-time vacancy savings to cover hardware, training and other startup needs.

Formal actions
- Motion to approve the three Community Legal Services budget adjustments: moved by Commissioner Gomez; second by Commissioner Shea; outcome: passed unanimously.
- Motion to approve the VISTA memorandum of understanding with City of Austin: moved by Commissioner Howard; second by Commissioner Trevillion; outcome: passed unanimously.

Ending: County and department staff said they will return with an extra MOU item if needed and continue working with partners to recruit and support the VISTA and to finalize one-time purchases for Office of First Defense operations.