Nueces County Commissioners Court Thursday approved continuation of the county’s Title IV‑E legal services contract with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and discussed a related child‑welfare services grant that also covers some county costs.

County grants staff and legal counsel briefed the court on how Title IV‑E reimbursement works: the county performs legal representation and other duties required by the Family Code and the state reimburses a percentage of allowable costs. Grants staff provided a year‑end breakdown for fiscal 2024 showing total submitted costs and the federal/state share reimbursed.

Nicole Russell and other staff explained that for the year ending Sept. 30, 2024, the county submitted roughly $341,000 in eligible costs for Title IV‑E legal services and received approximately $41,000 in federal reimbursement for that submission; staff emphasized the grant offsets some costs but does not fully fund county legal work required by statute. The court heard that program administration, auditor review and indirect cost allocations are included in the reimbursement submissions and that some program components are county policy choices rather than legal obligations.

After discussion the court approved the Title IV‑E legal services contract (item B‑1). Commissioners then debated the child‑welfare services contract (item B‑2), focusing on the distinction between costs the county must provide under statute and discretionary program funds; staff clarified which line items are reimbursable and which are county expenses. Following the briefing, the court approved the child‑welfare services contract and asked staff to provide more detailed cost breakdowns in the future to aid decision‑making.

Court action

- Title IV‑E legal services contract (B‑1): approved. Staff noted the program is tied to statutory duties and that state reimbursement will offset a portion of county legal costs.
- Child welfare services contract (B‑2): court approved continuation; staff will follow up with a more detailed accounting of reimbursable versus county‑funded costs.

Commissioners said they want to understand net fiscal exposure before altering program scope and requested clearer annual reporting on reimbursements and county contributions.