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Council sets FY26 nonprofit contributions at $66,000, reallocates one line item
Summary
After discussion and public comment from nonprofit representatives, the council agreed on a proposed allocation of $66,000 in annual city contributions to local nonprofits for fiscal 2025–26, including a reallocation of Take Me Home funding to Animal Services.
Lockhart City Council finalized recommended funding allocations for nonprofit and special-interest organizations for fiscal year 2025–26, approving a package totaling $66,000 during the regular meeting.
Keeley (finance director) told council a total of $79,000 had been requested by nonprofit applicants, with historical contribution levels included in the agenda packet. Staff recommended moving the Take Me Home allocation from the Mayor/Council budget to Animal Services to better reflect the service provided. After public comment from Golden Age Home board members and other nonprofit representatives, councilmembers debated how to adjust amounts for Meals on Wheels and the animal transport nonprofit Take Me Home.
Public commenters described their organizations' activities and urged the council to adopt clearer application criteria. Marsha Proctor and Jane Brown, representing Golden Age Home, asked that the city refine application language to define which organizations qualify for municipal funding.
Council discussed increases for Meals on Wheels amid state and federal funding uncertainty and considered a larger increase for Take Me Home because the group transports animals out of Caldwell County and, staff analysis showed, reduces municipal shelter costs. Staff presented an estimate of $530 per dog in local shelter cost savings tied to transported animals and said the nonprofit had moved 238 animals year‑to‑date — a city-supplied figure the council cited in deliberations.
After discussion, the council directed the finance staff to include the following recommended amounts in the FY26 budget: Caldwell Food Bank $10,000; Caravan $10,000; CASA $12,000; Meals on Wheels $10,000; Hays County Women’s Center $10,000; Area Senior Citizen Center $4,000; Take Me Home $10,000 — which together total $66,000. The council voted to adopt these amounts in the regular meeting by a recorded motion that passed 6-0.
City staff said the final appropriation and a written budget will be presented for formal adoption during the budget process. Staff also agreed to review the nonprofit application form and bring back suggested clarifications to the application criteria.
