Hays County, Texas State and partners approve $47,668 joint funding for youth services director in Core 4 partnership

HAYS COUNTY — Hays County Commissioners Court on Thursday authorized an intergovernmental funding agreement to provide $47,668 in joint funding for a youth services director as part of the Core 4 partnership among Hays County, Texas State University, San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District and the City of San Marcos.

Matthew Gonzales, speaking for the Core 4 partnership, said the role supports youth programs including coalition steering, a youth task force and countywide prevention events. Gonzales said the only substantive change in the new funding arrangement was that San Marcos CISD chose to maintain its prior funding level this year rather than increasing its share; Community Action plans to seek grants to cover its requested increase.

Commissioners voted to authorize the agreement after asking whether San Marcos CISD had been directly asked to raise its contribution; staff said the district reported it could not provide raises to employees this year and therefore declined the increase. The motion passed by roll-call vote with Commissioners Inglesby, Hammer, Cohen and Smith and the presiding judge voting yes.

Why it matters: The funding supports a shared youth-services position that coordinates school, university, city and county efforts on prevention, education and youth leadership programs in Hays County.

Next steps: The county will execute the funding agreement and Community Action will seek alternative grant funding for its portion; partners will continue coordinating Core 4 activities and events.