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Kendall County asks Texas Legislature for flood relief, seeks stipends for volunteer fire departments
Summary
Following severe July flooding on the Guadalupe River, the Kendall County Commissioners Court adopted a resolution requesting state legislative support for flood-warning systems, streamlined emergency rules, FEMA public‑assistance match relief, and stipend grants for volunteer fire departments via the Rural VFD Assistance Program.
The Kendall County Commissioners Court on July 14 adopted a resolution asking the Texas Legislature to provide funding and regulatory relief after severe flooding on July 4 that damaged homes, infrastructure and public services along the Guadalupe River. The resolution asks the Legislature to fund additional flood warning systems, strengthen emergency communications and provide relief funding — including a local‑match mechanism for jurisdictions eligible for FEMA public assistance — and specifically requests that the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program be used to provide stipend grants to volunteer first responders.
The court read the resolution into the record, noting Comfort’s existing flood warning system played a central role in recent evacuations. Commissioner Wiesen explained the language was updated to include a stipend mechanism after discussions with Senator Donna Campbell’s staff and local fire chiefs; Joyce, a staff member for Senator Campbell, addressed the court and said state staff remain available to help draft and coordinate priorities as the special legislative session moves forward.
Why it matters: The resolution is a formal county statement of priorities intended to influence state lawmakers during a special session; it seeks both capital investments (warning systems, generators, culvert replacements) and operating relief (stipends, streamlined rules) to speed response and recovery and reduce burdens on volunteer emergency providers.
Details and context: Court members and staff described multiple grant opportunities — CDBG and FEMA mitigation programs, a USDA/NRCS stream‑rehabilitation grant, and Small Business Administration help for damaged businesses — and said the county has been added to a federal disaster declaration, allowing residents to apply for FEMA assistance. Staff urged residents to use the FEMA portal even if the county listing was delayed.
Next steps: The court voted to adopt the resolution and will forward the statement to the county’s legislative contacts; staff will continue coordinating grant submissions and administration of FEMA and other federal/state assistance programs.
