Wilson County to apply for Texas Veterans Commission assistance grant, seeks $210,000

Wilson County Commissioners on Oct. 28 voted to authorize County Auditor Brenda Trevino to submit an application to the Texas Veterans Commission for the Fund for Veterans Assistance, a reimbursement grant covering July 1, 2025–Aug. 30, 2026. The court authorized staff to prepare the application and related materials.

The grant would allow the county to pay emergency financial assistance to eligible veterans, dependents and surviving spouses for needs such as mortgage and rent payments, utilities, food, transportation, funeral costs and limited technology expenses. Trevino told the court the program is reimbursement-based: "This is a reimbursement. It's a 100% reimbursement grant with no matching funds required from the county, but we would have to front the money up upfront." She said the application deadline is in November and award notifications are expected in May 2025.

Trevino described program design and staffing plans developed with input from county veteran services. She said the request would seek approximately $210,000 per year and that the proposal includes funding to hire a full-time program manager and support staff; she estimated a support-staff salary of about $45,000 plus benefits and additional indirect costs for marketing and materials. Trevino said Williamson County shared templates and that the county would need to prepare client intake forms and extensive monthly reporting required by the Texas Veterans Commission.

On proposed service volumes, Trevino reported a county estimate that roughly 2,500 people could benefit and walked through sample budget line items used in the application: 50 mortgage assistance payments at $1,000 each ($50,000); 10 food/grocery vouchers at $500 each; 10 funeral-assistance payments at $1,000 each; 27 rent payments at $1,000; 20 utility payments at $1,000; and 10 vehicle/gas assistance payments at $1,000. She emphasized the county must meet benchmarks to receive reimbursement.

Commissioners asked operational questions about where grant-funded staff would be housed and how the county would front early payments until reimbursements arrive. Trevino said support staff would report to the veteran services office and that the county would likely need to make a budget amendment later to cover July–September outlays if the grant is awarded. Commissioners raised concerns about hiring a full-time position that would be grant-dependent if funding ends.

Commissioner King moved to authorize the application; Commissioner Martin seconded. The court voted aye and approved the application.

If awarded, the county will return to the court to adopt a budget amendment and implement program procedures, including client intake and monthly reporting required by the Texas Veterans Commission.