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Incoming county attorney seeks support for local distribution of SB22 funds in FY25 budget
Summary
Eddie Escobar, incoming Gonzales County attorney, asked the court to support allowing the elected county attorney discretion to allocate state SB22 funds within legal limits to staff positions and victim services; commissioners discussed timing, amounts and whether the county would front salaries if funds miss start-of-year timing.
During public comment on the proposed fiscal year 2025 budget, Eddie Escobar, the incoming county attorney, urged the commissioners to support the elected county attorney’s discretion to distribute funds received under Senate Bill 22. Escobar said SB22 funds—direct state allocations routed through the county budget—have already allowed the county attorney’s office to hire a civil attorney and to supplement other positions, improving local legal responsiveness.
Escobar said he had researched distribution rules and consulted the Texas Comptroller and other state offices; he asked the court to support the county attorney’s discretion to administer those funds consistent with state law. Commissioners and staff raised procedural questions: a county official cited an email from the Texas Comptroller stating that funds received directly should be returned to the interfund in some circumstances, and staff noted a capped amount available for distribution—roughly $175,000 after accounting for a full-time civil attorney salary and benefits.
Commissioners asked who would be responsible if funds were used incorrectly and whether the county would need to temporarily cover a new civil attorney’s salary if SB22 funds arrived late. Staff said the distribution would be subject to the county attorney’s office budget and to legal limits; the county attorney would be responsible for administering those funds within law and budget rules.
Next steps: budget workshop follow-ups were scheduled to clarify the timing of fund receipts, precise allocation amounts, and contingency plans if state funds arrive after Oct. 1.
