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Bell County court authorizes application for Texas capital credits to support children's advocacy organizations
Summary
Commissioners authorized the county judge to request capital credits under Texas Local Government Code §381.004 to support local children's advocacy programs; commissioners debated allocation mechanics and a failed amendment to add $5,000 for an Innovation Black Chamber economic development effort.
Bell County Commissioners on July 1 authorized the county judge to request capital credits under Texas Local Government Code §381.004 from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts to support several outside agencies, including AWARE Central Texas, Court Appointed Special Advocates, the Bell County Child Welfare Board and the Children's Advocacy Center.
Staff and the county auditor told the court the request asks the Comptroller to calculate and award credits; the county does not specify the exact dollar amount in the application. Commissioners asked how the state determines the credits and noted wide historical variation in amounts received (examples cited in workshop included years with as much as $300,000 and recent years of $75,000 and $40,000). The auditor said the calculation is done by the Comptroller and is not publicly disclosed.
A sheet accompanying the requests included requested allocations totaling $137,000 to the listed outside agencies; commissioners noted that if the county does not receive sufficient capital credits, the general fund would supply the previously adopted budgeted allocations. One commissioner proposed adding $5,000 for the Innovation Black Chamber of Commerce (economic development) but the amendment received no second and therefore did not proceed.
The court voted to authorize the application; staff said the county would allocate any credits received when the FY2025 budget is finalized and could amend allocations later if needed.
