Hays County approves $100,000 one‑time bridge grant for Southside Community Center after accountability debate

The Hays County Commissioners Court on a unanimous roll call approved a one‑time $100,000 amendment to the Southside Community Center’s FY2026 social‑services contract, adding the funding and amending the county budget.

The award, moved and seconded on the court’s consent slate, drew several public comments and a detailed discussion among commissioners about fiscal accountability, sustainability and the organization’s role as a countywide service hub. The court also discussed a related $25,000 ARPA payment that staff said remains outstanding pending receipt of required documentation.

Why it matters: Southside operates eviction‑prevention, emergency assistance and shelter services across Hays County and has been a common county partner in winter storms, cooling centers and other emergency responses. Commissioners said the one‑time funding is intended as bridge funding to sustain services while Southside moves into the county’s regular budget process and implements quarterly reporting.

Commissioner Michelle Cohen and Commissioner Inglesby argued the county often acts as seed funder for social‑service organizations and that Southside serves a broad geographic area, including Kyle and Buda. Commissioner Smith said she supported help for the organization but pressed for clear performance data, asking for a two‑ to three‑year retrospective on deliverables and a detailed accounting of program participants and expenses before any continuing commitments are made. Commissioner Morgan Hammer emphasized sustainability and cautioned the court against making recurring commitments from one‑time ARPA funds.

Southside board president Rev. Dr. Todd Salmi told the court the center is preparing auditable financial statements, said Southside has a $250,000 challenge grant from the McCoy Foundation that requires local matching and described the request as “bridge funding” while the nonprofit enters the county’s normal FY27 application process. Salmi said roughly 25% of Southside clients come from Kyle and Buda and that, with current funding limits, staff were already turning away clients.

County budget officer Scott Woodland told the court there are two separate, previously committed $25,000 payments (one paid, one awaiting documentation) and that the newly approved $100,000 would come from identified sources (tobacco settlement funds for $100,000 and an additional $25,000 of ARPA for a separate purpose was discussed). Staff also said the county is implementing quarterly reporting requirements for social‑service grantees to show the number of individuals served, activities performed and any gaps identified.

The vote: The roll call recorded “yes” votes from Commissioners Cohen, Hammer, Inglesby, Smith and Judge Becerra. County staff said the funding is a one‑time infusion and should not be considered base funding going forward; commissioners requested regular reporting and specific deliverables when Southside submits its FY27 application.

What’s next: County staff will implement the quarterly reporting framework and Southside will submit financial and outcome reporting per new requirements. Commissioners asked staff to include clear deliverables and plat‑level documentation in future funding requests so the court can evaluate continuation requests during the regular budget cycle.