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Public commenters urge county help for veterans, eviction prevention and oppose local ICE cooperation
Summary
Speakers at the Jan. court meeting urged support for AmVets building repairs and ADA access, asked for county support to sustain Southside's housing-stability program, praised animal-welfare partners and emailed comments opposed to a 287(g) agreement with ICE.
During the public‑comment portion of Hays County Commissioners Court, several community members outlined needs and requests for county support.
Alex Barragan and Commander Chris Calkins of an AmVets post asked the court for help repairing a sinking back porch and funding ADA improvements at their building so older veterans and community partner groups can continue to use the facility safely. The county subsequently approved a facilities request to replace the patio and add an ADA ramp for the AmVets building.
Pastor Todd Salmi, president of Southside Community Center, requested county funding to continue a housing‑stability program that began two years ago; he said the program prevented 49 families from eviction in the last six months and serves hundreds through emergency and transitional housing. He noted the program's initial two‑year funding will run out in April and asked the court to partner in future funding.
Julia Guerrero of PAWS Shelter of Central Texas and other animal-welfare partners described last year's accomplishments — including hundreds of surgery and TNR interventions — and urged continued support for spay/neuter and voucher programs. The court later adopted a spay/neuter awareness proclamation and authorized partner rabies clinics.
The court also read an emailed comment from Christine Norton, a licensed clinical social worker and Hays County resident, opposing entering or expanding a 287(g) agreement with ICE. Norton wrote that such agreements erode trust with immigrant families, divert local law-enforcement resources, increase liability and have harmful public‑health and safety consequences.
What happens next: staff incorporated some facility repairs and the court approved related items on consent and will take further budget and program requests through the normal agenda and budget process.
