Aransas County formalizes $142,500 health-tax shift and reaffirms $100,000 support for Good Samaritans

Aransas County Commissioners on April 27 approved budget amendment 2026-1 to allocate $142,500 from healthcare sales-tax revenue for meal assistance and community services and formalized a $100,000 commitment to Rockport Fulton Good Samaritans.

Stephanie Simmons, executive director of Rockport Fulton Good Samaritans, told the court the county’s earlier $100,000 commitment has already been put to work. "This funding is playing a critical role in supporting the health and well-being of hundreds of households in Aransas County," Simmons said, and she detailed quarter-one uses: the organization served 98 households (about 295 individuals) across roughly 2,240 client visits. Simmons said county funds paid for $12,320 in food purchases, $6,027 in hygiene items, $1,600 in medical and prescription assistance, $753 for transportation to medical appointments, and $4,300 for utility assistance.

The budget amendment combines several previously directed allocations into one formal action. Commissioners said the adoption simply formalizes priorities already discussed: increasing Meals on Wheels funding, directing $100,000 to Good Samaritans and $2,500 to an extension-office community garden program. County staff said the extra funding responds to expected summer demand for food and cooling support when children are out of school.

County officials and Good Samaritans also noted a new partnership: a mobile health clinic from South Texas Family Planning and Health Corporation will visit Good Samaritans monthly on the first Wednesday during open hours to provide on-site services.

Next steps: the amendment was approved by the court on April 27 and staff will implement the transfers; program administrators said they will continue monitoring demand and report back to the court as needed.