Colleen council hears FY2027 funding pitches from transit, rodeo, health and homeless services

Colleen, TX — Colleen City Council spent its June 2 work session hearing a packed slate of FY2027 funding requests from community partners and regional service providers as staff begin balancing next year’s budget.

Ten organizations made short pitches, outlining services and specific asks. Hill Country Transit (HOP) requested $650,000 to cover Colleen’s FY2027 share of microtransit and fixed‑route services; the agency reported 213,116 completed rides in FY25 and said 68% of bookings use its mobile app. Rodeo Colleen told the council it delivered record attendance (about 18,000 visits over three days) and estimated a $1.8 million local economic impact, asking for $50,000 in hotel‑occupancy‑tax support to keep marketing and operations growing.

Public safety and service providers described operational pressure and asked for modest increases. The Bell County Communications Center presented 2025 performance metrics (213,000 911 calls) and outlined telehealth and behavioral‑health transfer pilots while describing how county/city cost‑shares are calculated. The Bow County Public Health District requested increased funding tied to federal food‑safety inspection requirements. The Bell County Appraisal District reviewed parcel growth and a change‑finder program it says returns far more value than the program cost.

Several social‑service providers made urgent appeals. Families in Crisis, which operates the Friends in Crisis shelter, requested $350,000 in “gap” funds to keep the shelter fully operational. Agency leaders said shelter operations cost roughly $980,000 a year and predicted they would curtail admissions in July if additional funding is not secured; council members pressed for a detailed budget, documentation of other funding sources, and performance metrics if the city provides one‑time support. The Children’s Advocacy Center described expanded local counseling and a new Fort Hood location and asked for resources to extend services to children ages 0–5.

Economic‑development and small‑business pitches drew prolonged council attention. The Colleen Economic Development Corporation (EDC) sought $1.5 million for incentives, marketing and “shovel‑ready” site development at the Wolf Tech/Life Science Park. Several council members raised a separate and heated concern: they said the EDC had been told by some staff members to prioritize industrial recruitment and not pursue a long‑standing council directive to recruit a grocery store for the city’s north side. The exchange ended with council directing staff to place a follow‑up item on a future agenda and requesting minutes that document prior board or staff directions; the disagreement will be reviewed separately by the council.

The Innovative Black Chamber outlined plans to build a community development financial institution (CDFI)‑style program and training cohorts to improve small‑business access to capital and requested funding to expand that work. Staff and council members asked for selection criteria and how programs would coordinate with the EDC and other local providers.

What’s next: Council did not adopt a budget but indicated it will scrutinize requests as staff assemble the FY2027 preliminary budget. Several departments and nonprofits were asked to provide follow‑up materials: itemized budgets, metrics showing local economic impact, and documentation of other pending funding. Leaders of Families in Crisis were asked to provide audited financials and a detailed plan showing how city funds would be spent and what performance targets would follow.

Council also approved several consent items and two construction awards during the same meeting: drainage/landscape work at W.S. Young / I‑14, and new traffic signals on Chapperel Road. The council set a June 16 public hearing on the city’s proposed fee schedule and scheduled multiple special meetings in June and July to review charter amendment proposals and other time‑sensitive items.