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Newton County reviews grant opportunities from 89th Legislature; plans January applications
Summary
County staff briefed commissioners on several 89th Legislature grant programs: historic courthouse (air-conditioning request denied), rural ambulance (county to apply for up to $350,000 in January), SB22 rural law enforcement funds (application window and compliance reports), and additional volunteer fire department funding administered by the Texas A&M Forest Service.
Newton County commissioners received a grants update Aug. 5 on four funding streams approved in the 89th Legislature and discussed next steps for applications and outreach.
Staff reported the county’s request to use courthouse grant funds for air-conditioning was deemed ineligible. On rural ambulance funding, staff said the county has previously used about $5 million of the available amount and plans to apply in January for up to $350,000 to acquire an ambulance for Emergency Services District No. 6. Commissioners noted some uncertainty in the published timelines but were told grant rules should be finalized in September and the application window will open Jan. 1.
The court also reviewed SB22 funding for rural law enforcement, which opens Jan. 1; applicants will need to submit a compliance report in November–December prior to applying. For volunteer fire departments, staff said the Legislature increased allocations and that grants will be administered by the Texas A&M Forest Service’s Helping Hands program; local volunteer departments must apply directly and the county will notify them of the opportunity.
Action: Commissioners asked staff to prepare to apply for ambulance funding in January, to assist in outreach and education to volunteer fire departments about the Helping Hands program, and to work on SB22 grant compliance reporting for future applications.
Why it matters: These grants provide capital and operational support for emergency services that directly affect response capacity in rural areas of the county.
