Copperas Cove council reviews nonprofit funding requests and signals use of fund balance to cover shortfall

Copperas Cove — At a June 25 special workshop, the City Council reviewed nonprofit funding requests submitted as part of the city manager’s proposed FY2026–27 budget and signaled a plan to use general‑fund balance to cover a shortfall in the proposed allocations.

Ariana Beckman, the city’s director of budget, told the council the proposed budget includes $95,000 for non‑city agencies but those groups requested $186,584 in total, leaving an immediate $91,584 gap and contributing to an overall projected general‑fund deficit of roughly $771,000 if allocations are increased.

Representatives from the six agencies explained how they would use city funds. Crystal Westing, branch director of the Copperas Cove Boys & Girls Club, asked for $10,000 to help cover utilities and said the club serves about 200 youth, including 43 military‑connected children and many who qualify for free or reduced lunch. “These are the amount of members we serve. We serve 200 youth… it will keep our programs affordable,” Westing said.

Deborah Longley, executive director of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Central Texas, requested $14,584 and outlined services delivered in the region: “In fiscal year 2025 we conducted we served 1,580 children… locally we conducted 69 forensic interviews… and 498 mental‑health sessions,” she said, adding that local access reduces cost and trauma compared with creating a separate forensic team within the police department.

Brian Hawkins presented two requests: Cove House Emergency Homeless Shelter asked for $50,000 to sustain operations, describing current capacity limits (housing five families comprising 16 children and several single adults) and plans to acquire additional properties for transitional housing; Hawkins also requested $5,000 on behalf of the Noon Exchange Club to help fund the annual Feast of Sharing community meal.

Jamie Hunt of Hill Country Community Action requested $22,000 to continue the city senior‑meals program. Tony Austin of the Hill Country Transit District (HOP) requested $85,000 for microransit services, noting the system provided 55,193 trips in 2025 with a 96% satisfaction rate.

Council members debated allocation strategies. Councilman Jack Smith proposed preserving the $85,000 HOP allocation and giving smaller amounts to others, while other councilmembers recommended using the general‑fund balance so each organization could receive its full requested amount. Council reached a working consensus to use fund balance for the difference while awaiting certified property‑value figures that could alter the city’s revenue projections.

Because the discussion occurred during a workshop rather than a regular council meeting, no formal votes were taken. Council staff said final allocations, and any corresponding budget amendments, will be determined during the regular budget process and after the city receives certified values.

What’s next: Council will continue budget deliberations in upcoming meetings and will incorporate these nonprofit requests into formal budget decisions later in the FY2026–27 process.