Copperas Cove council reviews nonprofit funding requests, signals use of general‑fund balance to cover shortfall

A special workshop of the Copperas Cove City Council on June 25 focused on non‑city agency funding requests included in the proposed FY2026–27 budget. Council heard six presentations and discussed whether to fully fund those requests, use the budgeted $95,000 line item, or tap fund balance to make up the difference.

Ariana Beckman, the city’s director of budget, told council the proposed budget included $95,000 for non‑city agency support but that agencies requested $186,584 in total, leaving a $91,584 gap between requests and what is currently budgeted. Beckman said general‑fund requests must provide a direct public benefit to Copperas Cove residents and noted hotel‑occupancy tax funds are restricted by state law to tourism‑related uses.

Presenters described services and specific funding needs. Crystal Westing, branch director of the Copperas Cove Boys & Girls Club, said the local branch serves about 200 youth, including children from military families and students who qualify for free or reduced‑price lunch, and requested $10,000 to help cover utility costs that keep after‑school and summer programs affordable. “We serve 200 youth,” Westing said, and the funds would help “keep our programs affordable” and preserve bus pickup routes from elementary schools.

Deborah Longley, executive director of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Central Texas, asked the city for $14,584 (described as about $0.35 per resident) to support forensic interviewing, mental‑health services and family advocacy. Longley said the center served 1,580 children across its region in FY2025, conducted hundreds of forensic interviews and provided thousands of mental‑health sessions, and argued the center’s services reduce duplication of interviews and save costs for families and the justice system. ‘‘If the police had to maintain their own forensic‑interview capacity, it could cost roughly $1,000 per case,’’ Longley said, describing the CAC as a cost‑saving partner for local law enforcement.

Brian Hawkins presented for Cove House Emergency Homeless Shelter, outlining current occupancy (several families and individuals) and plans to acquire properties and deploy alternative housing solutions (including container or tiny homes) to move people into permanent housing. Jamie Hunt of Hill Country Community Action requested $22,000 to sustain the Copperas Cove senior meals program that delivers congregate and home‑delivered meals five days a week; she said $10,000 would fund meals while $12,000 would cover new senior‑center operating costs.

Tony Austin represented the Hill Country Transit District (HOP) and asked the council to maintain $85,000, the same contribution requested in previous years. Austin said the transit system completed 55,193 trips during the reporting period with a 96% satisfaction rate, and he emphasized HOP’s role connecting riders to groceries, health care and employment.

Brian Hawkins also presented a $5,000 request on behalf of the Noon Exchange Club to cover half the estimated cost of its annual Feast of Sharing community meal, which the presenter said served about 650 people last year.

In discussion, Councilmember Jack Smith recommended preserving the $85,000 contribution to HOP and trimming other grants to fit the $95,000 budgeted line. Other council members expressed a preference to fund each agency at its requested level and to use available general‑fund balance to cover the shortfall. The mayor observed council would finalize allocations after certified property‑value figures are available. No formal vote was recorded at the workshop; staff said funds and the impact on the general‑fund deficit would be clarified once certified values are confirmed.

What happens next: staff will return recommended allocations for council action after receiving updated revenue and certified valuation figures, and council indicated it will consider using the general‑fund balance to cover the requested increases.