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Head Start program to apply 0.635% COLA to staff and recommends interim CFO

Hidalgo County Commissioners Court · July 7, 2026

Summary

Head Start staff notified the court it received a 0.635% cost‑of‑living adjustment that must be applied to wages and fringe for eligible Head Start employees; the court approved recommending Concepcion Lopez as interim chief financial officer pending federal approval.

Hidalgo County Head Start staff informed Commissioners Court that a 0.635% cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) awarded in the Notice of Award must be applied proportionately to salaries, wages and fringe benefits for eligible Head Start and Early Head Start staff and cannot be used for one‑time bonuses. Staff said the increase is modest and will be applied to regular full‑time employees as required by federal guidance.

The court also approved the policy council’s recommendation to appoint Concepcion Lopez as interim chief financial officer. Head Start staff said Lopez is a CPA with prior experience as an assistant superintendent and as deputy chief accountant with Region 1; the county will submit Lopez’s resume and justification to the responsible HHS official before making a permanent offer. "We will submit Miss Lopez's resume and an account on how the selected candidate was the most qualified person," staff told the court.

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