Court approves amendment so Lone Star Legal Aid can receive upcoming payments

Harris County Commissioners Court on Aug. 25 approved an amendment to the county's agreement with Lone Star Legal Aid so the nonprofit can receive two remaining payments under its contract.

Auditors and county staff told the court the amendment relates to an earlier ARPA‑funded de‑obligation that requires changes before the county can disburse additional funds. An auditor asked the court to consider the amendment for a vote so that Lone Star Legal Aid would not face a payment delay; a public commenter, Doris Brown, urged approval and said legal representation helps keep families housed. "This could help the children as it might keep a roof over their heads by enabling their caregivers to stay in their homes with legal representation that is free or very affordable," Brown said.

Court staff said approving the amendment would allow scheduled payments to proceed; they advised it was within the court's discretion to delay the matter to September, but that doing so could prevent the organization from receiving funds currently in the payments queue. Commissioner Brown moved to take the vote; the court carried the motion and the item passed. The court did not read an explicit roll‑call tally in the transcript for this specific vote. The county indicated staff and auditors will follow up on any residual administrative steps needed to complete the disbursements.