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On Tuesday, the Commissioners Court discussed the cardinal issue of how to allocate a substantial amount of money coming to the county from the American Rescue Plan Act. Much of the discussion centered on homelessness and whether the county would join the city’s commitment to use a significant portion of its ARPA funding to end homelessness in Austin.
The county will now receive only half of the total of $ 247 million in ARPA funding, with the remainder available in May next year. Planning and budget staff recommended that the county spend the money on July 1st. According to Travis Gatlin, the county budget director, three funding routes make up 30 percent of total ARPA funding. The rest would be available to the commissioners to decide on the distribution.
Employee recommendations for the $ 38 million allocation in Track One include human resource development, nutrition, childcare and rental support, and “targeted behavioral homelessness health support.” Staff recommended only $ 325,000 (for now) to fund Track One to help support the homelessness issue.
Commissioner Ann Howard suggested that greater attention should be paid to staff development and childcare, while Commissioner Brigid Shea argued that the court should hear the community before deciding on certain allocations, although she said, “this in no way precludes us from making these other programs to evaluate “. (in the future) and add them. “
Commissioner Jeff Travillion appeared to agree and called for more detailed project plans before votes take place.
As recommended by staff, the track 2 funding was used for water infrastructure, broadband infrastructure and mental health / homelessness services, among others.
On the subject of homelessness, Diana Ramirez of the Planning and Budget Office said: “These topics are in the area of health and human services and justice planning. You have identified the next steps that involve working with long-term partners such as Integral Care. “
Ramirez told commissioners that the estimated funding needs (in terms of behavioral health and homelessness) were $ 250,000 for Justice Planning and HHS to combine their efforts into a “comprehensive and scalable solution.” Austin city officials estimate that it will take $ 515 million over the next two years to fully address the problem.
“Track two is a reminder of the major new programs that the court previously agreed were dependent on a robust process of community engagement,” said Ramirez.
Referring to the city council’s conditional pledge of $ 84 million in homeless spending, pending a significant pledge from the county and philanthropic groups, Commissioner Ann Howard said: Commitment … I wonder if we’re ready to show our willingness and desire to be part of this community effort? “
District Judge Andy Brown expressed his moderate support for the idea of investing large sums in solving homelessness.
“I support the idea of using a lot of that money – $ 100 million whatever – but I think it’s important to recognize the different roles that the county has – and does – have compared to the city and the private sector.” said Brown. “Housing is necessary, but not sufficient. I think this is an opportunity for the county to invest in community-based prevention models, maybe try some new things, and also provide direct service.
“I understand we don’t want others to have the conversation for us,” Brown said, referring to the pressure on the county from the city council’s conditional commitment, “but are we saying we want to spend some amount on it? general concept? I really support the approach that Commissioner Howard is proposing. “
Other commissioners, namely Travillion and Shea, appeared to disagree with the idea of spending a significant portion of the money on homelessness.
“I’ve always wanted clearly defined specific goals; I’d rather work it through with staff and give myself something to respond to rather than spit it out if you will, “said Travillion, calling on commissioners to make sure they” achieve the goals set (them) ” .
He pointed out the failure of the Colony Park plan: no library, no infirmary, and infrequent bus traffic.
“I want to provide services to the community. I’m not trying to hold back. I want to have a plan, ”said Travillion.
Somewhat approvingly with Travillion, Brown said, “I don’t want to lose this moment, so I kind of instruct the staff to look into this filing where we can spend $ 100 million of whatever else is left to deal with Housing and health concerns, mental health – make it very clear to staff that this is where we are looking for anything along those lines. “
However, Shea called for the need to see the financial collapse of the city’s $ 500 million price tag for their long-term vision of solving homelessness and highlighted other county services that would require money. She stressed that the county does not have the money to cover the running costs of helping the homeless.
“This is one-time money and our ongoing source of income is so limited; We’ll have a hard time fulfilling our obligation to our brand new public defender office when the grants are gone. You’ll be working at 30 percent, ”Shea said. “I think it would be criminal of us to put money into something and then tell people that when the money is gone, you’re all fired.”
Editor’s Note: Andy Brown serves on the board of directors of the Capital of Texas Media Foundation, the not-for-profit parent company of Austin Monitor.
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