Victims services coordinator position coming to Lakeway

The Lakeway Police Department will soon welcome a new victims services coordinator to its ranks due largely to a state grant approved Oct. 1.

That grant, in addition to a 20% matching contribution from the city of Lakeway and $8,000 from the city of Bee Cave, will fully fund the $48,500 per year plus $18,500 in benefits position for fiscal year 2019-20.

Police Chief Todd Radford addressed City Council during its Feb. 18 meeting to request authorization to submit another grant request to the state for 2021 for $41,000, which is the maximum allowable amount for this cycle, according to city information.

“If the new grant request were denied for funding, council would need to consider funding the victims services coordinator position as part of the police FY 2021 budget,” a city document states, adding the city of Bee Cave would continue to provide ongoing financial contributions for the position through an interlocal agreement.

Radford said his department has already selected a qualified candidate, whose job would be to help victims move through criminal justice processes that take place after they experience a crime, but wanted to update council on the ongoing costs of the position before extending an offer.

"Where we sit today is we would like to extend that offer," Radford said.

Council voted to authorize the submission of the grant for FY 2020-21 during the Feb. 18 meeting, and Radford said the Lakeway Police Department will now move forward with extending an offer to the candidate.

During the same meeting, council approved an interlocal agreement in which the city of Bee Cave will pay the city of Lakeway $8,000 for fiscal year 2020-21 to help fund the victims services position. Radford said Bee Cave is kicking in partial funding because the city will benefit from the position's services.