Members of San Marcos’ Veteran Affairs Advisory Committee are aiming to improve services and support for local veterans.

The VAAC presented a list of transportation, health care and other recommendations to the San Marcos City Council on July 1.

How we got here

Last March, the VAAC began identifying recommendations to make to city council regarding veteran issues such as homelessness, rental assistance, transportation, health care and improvements to Hays County Veterans Memorial, per agenda documents.

In January, the VAAC approved a resolution to recommend the following, which went before council during the July 1 meeting.
  • Recommendation 1: Allocate funds to hire at least one trained case worker specializing in veteran issues to serve as a central point of contact and address critical needs
  • Recommendation 2: Implement transportation solutions to ensure access for veterans traveling to and from Veterans Affairs health care appointments along the Austin-San Antonio corridor
  • Recommendation 3: Establish a dedicated budget for improvements and maintenance at Veterans Memorial
  • Recommendation 4: Seek financial support from the county to enhance efforts to meet the needs of veterans
“I think it’s important to realize that what we’re asking for is not only going to affect veterans, but a larger portion of the community,” VAAC member Joseph Rodriguez said.


Cost to the city

There is currently no source identified to fund the recommendations, but committee members have expressed interest in creating a fundraising campaign to implement Veterans Memorial improvements, according to agenda documents.

San Marcos is currently in its budget process for Fiscal Year 2025-26, which will begin Oct. 1.

City Manager Stephanie Reyes said it would require about a 33-35% added cost to the budget for a full-time staffer with benefits as outlined in Recommendation 1, or about $80,000-$85,000.


“It’s the recurring [position] that makes things really difficult,” Reyes said.

A transit study with the Texas Department of Transportation is also underway in San Marcos.

Council member Amanda Rodriguez said “travel to care” in general was noted by council member Alyssa Garza as being of deep importance within the study.

Director of Public Works Sabas Avila said the study can include travel to care for veterans specifically within the study, as outlined in Recommendation 2.


“I’d imagine those results will end up affecting our decisions fiscally,” Rodriguez said.

Next steps

Reyes said city officials will next talk with Hays County officials and Texas State University officials on exploring partnerships to implement the recommendations.

Additionally, the transit study is expected to be complete by fall, but Avila said this could be delayed on TxDOT's end.