In the Hays County fiscal year 2026-27 budget, adopted on Sept. 15, the Commissioners Court did not allocate social services funding to the Price Center & Garden.
After hearing input from the organization and community, the county identified a clerical error, and the commissioners voted to amend the allocations, providing the organization with $10,000 for the fiscal year.
What happened
In total, 49 community organizations applied for social services funding from Hays County for FY 2026-27, said County Administrator Kandice Boutté. The organizations requested $2.68 million in total, and the county granted $1 million to 35 applicants.
When applying for funding in the past, the Price Center & Garden submitted its requests under the name “Greater San Marcos Area Seniors,” Hays County Budget Officer Scott Woodland said. In its FY 2026-27 request, the organization applied under the name Price Center & Garden.
“We are very disappointed to learn that after more than a decade of support, the Hays County Commissioners have decided not to provide any funding to the Price Center for FY'27,” according to a Price Center & Garden social media post.
Breaking it down
The county identified multiple paths to providing the Price Center & Garden with its requested $10,000 in social services funding.
The Indigenous Cultures Institute, or ICI, chose not to accept its grant award of $1,500 so it would not need to report on it, said Woodland.
PAWS Shelter of Central Texas announced a partnership with Austin Pets Alive! to launch the Hays County Pets Alive! Initiative, expanding animal care in Hays County, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
As a result of the organizational change, the $5,000 awarded to PAWS will be awarded to the Price Center & Garden. Hays County will provide the remaining $3,500 to meet the organization's full $10,000 request for FY 2026-27.
“This is an accident from our new leadership in the administration of the county, and this was not [done with] malice or real intent,” said Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra.
Looking forward
The Commissioners Court will vote on an agenda item proposing the creation of a Hays County Social Services Advisory Commission during the Oct. 27 meeting. The commission would review applicants and advise the court on social services funding awards.
