HC Commissioners Establish Temporary Part-Time Census Program Coordinator Position

By Terra Rivers | Managing Editor

On Tuesday, Hays County Commissioners approved the establishment of a temporary part-time Census Program Coordinator.

The position will be 20 hours a week effective January 16 through September 30 utilizing the Fiscal Year 2020 budgeted funds for the 2020 Census.

Hays County has formed Complete County Committee and training sessions have been held by representatives of the U.S. Census Bureau.

The agenda states most of the work in the census effort thus far has been performed by the Hays County Judge’s Executive Assistant, Anita Collins.  

According to the agenda, the bureau recommends the county brings on an individual whose sole purpose is to coordinate schedule and attend the meetings and events; planning strategies for outreach, advertising and grants; developing community relations with municipal CCCs, civic organizations, neighborhood organizations, clubs, schools, individuals and the county.

The position will be hired at an hourly rate of $20.23.

The funds were budged during the FY 2020 budget process for expenses associated with the census and will be transferred out of the Tobacco Settlement Fund into a Census Division budget in the General Fund in order to track all associated costs.

The permanent transfer of funds is projected to be $19,245 to cover salary, increase in FICA, Medicare and office supplies and equipment.

The commissioners voted 5 to 0 to approve the establishment of the temporary Census Program Coordinator.

In other news, the Commissioners approved a resolution related to a $100,000 contribution for capital improvements to a Hays County-owned building in order to create a Rainbow Room for the Hays County Child Protective Board.

In June 2019, the court approved a license agreement authorizing the HCCPB to relocate to the Hays County building located on Broadway in San Marcos; $100,000 was allocated to the agency in Fiscal Year 2019 to build the Rainbow Room.

The funds will be returned in order for the County to complete renovations to the building to allow maximum functionality.  

The Rainbow Room specifically addresses the special emergency needs of Hays County CPS children and families.

Supplies available at the facility will assist foster, relative, fictive, and adoptive families in providing a safe home for children in CPS substitute care.