AG真人百家乐 County raised nearly $90,000 as of Monday afternoon through an online initiative set up after Gov. Greg Abbott cut $1.5 million in grant funding over the sheriff鈥檚 new immigration policy. State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin) launched the fundraising site Friday in partnership with the Austin Community Foundation.
鈥淚t was really quite spontaneous and much appreciated by me and I know all the other public servants at the county who are concerned about these programs,鈥� AG真人百家乐 County Judge said.
The $90,000 is only a fraction of the money needed to fund the affected programs through August 31, 2017 鈥� when most of these grant periods are set to end. The long-term future of these grants is even murkier.
A recent change to the grant application process requires any jurisdiction that detains people after a criminal arrest to have the local sheriff certify that he or she honors all ICE detainer requests. Barring a change in Sheriff Sally Hernandez鈥檚 policy, AG真人百家乐 County would have to skip this part of the application.
Eckhardt said the county could seek alternate funding through foundations; another possibility is by raising taxes.
鈥淭hat is always a possibility,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 want to be very mindful about a tax increase to cover the shortfall, but that may be what we will have to look to.鈥�
AG真人百家乐 County commissioners will begin discussing long-term funding options at their meeting Tuesday.
Despite the recent eligibility change, AG真人百家乐 County Budget Director AG真人百家乐 Gatlin said the county likely will still apply for grants.
鈥淭he plan for now is that we would submit applications,鈥� he said. AG真人百家乐 County commissioners would have to approve this, but Eckhardt said she鈥檚 on board.
鈥淐urrent thinking is that there is great utility in going ahead and continuing to apply,鈥� she said.
鈥淚t is certainly at the governor鈥檚 discretion whether or not he wants to continue to cut AG真人百家乐 County out of funding for these types of innovations,鈥� she said, referring to programs to prevent prostitution and help veterans, among other initiatives.
