Burleson County applies for multiple public-safety grants; sheriff reports staffing openings

Burleson County Commissioners Court on Jan. 8 approved motions to apply for several public-safety grant programs, and county officials gave routine reports on jail population and 911 call volume.

The court authorized applications for the FY25 VOCA General Victim Assistance grant, the VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) Justice and Training Program FY2025 grant, the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) for FY25, and two FEMA State Homeland Security Program grant tracks (SHSP-R and SHSP-NPA) for Federal Fiscal Year 2024. Those motions were approved unanimously; the applications will be submitted through the Office of the Governor (OOG) and the Brazos Valley Council of Governments (BVCOG), per the meeting record.

Commissioner David Hildebrand moved to apply for VOCA (second by Commissioner Dwayne Faust). Commissioner Robert (Bobby) Urbanosky moved for the VAWA application (second by Commissioner Dwayne Faust). Commissioner Hildebrand moved and Commissioner Faust seconded the JAG application. Commissioner Vincent Svec moved and Commissioner Faust seconded the SHSP-R item; Commissioner Hildebrand moved and Commissioner Urbanosky seconded the SHSP-NPA application.

Sheriff Gene Hermes told the court the jail held 49 people (45 male, 4 female) and listed vacancies within the department: two patrol, two jailers, two dispatch, two school resource officers and two CID positions. Angie Jones of 911 said the office recorded 566 calls for service during 2023, with 545 residential and 21 commercial or oil-and-gas addresses.

During public forum, Janet Hightower Schafer expressed concerns about a perceived lack of cooperation with the Sheriff Department. Tax Collector Jessica Lucero told the court the tax office discovered a stolen vehicle during registration and reported it to the sheriff’s office and city police “with total cooperation,” indicating at least one instance of interagency response.

The meeting record does not include award amounts, application details, or grant budget lines; the motions authorized only filing applications. The court adjourned after approving routine bills.