File photo
File photo
Over $5 million was awarded to five counties in Texas by the Texas Indigent Defense Commission, with Kerr County receiving $2.5 million.
“Indigent Defense Improvement Grants are awarded to assist counties in developing new, innovative programs or processes to improve the delivery of indigent defense services," the Texas Indigent Defense Commission said in a press release from the Texas Association of Counties.
Kerr County gave a proposal to the commission, which proposed the establishment of the Hill Country Public Defender Office to serve Kerr, Bandera, Gillespie, Medina and Kendall counties.
"The project received the most funding, slightly more than $2.5 million. Kerr County Judge Robert Kelly said during the commission meeting that 'the excitement of all the stakeholders in this is palpable. … They’re already hitting the ground running.' Medina County Judge Chris Schuchart echoed those sentiments to the commission," Texas Association of Counties said.
The second-largest award – $1.5 million – will create a regional defender office serving Atascosa, Wilson, Karnes and Frio counties.
A grant of $780,000 was awarded to Galveston County to establish a misdemeanor mental health public defender office. Additionally, $169,280 will go to McLennan County for a mental health managed attorney program, and $135,121 will go to Nueces County for a indigent defense coordinator services.
“They’re already hitting the ground running,” Kerr County Judge Robert Kelly said, the Texas Association of Counties reported.
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