DeWitt Commissioners receive Child Welfare Board budget

The DeWitt County Commissioners Court received the 2025-26 fiscal year budget from the DeWitt County Child Welfare Board at the July 28 meeting.

The board requested $7,500 from the commissioners court at the meeting.

“Around $500 of that is going to our rainbow room which is a storage unit that child protective services caseworkers have access to 24/7,” Child Welfare Board President Kati Klores said.

“Some items in that room include items like bottles and clothes. They can grab that at anytime day or night if they need it. About $5,925 will go toward needs for children in foster care including clothing, school supplies, bedding and beds. We also purchase birthday and Christmas gifts for children that are in foster care. School clothes now is the bulk of our budget. The last part is $75 for secretary and treasurer supplies including clip books and stamps.”

Commissioners also approved an interlocal agreement between DeWitt County and the Child Welfare Board.

Commissioners also approved a field agreement between DeWitt County and the USDA, Texas Agrilife Extension and Texas Wildlife Damage Management Association Inc. This is for predatory animal control. 

“This is based on the need expressed by the ranchers in the County,” DeWitt County Judge Daryl Fowler said. “There’s been issues with predators like coyotes and so forth. This is to eradicate that population and the rate for that is $250 a day not to exceed $8,000 during the period of Oct. 1 2025 through Sept. 30 2026. There will be traps set all around the County.” 

Other items on the agenda include: 

• Commissioners received the 2025 certified appraised values from the DeWitt County Central Appraisal District.

• Commissioners set a public hearing to adopt the tax rate and budget. It will be on Aug. 25 at 9 a.m.

• Commissioners approved a service agreement between DeWitt County and Victoria Engineering Inc. for professional engineering services for non-housing projects. 

• It was reported that the east wall on the Museum has been replaced.

• All precinct operations were reported as normal.

• Commissioners approved a resolution opposing legislation prohibiting the use of county funds to retain experts, consultants and lobbyists to influence legislation.