By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
City council members have voted to continue funding for Val Verde County’s shelter for area women who are the victims of domestic violence.
The council during its Nov. 19 meeting considered an ordinance “authorizing the appropriation of funds from the (city) general fund to Val Verde County and approving an interlocal agreement with Val Verde County for funding the county’s family violence shelter program.”
After City Secretary Mari Acosta read the heading of the agenda item, Mayor Al Arreola called for a motion.
Councilman Jesus Lopez Jr. made the motion to approve the ordinance, and Councilman J.P. Sanchez gave the second.
Arreola asked if there were any comments or questions, and hearing none, he called for a vote.
All six members of the council present voted in favor of the motion.
In a memo to city council members from Community Services Director Esme Meza included in the council’s informational packet, Meza noted, “The city of Del Rio has had an annual interlocal agreement with Val Verde County to operate the women’s shelter since 2017.”
“The yearly agreement is for the city to pay $90,000 and the county to pay $90,000 for the operation of the women’s shelter. Since the inception of this agreement in 2017, Val Verde County has contracted with Quad Counties to operate the women’s shelter,” Meza wrote.
“Quad Counties sends monthly reports and invoices to the county. The county forwards those reports and invoices to the city of Del Rio. The city of Del Rio pays Val Verde County $7,500 per month for the women’s shelter (operation),” Meza added.
Meza also reported the county had a new contract with Esperanza First Del Rio to operate the women’s shelter.
“The county will continue to invoice the city for $7,500 per month, and the city will only be working with the county on this agreement if approved,” Meza wrote.
Meza’s memo also noted the city had budgeted $90,000 to fund the contract in its Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget.
“The city alone would not be able to operate a shelter at $90,000 per year,” Meza wrote.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com.
