Discussion and possible to request that Webb County fund three of the four slots lost due to the defunding of state grants previously awarded by The Office of the Texas Governor Specialty Courts Grant Program, FY 2025 to Webb County Court-at-Law II Specialty Courts. Webb County Court-at-Law II DWI and Juvenile Drug Treatment (JDT) Courts were not awarded continuation funds under the Office of the Texas Governor (OOG) Specialty Courts Grant Program for FY 2025. On October 9, 2025, Webb County Court-at-Law II received an unfunded notice for Grant Nos. 5091602 (DWI Court) and 5091202 (Juvenile Drug Treatment Court). These grants were intended to continue services previously established through Grant Nos. 5091601 and 5091201, awarded in November 2024, which created four personnel slots under the Specialty Courts. The affected positions are DWI Court Case Manager – slot #4102 Full-Time, DWI Court Administrative Assistant – slot #4101 Part-Time, Judicial Communications Specialist – slot #4100 Full-Time, Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Administrative Assistant – slot #4099 Full-Time. The recommendation, if approved, is to place the two full-time employees under the wage plan grade 16, step I which is like the court coordinator. The part-time position would not be part of the wage plan. The request is that Webb County fund three (3) of the four positions that lost state funding:

• DWI Court Case Manager (FT) $42,000.00 annual salary + $20,000.00 fringe benefits
• DWI Court Administrative Assistant (PT) $20,000.00 annual salary + $15,000.00 fringe benefits
• Judicial Communications Specialist (FT) $42,000.00 annual salary + $20,000.00 fringe benefits

The Judicial Communications Specialist will absorb the duties of the Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Administrative Assistant, allowing the courts to continue operating effectively with minimal service disruption. Since its inception, the Webb County Court-at-Law II DWI Court has partnered with several agencies to provide comprehensive services to program participants. The previous OOG Specialty Court grants allowed the DWI and Juvenile Drug Treatment Courts to expand services and reach more individuals than originally projected. Despite the loss of state funding, federal funds remain available through FY 2025–2026 to maintain treatment provider services. Therefore, the request only pertains to the personnel costs directly impacted by the state grant defunding. Retaining these key staff members is imperative to the continued success of both the DWI and JDT Courts in Webb County. Maintaining these positions ensures continuity of supervision, communication, data management, and participant support essential to the courts’ mission of reducing recidivism and improving outcomes for offenders. 

Issue: Webb County Court-at-Law II DWI & Juvenile Drug Courts was not awarded state grant funds to continue and provide expansion services to court participants. 

Solution: Effectively request Webb County fund the positions of DWI and JDT Court personnel affected by the loss of state grant funds. 

Result: Retaining the three out of the four employees unfunded by state grants is imperative to the continued success of both DWI & Juvenile Drug Treatment Courts while servicing Webb County offenders . Approval of this request will Preserve continuity of services within the Specialty Courts. Maintain critical staffing levels without service interruption. Ensure continued collaboration with community partners and treatment providers. Sustain court efficiency and participant accountability through FY 2026.

Webb County Court-at-Law II is recognized as a Center of Excellence in the State of Texas and has provided DWI Court services through the court since 2015 and in 2023 established the only Juvenile Drug Treatment Court in Webb County.