Grant application for ‘transformative justice’ gets OK
GEORGETOWN — Williamson County commissioners have tabled a request for a burn ban but approved seeking a grant to help keep young adults from falling through the cracks of the justice system.
During the Feb. 3 meeting of the Commissioners Court, County Fire Marshal Mike Lugo asked officials to issue a countywide prohibition against burning, noting Milam, Burnet and Bastrop counties made such declarations in early January.
Commissioners questioned the need for a ban after the county recently was saturated by rain and sleet, instead asking Lugo to provide more data before rendering a decision.
“We’ve had a lot of ice. The ground is damp, it’s not drying out. So why do we need a burn ban?” said Williamson County Judge Steven Snell.
Lugo told commissioners despite the recent inclement weather there had been three fires in the county in the last week. He added he based his recommendation on information received from the Texas A&M Forest and National Weather services, which showed the county is still under drought conditions.
“Even with the rain and sleet and snow we received, it’s going to be a lot warmer next week with the temperature in the 80s. All that’s going to do is dry out whatever rain we did have and it’s going to further cause more drought issues,” Lugo said.
In other business, the District Attorney’s Office on behalf of the Transformative Justice Program gained permission to apply for a fiscal year 2027 grant through the state Criminal Justice Grants Program, with commissioners agreeing to provide matching funds.
If the grant comes through, the $164,000 is slated for a new software system and salaries for a program director and case manager.
The program serves young adults ages 17-24. Data has shown that age group often falls through the cracks of the justice system, officials said.
“Before we even started the (Transformative Justice Program), three out of four kids were coming back into the criminal justice system within three years,” said District Attorney Shawn Dick.
The program offers the young adults a lifeline, a chance to grow, change and not become repeat offenders, the county’s top prosecutor said.
The goal is not only rehabilitation but “teaching these youth about accountability, about their role in our community, about how to be a productive member of our community,” Dick said.
“It’s also about giving them an individualized treatment plan so that they have the tools they need to succeed in life,” he added.
Commissioners’ next meeting is 9:30 a.m. Feb. 10 at 710 S. Main St.
Sessions can also be viewed online at wilcotx.gov/331/ Commissioners- Court.
“
All that’s going to do is dry out whatever rain we did have and it’s going to further cause more drought issues.”
— County Fire Marshal Mike Lugo
