Kerr County had $10M fall in their laps in 2021

[pdq2]

…what to do, what to do?

Via Wonkette today: as part of Biden’s America Recovery Act, Kerr County was given $10M in 2021 (yes, just the small, rural county). What to do with this assistance windfall?

One commissioner pushed hard to send the money back, because “Biden”. That failed.

Others pointed out some glaring needs that could be addressed.

“Precinct 3 Commissioner Jonathan Letz said the county is *facing serious issues when upgrading its emergency communications systems*, including replacing an aging radio system that would align with the city of Kerrville's plan to upgrade its communications. The county's consultants said they believe the federal funding, designed around COVID-19 relief, could be used to offset these costs.”

“… Last week, the U.S. Treasury Department issued a 43-page frequently asked question document that outlines all of the uses, along with prohibitions for the funding use. A careful read of the document reveals that the county would have *broad authority to spend the money as it sees fit, including a new radio system covered in the FAQ.*”

(quotes taken from The Kerr County Lead 11/22/21):

https://kerrcountylead.com/despite-oppos...al-funding

So did they? The article says they had the following many months to decide, but given recent events and coverage, it seems they did not use it for that purpose.

[Rolando]

My son lived in Kerreville for about a year.

That is both a sh!thole redneck town and a fast growing suburb of San Antonio.

My friend drives in from New Mexico at night. Its pretty much pitch black until he hits Kerreville, then its "sensory overload"!

[Lemon Drop2]

Camp Mystic did a $5m renovation in 2019. They knew that flood maps showed many low elevation sleeping cabins were in "extremely hazardous" flood zones, but built there anyway.  Then chose those cabins for the youngest campers.

Humans somehow still, despite all the detailed scientific info available to us, can't grapple well with remote risks.  We need rules and regs (aka government) to save us from ourselves. 

All of the decision-makers and owners, plus county officials who approved or ignored what the camp was doing,  are guilty of mass manslaughter.  Prison would be appropriate. 

Gift link to ugly details: 

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025...D6Lf9MvDUY&smid=nytcore-android-share

[ThePosterFormallyKnownasbfd]

Apparently, the camp must've ignored the old "wise man built his house upon a rock" ditty even as they had the kids singing it around the campfires.

[August West]

Humans somehow still, despite all the detailed scientific info available to us, can't grapple well with remote risks.

Amen, Sister.

[Acer]

So much paycheck protection funding went straight into owners pockets with zero oversight. I fail to see how a county spending its COVID relief on a emergency communication system would have even the absolute remotest possibility of being an inappropriate use of the funds. Well, at least under a Democratic president.

[RAMd®d]

It was no big deal when it happened before, why would we think it would be now?  .


Not any direct quote, but I imagine it's a prevalent mindset.

It would be interesting to see where every dollar of that $10M went.

So it wasn't deemed appropriated for a river flood alert system, what COVID use did it see?