Grants received by City of Hondo tops $1.1 million in 2025

By Rosanne Fohn

Anvil Herald Reporter

Hondo city departments are teaming up to stretch budget dollars by applying for grants. It appears the city’s grant funds could possibly reach $1 million.

At a recent city council meeting, City Manager John Naron reported that grants totals are looking up, and Chief Finance Officer Chris Hill noted Wednesday two more grants that bring the total funds to approximately $1.1 million, with three months left before Aug. 31, the end of the fiscal year. 

“The city manager and city staff have been very aggressive in searching for and receiving grants to supplement department capital projects and necessary police and library expenses. We recorded over $1.2 million in grants last fiscal year and we hope to exceed that amount this fiscal year,” Hill said in a recent interview.

Topping the list is $559,386.73 received by the Hondo Police Department, followed by a $308,000 grant for a stormwater master plan, at least $150,000 for the Homeowner Reconstruction Assistance Program and $4,679.40 for the Hondo Public Library.

The Police Department received: 

• $393,663 from the Office of the Governor’s Lone Star Grant Program for a variety of things including overtime, training, laptops, an all-terrain vehicle and trailer, patrol vehicle, fuel and vehicle maintenance; 

• $75,000 from the Office of the Governor for a fully outfitted K9 vehicle;

• $43,000 from the Texas Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority for license plate cameras and a subscription to receive the data; 

• $42,722 from the Home Security Grant Program’s Operation Stone Garden fund for overtime to assist with border security operations and illegal activity within the city limits, and license plate recognition software; and

• $5,000 from the Office of the Governor’s Crime Stoppers Assistance Fund for general operating funds. 

Hazard mitigation

The city was awarded $308,157 from the Texas Department of Emergency Management’s Hazard Mitigation Grant for a stormwater master plan. “That is underway at approximately 10% complete,” Hill said.

HOME program

The city received $150,000 for the reconstruction of a home to be completed in June. The Homeowner Reconstruction Assistance program provides funds to tear down and rebuild the homes of qualifed citizens who live in substandard housing.

According to Jamie Kindred, director of public relations and recreation who manages the program, $150,000 is allotted for each home. Several more homes are expected to be worked on this calendar year.

“We budgeted for up to four homes, which is $600,000 in grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing,” Hill said. 

Hondo Public Library

• The library received two grants from the American Library Association in collaboration with Capital One. One supported five WiFi hot spots for patrons to check out, providing a savings to the library of $2,279.40. 

The library also received $2,000 to fund several programs that touch on digital literacy, financial literacy and a program of the library’s choice. 

In addition, the Texas Commission on the Arts provided $400 to pay half the salary of a touring performer for the Summer Reading Program, Library Director Elsie Purcell said.

Prevention

Assistant Finance Director Olivia Hancock added that the city was successful in receiving $68,966.77 for a Department of Energy GRID Resiliency Grant Award. The funds will be used by the Electric Division for tree trimming throughout Hondo to avoid contact between trees and power lines. The grant can be renewed up to three years.

Fitness

The city also received a $50,000 grant from the National Fitness Campaign to build an outdoor fitness court. City council will decide soon whether to build the court, which will require matching funds.

Several other major grants have been applied for and could be awarded before the fiscal year is complete. 

Naron said he is “very proud” of the work the new city grants committee is doing; however, he added, “While grants can provide valuable support for projects, they are not a complete solution for infrastructure repair. At best, they help subsidize portions of our maintenance and operations budget. We work hard to stretch every tax dollar and prioritize high-impact projects when possible. But ultimately, neither the state nor federal government can replace the tough local decisions we must make — especially when it comes to necessary tax or utility rate increases.”