WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS AWARD SPRING 2026 HOT FUNDS
Washington County Commissioners voted on Tuesday to allocate nearly the entirety of hotel occupancy tax (HOT) grant fund requests for the spring 2026 cycle.
The court awarded $45,400 in HOT funds for seven requests, presented by five organizations. The funding will assist with promoting events, mitigating costs of special projects, or covering operating expenses. Six of the seven items received full funding, with the seventh getting $15 less than its full request.
That largest request came from Washington-on-the-Brazos, who sought $18,015 and was awarded $18,000 for its Texas Independence Day celebration.
The Destination Burton Association was the next-largest requestor of funds, asking for and receiving $12,800 for an integrated visitor campaign project.
The Chappell Hill Chamber of Commerce was fully funded for three items: the 4th of July celebration for $2,500, the Chappell Hill Wine and Chocolate Stroll for $2,500, and the Chappell Hill Art Walk for $1,500.
The Friendship Quilt Guild was awarded a full $5,000 for its Stars Over Texas Quilt Show. Unity Theatre’s full request of $3,100 was honored for marketing its 2025-26 season.
HOT funds are awarded twice a year, once for the fall and again for the spring, and are fulfilled based upon the review of the county’s HOT fund committee. The typical budget per cycle is $25,000.
Commissioners Misti Hartstack Corn and Kirk Hanath said all requests received this cycle were eligible, and that while this amount is more than the county usually awards, there is plenty of HOT funding available for these projects.
The past funding allocation in June for the fall 2025 cycle was $25,181 for three organizations.
Also on Tuesday, commissioners approved an engagement letter from Skelton Slusher Barnhill Watkins Wells, PLLC for legal services regarding groundwater conservation districts. Commissioner Candice Bullock said this is so the county can receive legal expertise about the districts as it continues its research and study into them.
Additionally, the court approved a request from the finance committee to terminate the county’s contract with Cadence Bank of Brenham, in accordance with the contract requirement to provide a six-month notice to Cadence.
County Treasurer Peggy Kramer said the county has been with Bank of Brenham since 2017 and had no problems whatsoever with them. However, since the merger with Cadence, she said there have been some “rough spots” with the transition, though she reiterated those issues have not been the fault of the local team, who she said has gone “above and beyond” in its support and assistance. She added that the county would need to go through another conversion next year, as Cadence transitions into Huntington Bank. Commissioner Hanath said the county has done “everything that we can to stay”, but feels it is “probably the right time to make that decision.”
In other items, the court:
- Tabled action on the county’s interlocal agreement with the City of Brenham to advocate and promote tourism programs and services, as well as the bylaws of the Tourism Advisory Board of the city and county.
- Approved 2026 annual bid items for contract mowing, culverts, bridge construction labor, fuel, oil/asphalt/emulsion, road construction materials, tires, contract hauling and emergency debris, and tree/limb removal. County Engineer Wesley Stolz noted several items that are seeing no price increase from last year and significant savings in other areas, including pre-coated topping layer on roads that is costing $75 a ton versus $95 a ton last year, which is estimated to save approximately $100,000.
- Authorized the Engineering and Development Services Department to seek bids for 2026 aviation fuel, flexible base pit and steel products, due December 30th at 11 a.m.
- Approved the 2026 renewal contract for participation in the Washington County rotation log for towing services for abandoned, impounded, junked and disabled vehicles. It also approved a resolution for the county judge to enter into contracts and participation in the rotation log for towing services for abandoned, impounded, junked and disabled vehicles with towing companies in Washington County, for the safety and protection of individuals forced into non-consent tow situations.
- Approved the 2026 SGT Texas Outlaws, Inc. right-of-way permit application.