FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 01-14-2013

March 1^st is the deadline for specific nonprofit and service organizations to apply for a special fee collected by Comal County.

When a marriage is dissolved it’s always a stressful time for the entire family.  To help combat the unfortunate circumstances that can accompany those times, the State Legislature established a $15 Family Protection Fee to be charged to each divorce case filed in District Courts in Texas.

In 2007, Comal County Commissioners Court took action to adopt Resolution 2007-31, providing a means to distribute those collected fees to support service providers and non-profit organizations that provide family violence and child abuse prevention, intervention, family strengthening, mental health counseling, legal, and marriage preservation services to families who may have experienced, or are at risk for, family violence or the abuse or neglect of a child.  A committee consisting of a member of Commissioners Court, County Auditor David Renken, District Clerk Kathy Faulkner, County Tax Assessor Cathy Talcott, and District Attorney Jennifer Tharp makes the recommendation to Commissioners Court on which organizations will receive the funds.

This year almost $8,000 in Family Protection Fees will be awarded to area service providers and non-profits. 

The process to apply for a portion of the Family Protection Fee Funds is simple for a service provider.  The organization’s board president, authorized officer or Executive Director must submit a funding request to Comal County Commissioners Court before March 1.  Funds collected in 2012 will be distributed in April 2013.

Kevin K. Webb

Commissioner Precinct 3

Comal County Commissioners Court

1297 Churchill Drive

New Braunfels, Texas 78130

Phone (830)221-1103