This interview was recorded at the Henderson County Courthouse Annex on July 21, 2021.
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(NOTE: There was a fan running in the room while the podcast was recorded. We apologize for the background sound.)
This week's episode includes a COVID-19 status update for the county plus Judge Wade McKinney discussing the $16 million the county is getting as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). Joining the judge is Michael V. Hannigan.
I. COVID Stats Rising (1:20)
There has been an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Henderson County's region in the past couple of weeks. Hospitalizations have once again moved into triple digits in our TSA.
As of the time of this recording, there were 132 hospitalized COVID patients in the region.
Reminder: Texas is separated into 22 regions called Trauma Service Areas, or TSAs, for hospital data. Henderson County's region is designated TSA-G and includes Tyler/Longview. TSA-G includes about 960,000 people.
Judge McKinney pointed out that at our highest levels in January, hospitalizations were in the 600s.
"We're not near those levels," he said.
II. Delta Variant (5:55)
One characteristic marking the current spike is the speed at which it is spreading. Henderson County Jail has gone from zero to 44 cases in about a week, according to Sheriff Botie Hillhouse.
Although state reports aren't specifically identifying the number of Delta variant cases, the assumption is most of the new cases are of that variety.
"The Delta variant is much more contagious is what we've been told," said Judge McKinney.
III. Vaccinations (7:37)
According to reports, vaccinations are working. This doesn't mean people who are vaccinated can't get COVID, but rather that if they do they won't get as sick.
Even with these reports, there is still "vaccine hesitancy" among the population, particularly in the rural regions of the state.
About 30 percent of Henderson County residents who are 16 and over have been vaccinated and that number is similar to surrounding counties.
"That number seems to be holding in our region, that about 30 percent have chosen to be vaccinated," said Judge McKinney.
The numbers seem to be higher for older residents.
IV. County to Get $16M (18:10)
Henderson County is set to receive $16 million in federal funds as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). These funds are "to respond to the Covid-19 public health emergency and its economic impacts."
Judge McKinney shared a detailed presentation with Commissioners Court last week describing this program. You can watch that presentation below starting at the 25:03 mark.
These funds can be used in a limited number of areas, Judge McKinney said, which means Commissioners Court will have to make some decisions. Those include:
Responding to the public health emergency or negative economic impact.
Responding to essential workers with premium pay.
Responding to a reduction in revenue to local government.
Allowing for necessary investment in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure.
While those terms seem very broad, Judge McKinney said there's already a 200-page "interim final rule" with details and requirements. That led to the first decision, which was to find a firm to help keep everything on track and do all the federal reporting.
"This is not a short-term project," he said, "this has until 2026 to be completed. It is a long-term project and takes some professional reporting."
Expect to hear plenty more about ARPA funds in the coming months.
NEWSLETTER: Get updates from the Sheriff’s Office, Commissioners Court, the District Attorney, County Attorney, and all departments from your Henderson County Government.
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