ETCOG Board of Directors to Consider $90.6M Budget for Fiscal Year 2027 | |
ETCOG will hold its 110th semi-annual Board of Directors Meeting on Thursday, September 24th, at Rowdy Creek Ranch in Gilmer, Texas, from 11:45 a.m. to approximately 2:00 p.m. The Board will consider, among other items, the budget and planning guide for ETCOG operations for the fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027). The proposed budget is the largest in agency history, totaling $90,660,022, reflecting an increase of $4,606,656.
The majority of this increase is reflected in the Public Safety Division, which includes $3,032,757 for new equipment at the 9-1-1 call centers, representing a 54% increase from the prior year’s funding. Additionally, Quality Child Care funding increased by $2,351,397, or 5% compared to the prior year due to the Texas Rising Star program.
Projected program area revenue totals for the new budget year are:
• Area Agency on Aging - $5,053,800
• Public Safety - $6,738,564
• Transportation - $12,243,014
• Workforce & Economic Development - $66,130,483
• GIS & Regional Technology Solutions - $210,447
• General Fund - $283,714
The meeting agenda includes the Chairman's report on the year's accomplishments, the election of Executive Committee members and officers, discussion and approval of the FY 2027 budget, the presentation of the Chairman's Service Award, and recognition of our current Chairman, Whitehouse Mayor James Wansley, for his service.
“ETCOG exists to give local leaders a place to work together on regional challenges, and we are trusted to manage state and federal funds and programs with accountability. Our balanced FY 2027 budget reflects the priorities of East Texas communities and ensures continued support for workforce, aging, public safety, and transportation services. I look forward to presenting the budget to our Board on Thursday, and thanking Chairman Wansley for his extraordinary service,” said David Cleveland, Executive Director of ETCOG.
| | ETCOG Director Helps Build Understanding Through Friendship with International Peace Program | | |
This summer, ETCOG Director of Aging Programs Adrian Cornejo welcomed an extraordinary experience into his home through his volunteer work with Creating Friendships for Peace (CFP).
For one month, Adrian hosted two students from Cyprus, Michael and Derin, who came to East Texas through the CFP program. During their stay, the students shared a room in Adrian’s home, experienced daily life in the region, shadowed Adrian at ETCOG, and attended an ETCOG Executive Committee meeting.
Creating Friendships for Peace brings young people from communities affected by longstanding divisions together for cultural exchange, dialogue, and relationship-building. Cyprus has been divided for decades between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, with a history of conflict and mistrust that can shape how young people see those from the other side of the island.
Adrian said the experience gave him a deeply personal view of how division can affect young people and how meaningful it can be when they have the opportunity to connect outside of those divisions.
“What I witnessed through these young men was difficult to process,” Adrian said. “Each of their societies has, in different ways, instilled distrust, division, and even hatred toward people on the ‘other side.’ Perhaps the most heartbreaking part is hearing that this begins when they are children.”
| | ETCOG is Now Accepting Applications for Veteran-Friendly Community Designation | | |
ETCOG announces it will soon accept applications for the 2026 Veteran-Friendly Community Designation Program. Applications will be open from Monday, August 31, 2026, through Friday, November 27, 2026.
This initiative recognizes East Texas communities within ETCOG’s 14-county region that go above and beyond in supporting veterans and their families. ETCOG serves Anderson, Camp, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Marion, Panola, Rains, Rusk, Smith, Upshur, Van Zandt, and Wood counties.
The Veteran-Friendly Community Designation program recognizes communities that actively welcome and support veterans and their families by meeting real needs in everyday life, including employment, housing, transportation, health care, education, and overall quality of life.
Since the program launched, ETCOG has recognized several East Texas communities for their commitment to veterans. In 2025, ETCOG designated the City of Tyler/Smith County and the City of Quitman/Wood County as the program’s inaugural Veteran-Friendly Communities. Last year, ETCOG awarded the designation to the City of Longview and the City of Winnsboro.
“Veterans have given much in service to our country, and strong communities help them successfully transition back to civilian life. The Veteran-Friendly Community Designation is a badge of honor that signifies a city is committed to providing veterans with the respect, resources, and support they deserve,” said ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland.
| | Free Benefits & Estate Planning Presentation Set for September 17 | |
The Area Agency on Aging of East Texas is partnering with First Christian Church in Jacksonville to offer a free Benefits & Estate Planning Presentation for Seniors and Caregivers.
The informative workshop will be held Thursday, September 17, from 10 a.m. to noon at the First Christian Church Sanctuary, 1920 Beaumont Street in Jacksonville.
Presented by Paul Zambie, Managing Attorney with Texas Legal Services Center, the session will help attendees better understand legal and planning issues that can affect older adults and their families. Topics will include wills and trusts, deeds, transfer-on-death deeds, long-term care Medicaid, Medicaid estate recovery, and senior services.
This free presentation is designed to give seniors and caregivers practical information to help prepare for life’s challenges and make informed decisions about the future.
For more information, contact the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas at 903-218-6500 or 1-800-442-8845, or visit www.easttexasaaa.org.
| | ETCOG Receives $175,000 Grant to Continue Veterans Transportation Through GoBus | | |
The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) has received a $175,000 grant from the Texas Veterans Commission to continue transportation services for veterans through its rural transit district, GoBus.
The funding is part of more than $3.3 million in Texas Veterans Commission grants awarded this month to 13 veteran-service organizations across East Texas. Statewide, the commission awarded $40.8 million to organizations helping veterans and their families access critical services.
For many veterans in rural East Texas, reliable transportation can be a barrier to medical appointments, employment, education, grocery stores, social service programs, and other essential destinations. The grant will help GoBus continue providing transportation options that support veterans’ independence and connection to the services they need.
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Learn All About GoBus at Our Next GoBus 101 Workshop!
Want to learn more about the service GoBus has to offer? Join us for our upcoming 101 Workshop series, held at 10:00 a.m. at ETCOG, 3800 Stone Rd., in Kilgore
Register here: ETCOG's GoBus 101 Workshop
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TxCDBG Manual Update & Workshops
The TxCDBG Project Implementation Manual has been updated and released, effective for all open grants as of September 1, 2026.
The manual and upcoming workshops are available at www.etcog.org/community-development
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Hiring Red, White, & You!
Save the date! This statewide initiative connects veterans, transitioning service members, and their families with employers who value their experience and commitment.
Join us on November 10, 2026, at the Tyler Workforce Center.
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Celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Join us as we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, from 9–11:30 a.m. at the Workforce Solutions East Texas Center, 1421 S. Beckham Avenue in Tyler. This year’s theme, “Celebrating Value and Talent,” recognizes the skills and contributions people with disabilities bring to East Texas workplaces.
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Medicare Open Enrollment Assistance Available
Remember: Open Enrollment happens from October 15 – December 7 and is the time each year when seniors can make changes to their Medicare coverage. ETCOG’s Area Agency on Aging has free assistance from Certified Benefits Counselors available to help navigate choosing a plan that best suits an individual’s needs.
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