Tarrant County votes to eliminate Human Services Department, outsource its work
Tarrant County commissioners voted to disband the county’s human services department Tuesday.
The 4-1 vote eliminates the 25-position department. Instead, Tarrant County will outsource the work of the department, which provides temporary financial assistance to individuals and families for rent, mortgage, utilities, hygiene items and transportation, according to commissioners.
Commissioners argued that eliminating the department would allow for more funding to go directly to Tarrant County residents in need. Last year, the human services department distributed $1,031,881 to residents. Commissioners estimated that eliminating the department would save the county nearly $1.8 million and allow another $1 million to be distributed to the community.
Most years, the department expected to distribute $2 million to the community, but on average left $994,000 unspent at the end of each year, said Helen Giese, director of the county’s Budget and Risk Management Department. Commissioners who voted to disband the department argued that that money could be better distributed by community partners.
“The goal should be to get as much services in the hands of the citizens as possible,” said Commissioner Manny Ramirez.
The county is required by law to continue its deceased pauper program, which is being transferred to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office. But the department’s other responsibilities will be outsourced to nonprofits and community organizations, Giese said. The county would issue requests for proposals and then hire organizations to distribute the funds later this year. An advisory committee would be appointed by commissioners to review groups’ proposals for how to distribute the money, Giese said.
Giese said the proposal to eliminate the department originated when the budget and risk management department began looking at various departments to find ways to save money.
Democratic Commissioner Alisa Simmons, the lone vote against ending the department, began raising alarm bells about the elimination last month, when she alleged the agency was being eliminated without a public vote or discussion. The department’s employees reportedly received a letter June 24 that said the department would lose funding when the fiscal year ends Sept. 30.
Simmons argued the county should reform the department instead of eliminating it.
“True efficiency would be to improve operations to serve more people at a lower cost, not abandon a mission entirely,” she said.
Simmons began the meeting by recognizing seven human services employees who are retiring.
Sharon Downs, who has worked for the department since 1994, said the position was more than a paycheck.
“I always felt that it wasn’t just a job, it wasn’t just a title, it was an assignment that I would line myself up with a passion to serve people,” she said.
“I’m crying today because I see a part of my life ceasing,” said Eric Boatner, who worked for the department for 30 years.
This story was originally published August 5, 2025 at 1:32 PM.
