City-County Cooperation Award WInners for 2006

City of Somerville and Burleson County

The City of Somerville and Burleson County health resource center has improved access to health care in more than 2,000 cases, provided over 500 van transports to facilities, and saved taxpayers money by decreasing the number of expensive hospital emergency room visits by the uninsured. Located at the southern end of Burleson County, Somerville lacked health care services, particularly for the lower-income population. The county, city, and Somerville school district joined forces to open the health resource center, where numerous providers make available health services that previously were out of reach for many.

City of Weatherford and Parker County

The City of Weatherford and Parker County special crimes unit has made 370 major crime arrests and taken more than $1.7 million worth of illegal drugs off the streets. The county and city stepped in to plug a gap in law enforcement that occurred in 2005 with the disbanding of a multi-county crime task force due to a loss of state funding. Using five officers, the new city-county special crimes unit has been successful in felony drug cases and theft rings, improving the community’s environment for doing business and raising families.