Coronavirus: WilCo Judge To Donate Mask Supplies After Backlash

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — After facing backlash for seeking reimbursement for supplies used by volunteers in the making of protective face coverings largely for first responders amid the new coronavirus outbreak, county judge Bill Gravell on Tuesday said he would donate the goods he bought at three Hobby Lobby stores.

Gravell — the county's chief budget officer by virtue of his position — bought $8,263.24 in sewing supplies for the so-called "Mask Brigade" comprising volunteers making masks for first responders and other populations vulnerable to infection. During the remote meeting of the Williamson County Commssioners Court meeting on Zoom, Gravell said he is no longer seeking to be reimbursed for the cost.

“That is a gift that my wife and I will be giving because we believe in Williamson County," Gravell said, without explaining why he formally asked for reimbursement in the form of taxpayer funds to begin with. Formed in mid-March, the Mask Brigade has been accepting donated supplies from community members to make the protective facial coverings for those on the frontlines of pandemic.

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According to an itemized list Gravell submitted as part of his reimbursement request, the purchased supplies included fabric, scissors, piping and other items purchased at three separate Hobby Lobby stores in the county. Gravell indicated he had paid for the items with a personal check because the stores' credit card machines were offline given the retail chain's temporary closures, but copies of the canceled check or checks were not provided as part of the reimbursement request.

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Gravell made the purchase without first consulting the commissioners.

Gravell (top right) said during a virtual meeting of the commissioners court he intended to donate supplies to the Mask Brigade all along, even though documents show he sought $8,263.24 in reimbursement. Screen shot by Tony Cantú/Patch staff.

“It’s a gift that we will make, and that will mean that everything the mask brigade has done is through volunteers and donations," Gravell said. The reason he placed the item on the agenda (as the 40th item to be discussed) was less to seek reimbursement than to challenge other community members to donate to the Mask Brigade, Gravell suggested.

"What I would like to do [for] agenda item No. 40 is absolutely nothing other than challenge our community and elected officials," he said. His now-donated supplies are meant to prompt residents to ask: "What gift can you make back to Williamson County?" he asked rhetorically.