The American Red Cross serving Central and South Texas has a Preparedness series of classes on Thursdays at 2pm.

This Thursday, June 25, 2020 at 2 pm learn How to Build a Go Kit.  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has reported multiple climate factors indicating above-normal hurricane activity this disaster season. Make sure that you and your family have everything you need to make it through a survival situation. Take the online class to learn what you need to create a basic Emergency Disaster Kit or “Go Bag”. Join the Teams Class here.
(BR3T also has Emergency Survival Kits for sale on our website.)

July 9, 2PM. Learn about Hurricane Preparedness. Join the Teams class here.

July 16, 2PM. Learn about Home Fire Safety. Join the Teams class here.

July 23, 2PM. Learn about Flooding. Join the Teams class here.

Natural disasters will continue to happen, even while we battle COVID-19. Prepare yourself during the 2020 Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday for emergencies that can cause physical damage like hurricanes, flash floods and wildfires. You can purchase certain emergency preparation supplies tax free during the sales tax holiday. There is no limit on the number of qualifying items you can purchase, and you do not need to give an exemption certificate to claim the exemption.

This year’s holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, and ends at midnight on Monday, April 27.

Online purchases and telephone orders
To encourage social distancing, the Texas Comptroller’s office wants all taxpayers to know that during the Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday, the sale of emergency preparation supplies purchased online or by telephone, mail, custom order, or any other means other than in person qualifies for sales tax exemption when either

the item is both delivered to, and paid for, by the customer during the exemption period; or
the customer orders and pays for the item and the retailer accepts the order during the exemption period for immediate shipment, even if delivery is made after the exemption period.
A retailer accepts an order when the retailer has acted to fill the order for immediate shipment.

An order is for immediate shipment regardless of whether the shipment is delayed due to a backlog of orders, or because stock is currently unavailable to, or on back order by, the retailer.

In-store purchases
The Comptroller strongly encourages all taxpayers buying emergency preparation supplies at their local retailers during the sales tax holiday to practice appropriate social distancing as described in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

These emergency preparation supplies qualify for tax exemption if purchased for a sales price:
Less than $3000
Portable generators
Less than $300
Emergency ladders
Hurricane shutters
Less than $75
Axes
Batteries, single or multipack (AAA cell, AA cell, C cell, D cell, 6 volt or 9 volt)
Can openers – nonelectric
Carbon monoxide detectors
Coolers and ice chests for food storage – nonelectric
Fire extinguishers
First aid kits
Fuel containers
Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits
Hatchets
Ice products – reusable and artificial
Light sources – portable self-powered (including battery operated)
Examples of items include: candles, flashlights and lanterns
Mobile telephone batteries and mobile telephone chargers
Radios – portable self-powered (including battery operated) – includes two-way and weather band radios
Smoke detectors
Tarps and other plastic sheeting
Note: Several over-the-counter self-care items, such as antibacterial hand sanitizer, soap, spray and wipes, are always exempt from sales tax if they are labeled with a “Drug Facts” panel in accordance with federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations.

These supplies do not qualify for tax exemption:
Medical masks and face masks
Cleaning supplies, such as disinfectants and bleach wipes
Gloves, including leather, fabric, latex and types used in healthcare
Toilet paper
Batteries for automobiles, boats and other motorized vehicles
Camping stoves
Camping supplies
Chainsaws
Plywood
Extension ladders
Stepladders
Tents
Repair or replacement parts for emergency preparation supplies
Services performed on, or related to, emergency preparation supplies
Additional Charges Affect Purchase Price
Delivery, shipping, handling and transportation charges are part of the sales price. If the emergency preparation supply being purchased is taxable, the delivery charge is also taxable. Consider these charges when determining whether an emergency preparation supply can be purchased tax free during the holiday.

For example, you purchase a rescue ladder for $299 with a $10 delivery charge, for a total sales price of $309. Because the total sales price of the ladder is more than $300, tax is due on the $309 sales price.

For more information, contact Texas State Comptroller Tax Help, or call 1-800-252-5555.

News article on Proposition 8 Town Hall.

The deadly Iconic Apartment fire on July 20, 2018 moved the entire San Marcos community to action; they responded with an outpouring of support. BR3T accepted over $63,000 in donations. From these generous donations, BR3T distributed every dollar back to the families, to those injured, and to those with unmet needs. BR3T was able to provide support, limited case management, and referrals to the residents and families.

Thomas Monahan, Executive Director of the Blanco River Regional Recovery Team (BR3T), is reminding all survivors of the May and October 2015 floods in Hays, Blanco, Caldwell, and Guadalupe counties that help is still available if they have flood-related needs that were not taken care of by other means. “Even with federal and nonprofit assistance to homeowners and renters, there are still some survivors who need help rebuilding homes and furnishing them,” Monahan said. “The BR3T has a program in place to help those without other resources rebuild their lives.”

Family Endeavors, a national, nonprofit agency with a staff now located in Central Texas, is assisting the BR3T with case management in the four-county BR3T area. By calling 512-842-9008 a flood survivor can make an appointment to have a Family Endeavors staff member visit and discuss your needs. “If you are living in a damaged home, or can’t move back into your home because of damage, or if you need furnishings for your home because of flood damage, I encourage you to call,” Monahan said.

Thomas Monahan, Executive Director of the Blanco River Regional Recovery Team (BR3T), is encouraging residents of Blanco, Caldwell, Guadalupe and Hays Counties to step up and help the recovery effort by volunteering to serve on one of several committees formed to help survivors of the 2015 floods rebuild their homes and lives.

“Our committees play a key role in making the recovery effort run smoothly, and in reality it will take only a small time commitment for you to make an impact,” Monahan said. “Most committees meet only twice a month, and much of the work is done by phone or email.”

Volunteer Committee members work with the Committee Chair to recruit volunteers and locate and assign housing for the volunteers who come to our area to help rebuild houses for flood survivors.

Donations/Fundraising committee members assist with researching grant opportunities, writing grants and developing fundraising activities and events.

Construction committee members help with scheduling the volunteers who rebuild homes and will spend a few hours each week visiting construction sites to check on worker needs and progress.

Case Management is crucial to ensuring that those with flood-related needs get the help they need to rebuild their lives. Committee members work directly with flood survivors to help evaluate their needs and refer them to the necessary resources.

Volunteers must complete a three-day training course and commit to working 10 hours per week with flood survivors as well as attend two meetings per month. Volunteers with the Public Information Committee work with all committee chairs to help publicize needs and events, answer media questions, and write press releases and social media posts.

The BR3T office staff is available to answer any questions you have about serving on any of the committees. Call 512-677-9701 during business hours or email BlancoRiverRegional@gmail.com.

The Blanco River Regional Recovery Team is celebrating National Preparedness Month by introducing a new program “Prepare in a Year”. This program breaks the concept and process of personal preparedness into 52 weekly steps that individuals can take to become better prepared for disaster. This program walks participants through the process of developing a family preparedness plan, building a disaster kit, understanding disaster safety and first aid, training and integration of individual plans into improving overall community preparedness. It is loosely based off a concept developed in the Northwest, but is specifically adapted to the risk and challenges of Central Texas.

Each week, a preparedness message will be released on its weekly newsletter and can be followed at https://prepare365.blogspot.com/. For more information, contact Richard Hildreth, BR3T’s Communications VISTA at Richbr3T@aol.com or 253-347-8514

The BR3T office staff is available to answer any questions you have about serving on any of the committees. Call 512-677-9701 during business hours or email BlancoRiverRegional@gmail.com.