[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6672600,"mediaKeyId","2121788-a0d7043166d894d98aedc0bfc3bb75e0","parentId",2121788,"title","Court approves $6.12 million energy-assistance contract and Community Services Block Grant","audioSeconds",85,"startMs",2660000,"endMs",2745000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2121788-a0d7043166d894d98aedc0bfc3bb75e0&start=2660&end=2745","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2121788-a0d7043166d894d98aedc0bfc3bb75e0/thumbnail_2660000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6672600/Hidalgo-County/Texas/Court-approves-612-million-energy-assistance-contract-and-Community-Services-Block-Grant","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6672600-317412f90bc17534af40756f40bfb6a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153998&Signature=ZOCHtaCOVFPyVKrCdm3Rq2SQTyuA1298APIgwZgkcwevFLOjEDnuMlVwAw1g6rOCZMsiQVQ6NIfO6Dwuv0SFSuEbWz8ERzGvLHQdpiJGP00EdPVszjKD5aqPACj8h0~M702SBlVd47z~oQcetD-vsMNQFxw5vssMGQsc1vuHAh5XOoFPsTPazTpmxlYz7S24NFcMAdA3ZL6rzcFsnAAE8Bkh7AQp9AcXryuzjbMFpjVJdmcZ7mrdqeD2hLwY06P7Uoq5ce2oUbXaSgADvKp1l1V4Vtfyjajd4qCIAVpCfSX9zIX3BbiYvKAKdzGxkPhWxg2es-t6g5NpDdcFBj8cIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hidalgo","date","2025-01-16T00:00:00Z","article","Hidalgo County Commissioners Court approved the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CF contract 58250004389) for fiscal year 2025 in the amount of $6,119,204 and the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) contract 6125004355 in the amount of $479,260. The court authorized Jaime Longoria (or his designee) to electronically sign all required documents for both contracts.

Why it matters: The energy-assistance contract will fund heating, cooling and emergency-energy supports for eligible households across Hidalgo County; the CSBG supports local anti-poverty and community-service programs. Together, the awards represent major county social-services funding for 2025.

Marie Garza presented the items on behalf of Jaime Longoria and told the court the contracts come from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. The court approved both contracts by voice vote.

Details recorded in the minutes:

- Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CF contract 58250004389): amount stated in the record $6,119,204; authorization for Jaime Longoria to electronically sign documents.

- Community Services Block Grant (CSBG contract 6125004355): amount stated in the record $479,260; authorization for Jaime Longoria to electronically sign documents.

The record shows the county has also expanded in-person application intake and plans to begin accepting up to 500 online applications beginning Feb. 1 (announcement recorded during the same agenda segment). The court approved the contracts by voice vote; the minutes do not include roll-call tallies.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hidalgo - Commissioner's Court - Jan 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Hidalgo County Commissioners Court approved a $6,119,204 Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program contract and a $479,260 CSBG contract for fiscal year 2025, authorizing department staff to sign documents and proceed with program implementation.","taxTitle","Hidalgo County, Texas","taxId",2708,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6672603,"Commissioners honor Dr. John P. Renaud for 47 years in academia and UTRGV service",304,661000,965000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2121788-a0d7043166d894d98aedc0bfc3bb75e0&start=661&end=965","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2121788-a0d7043166d894d98aedc0bfc3bb75e0/thumbnail_661000.jpg","/articles/6672603/Hidalgo-County/Texas/Commissioners-honor-Dr-John-P-Renaud-for-47-years-in-academia-and-UTRGV-service","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6672603-8212690bac46e9cc572fdd873a565bde/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153998&Signature=Nsxrx7gX~EIXLhZs71H4XKyseRwm11z4JFnyJ-JqCBuUtdLcy61UmUXxqzmLcTmBZzvwG3rUgPuaf9icbDBr1mKOCR-2K74i9uERIYa1F2im3AUwMibVP8l~xwOg7Ow8NRhFWxMvYrgRsoUh7WP5aADKZS5NrscQL2Y8JQFtHMEnYalrj8a5YD9QLx6iBVtzEnX3s4BRjk0WrWD~-qJNRLgiCFHFcPG4zJ3sZWUAm-4ubx9bQokpI3AtVRGOkRIhbgtL~2nILgYPCkQ1wHP-2Ud7pf0t8hqp7yfBh6VOS8mkF4EigTKWhGVJrbDLdFXRAx1F5V1EejIA6wTSZno6VA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hidalgo County Commissioners Court issued a proclamation recognizing Dr. John P. Renaud for his 47-year academic career and his service to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine, marking his retirement effective Jan. 1, 2025.

Why it matters: The proclamation highlights local-university partnerships and an Area Health Education Center (AHEC) grant that targets increased access to primary health care in rural and underserved communities within the county.

Doctor John P. Renaud, identified in the proclamation as senior associate dean for community health partnerships and principal investigator for the AHEC program grant at UTRGV, received the proclamation in the courtroom. The text of the proclamation, read on the record, notes Renaud's recruitment to UTRGV in 2012, his prior roles in health-sciences education, and that he was principal investigator on a five-year, $3,750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to increase primary-care access in rural and underserved areas including parts of Hidalgo County.

Speaking after the court read the proclamation, Dr. Renaud said he appreciated the recognition and emphasized the role of community partnership. \"This is just another beginning,\" Renaud said, adding that community trust and local partners were essential to the work. He also quipped about his age in a light-hearted remark: \"I just turned 50 last night. So, fast learner.\" The court heard brief remarks from Hector Trejo, a UTRGV medical student who said, \"On behalf of the medical school, the community, and also San Carlos, we thank you for your leadership,\" and asked Renaud to enjoy a \"restful and enriching retirement.\"

The proclamation also thanked community partners by name (including San Carlos community leaders) and cited Renaud's record of grants and publications and his Peace Corps service in Guatemala. The court approved the proclamation by voice vote.","The Hidalgo County Commissioners Court presented a proclamation honoring Dr. John P. Renaud upon his retirement from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, citing his leadership in community health partnerships and a $3.75 million AHEC grant.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6672608,"Commissioners approve multiple contracts, grants and funding items in routine session",2555,145000,2700000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2121788-a0d7043166d894d98aedc0bfc3bb75e0&start=145&end=2700","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2121788-a0d7043166d894d98aedc0bfc3bb75e0/thumbnail_145000.jpg","/articles/6672608/Hidalgo-County/Texas/Commissioners-approve-multiple-contracts-grants-and-funding-items-in-routine-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6672608-2b82e7e9f265694c4cc574c5b5f983ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153998&Signature=W9aJXmLrK5m4AV25H238Sl8Jbtv88pYm6q4Sv2MiplycOGZ55AF9DU7kTsPoSYzL-YdxLxABdyP09gow8j2CA2Qvwt~wTud2AVXC0VdubkydSBL7SA-k3DS4lHCJNaZa3eMKPbUvCzOexl2GR6CUUyrST92F1AbimIGRVzyuiNEZWB5G83fC9H6j7-ugcANDrNe85cYf3zwKcSqSGmORqm3jA3JHRpQyZm-lxf7VNkQmcUaFO-D4rFkwwZ1GIsuHcpFlfyJ1fYMu1c3cZLtTSC4O3kCOKho3mFXw5Y59AmZVatUy62DpIs6VatEWdTQP2ZnhzLxG3Dd8tDtTJuYMUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hidalgo County Commissioners Court on a routine agenda approved a series of contracts, grant applications and funding allocations, including authorization to proceed on a veterans office acquisition and approval of a $6,119,204 comprehensive energy-assistance contract and a $479,260 Community Services Block Grant.

Why it matters: The actions move county spending and program authority forward for social services, public safety grants, infrastructure procurement and legal settlements that affect how the county delivers services and manages funds in 2025.

The court voted, without recorded roll-call tallies in the minutes, on a number of largely uncontested items. Among the approvals recorded in the public portion of the meeting:

- Approval of the consent agenda and related finance/operational items.

- Authorization for county staff to negotiate a letter of engagement with TRB Capital Markets LLC for financial advisory services, subject to final legal review (agenda item referenced by procurement staff). Outcome: motion carried.

- Approval of closing documents for a partial closing related to 2018 bond project number 35 (Southwest Weslaco), with authorization for the court chair to execute the documents subject to final legal review. Outcome: motion carried; Commissioner Fuentes recorded as abstaining from discussion or action on this item.

- Authorization to advertise and approve procurement documents and specifications for Edinburg Drainage Improvement Phase 2 (2018 MOD, project listed with RFB ACD1250060121ez). Outcome: motion carried.

- Approval of payment application number 1 from Gonzales Engineering pertaining to construction contract C (Mission–McAllen drain project). The payment amount in the transcript is unclear; the minutes record approval of the application. Outcome: motion carried.

- After a closed session, the court authorized county counsel to proceed on the item discussed in executive session and recorded action directing Mr. Saccine to proceed as discussed in closed session. Outcome: motion carried.

- The court authorized moving forward as directed in closed session with acquisition of a building for the Veterans Service Office. Outcome: motion carried.

- The court authorized the county judge and county staff to sign settlement documents in Courthouse News Service v. La Arenaosa (U.S. District Court) and assigned an EEOC charge (Francisco Sanchez v. Hidalgo County) to the district attorney's civil litigation division for handling. Outcome: motions carried.

- Interlocal cooperation: the court approved a first amendment extension to the interlocal agreement with the City of Mercedes for emergency medical services (ambulance) for a one-year extension under existing terms. Outcome: motion carried.

- Public-safety and grant applications: the court approved authorization to apply for Operation Stone Garden (homeland security) grant for Constable Precinct 2 and several district-attorney grant applications administered through the Office of the Governor (criminal justice and victim-services programs). Outcome: motions carried.

- Purchasing and procurement actions: the court accepted the best-and-final offer and authorized negotiation and award steps for actuarial services and for direct primary care services, ranking Frontier Health as the number-one vendor and authorizing the purchasing department to negotiate a final agreement. Outcome: motions carried.

- Community services: the court approved the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program CF contract 58250004389 for fiscal year 2025 with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs in the amount of $6,119,204 and approved the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) contract 6125004355 in the amount of $479,260; Jaime Longoria was authorized to electronically sign contract documents. Outcome: motions carried.

- Cultural funding: the court approved the annual funding agreement with the Museum of South Texas History in the amount of $610,000 and funding agreements of $10,000 each for the Donna, Mission and McAllen heritage museums. Outcome: motions carried.

What the record shows: Most motions were made, seconded and approved by voice vote with the minutes recording \"All in favor, say aye. Aye. Motion carries.\" Where abstentions were mentioned, the minutes show the official abstaining but do not show a formal roll-call breakdown in the public minutes.

Outstanding clarifications: Several agenda items in the transcript include identifiers and amounts that were either abbreviated or inconsistently rendered in the record (for example, a construction payment line showing numbers in the audio transcript that are unclear). The minutes record approvals but do not include detailed roll-call vote tallies for most items.","The Hidalgo County Commissioners Court approved a series of contracts, grant applications and funding allocations, including a $6.12 million energy-assistance contract, museum funding and several public-safety and procurement actions. Several items were handled after a closed session; no contested votes were recorded in the public minutes.","actionData","errors"]

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Court approves $6.12 million energy-assistance contract and Community Services Block Grant

Commissioners honor Dr. John P. Renaud for 47 years in academia and UTRGV service

Commissioners approve multiple contracts, grants and funding items in routine session