[{"_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",6687173,"mediaKeyId","2159036-c2907cbf642607a008263a5fc24bdb28","parentId",2159036,"title","Resident raises concerns about new courthouse inspections, drainage and tax impact; commissioners note construction still underway","audioSeconds",173,"startMs",1145000,"endMs",1318000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159036-c2907cbf642607a008263a5fc24bdb28&start=1145&end=1318","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159036-c2907cbf642607a008263a5fc24bdb28/thumbnail_1145000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6687173/Hidalgo-County/Texas/Resident-raises-concerns-about-new-courthouse-inspections-drainage-and-tax-impact-commissioners-note-construction-still-underway","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6687173-e5d2a818e7ac2f7dc617366348ca5982/orig.mp4?Expires=1770941114&Signature=em7aZo89JiX8Hq0Foe8BReseNWePP3EoRNSK9ORoqTG5ar1aY7qaeX9sXX3Sx3Fb6bu7NJr54slAT8PDy2hcfqmy0YYY~elBDAAtwcZpnaVQB~yoM0MqJQhA0xwi9Bbj8EY6M6SoCu0sXKxfxEF7k87mbg3jtZofMstKQncKMkdRLkl3EjjcriCnhY1VRbuzWjdgWYN36ag-QFX1D4-SlSnavDpaHatDqmXleqGBc2KTnY8pyvOS0f~SuCl7nb4eFUVlZ~SHNyEyn8lOy2tByoOGBRJGUpqUXiO01FEZVB0TBLDw0Aphq-MgKnpaWclSe3lqGaTmJ1eRqC14kfZAcg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hidalgo","date","2025-01-28T00:00:00Z","article","A member of the public raised a series of questions about the county’s new courthouse during the commissioners court public comment period, asking for clearer public information on inspections, unresolved exterior construction issues and the project’s cost and impact on property taxes.

The speaker identified herself on the record as Miss Fern (public commenter) and said she had reviewed prior news coverage and asked whether a city occupancy permit had been issued, whether stucco issues had been resolved and when construction would be completed. “There has not been a statement indicating that all the inspections have been completed. Was the city occupancy permit issued? Was the issue with the stucco resolved?” she asked.

Fern also told the court she believed the building is located in a natural drainage runway and that water runs from University into the courthouse parking lot; she called for clearer public disclosure of the project status and ultimate cost. “In the real world, things do not always work out as planned. So here we are in January 2025, seven years later, and the public has no idea concerning the project status or the ultimate cost,” she said. She asserted that the total cost for the facility and other county projects increased property taxes for residents.

Why it matters: Public confidence in large capital projects depends on clear reporting of inspection status, occupancy permits, outstanding construction issues and fiscal impacts. Drainage around public buildings can have safety and maintenance consequences.

What the record shows

- Public comment: Miss Fern asked that the county provide clearer public notices (newsletter or Facebook) explaining who pays for emergency service districts and the courthouse project, the project status, outstanding inspections and drainage mitigation plans.
- Commissioners did not provide a detailed timeline or technical inspection status during public comment. County staff later continued agenda business and several construction and drainage items were considered in the meeting’s project approvals.

The record contains the public comment verbatim and the court acknowledged the comment and moved on to the next agenda item. No formal action or staff directive appears on the record to respond to the specific requests for a public update or technical inspection certificate during this session.

Provenance: public comment begins with the open-forum segment recorded in the transcript where the commenter asked about occupancy permits, stucco repair and drainage into the courthouse parking lot.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hidalgo - Commissioner's Court - Jan 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A member of the public urged the court to clarify the status, costs and drainage for the new Hidalgo County courthouse, saying residents lack information about inspections and final cost; county officials recorded the comment and noted ongoing construction and outstanding inspections.","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},6687178,"County judge appoints community representative to Head Start policy council; staff says Head Start funding likely unaffected by federal pause",130,933000,1063000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159036-c2907cbf642607a008263a5fc24bdb28&start=933&end=1063","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159036-c2907cbf642607a008263a5fc24bdb28/thumbnail_933000.jpg","/articles/6687178/Hidalgo-County/Texas/County-judge-appoints-community-representative-to-Head-Start-policy-council-staff-says-Head-Start-funding-likely-unaffected-by-federal-pause","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6687178-ce4d44a75db6ebb1829657daa2594018/orig.mp4?Expires=1770941114&Signature=QIUujzUmahw3w-6Ue9GyN1blidr7l3I5-JUhiedsBkr5R6yn7zNHklnw69bPaMBsl-Rw1ndgknkTneXqbtWQdCI4C3nF4BaTRjjALi9BbPNAhl-wIwpxNiNSObvcHmlClv7THf5U2IHw-Z73zTBUF4sMn8VC4A2mXeyO45Bplw~w1y17Ty16aaQKvid--T7Gbix4Rkjy2gv-LSgP~eFqZyIMMgHMWQq-b1P5FuZtVVCKbsZGjke3uEn20KDkLC-1TxIYBB98Y4OeaG0-WVfNk4Q8Msrle6b5b1CQJ~fiTL-mH5ROZK~0UCwVaa708CoZW8IicnuSeOmsqquasTVN-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez appointed Ana Gallardo to serve as a community representative on the Hidalgo County Head Start Program Policy Council for a one-year term, and Head Start staff told the commissioners that, despite recent federal reports of funding freezes, the program expects to remain funded.

The appointment was read as item 11(a) on the agenda; Cortez said, “Well, I’m appointing Ana Gallardo,” and the court approved the appointment by voice vote.

Why it matters: The Head Start Policy Council includes community representatives who participate in program governance for a federally funded early childhood program serving low-income families. Funding uncertainty for federal programs can affect services and staffing; commissioners asked about contingency planning.

Self-assessment and federal funding status

Head Start staff presented and requested approval for the program’s self-assessment schedule, a grant requirement; the court approved the schedule. During discussion, Head Start staff reported conflicting and rapidly changing information from federal sources about a partial freeze in federal funding. The presenter stated that a federal contact had told staff the local Head Start program “will not be affected by that freeze” and indicated, “we are in a position that we'll be alright at least for 50% of the fund,” adding that staff expected additional notifications and would keep the commissioners informed.

County Judge Richard Cortez advised contingency planning: “Be sure that you have a backup plan just in case. Plan for the worst, but hope for the best,” he said.

What the record shows

- Appointment: Ana Gallardo — approved for a one-year term (motion/second and voice vote recorded).
- Self-assessment schedule: Approved; presenter noted the self-assessment is a grant requirement and that policy council members are participating.
- Funding status: Head Start presenter said current information indicates the program will not be affected by the federal freeze and that the program should be “alright at least for 50% of the fund,” and that the program would receive daily updates and keep commissioners advised.

The court voted to approve both the appointment and the self-assessment schedule. The transcript records staff cautioning that federal guidance remained under development and that staff would continue monitoring and updating the court.

Provenance: the appointment and self-assessment discussion appear in the transcript under agenda item 11 (Head Start) beginning with the staff presentation and the judge’s appointment and continuing through the question-and-answer about the federal funding status.","County Judge Richard Cortez appointed Ana Gallardo to the Hidalgo County Head Start Program Policy Council and staff reported the program is not expected to lose funding amid reports of a federal funds pause affecting other programs.",{"_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},6687181,"Commissioners, drainage board approve dozens of routine contracts, payments and grants; easement condemnation resolution cleared",3867,165000,4032000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159036-c2907cbf642607a008263a5fc24bdb28&start=165&end=4032","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159036-c2907cbf642607a008263a5fc24bdb28/thumbnail_165000.jpg","/articles/6687181/Hidalgo-County/Texas/Commissioners-drainage-board-approve-dozens-of-routine-contracts-payments-and-grants-easement-condemnation-resolution-cleared","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6687181-8be21ab20c13befa470b6defd0e8e4e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770941114&Signature=kk~xqLs67HekSwAOcTxI~tF7cGfHG3elzRiThdF-jiEgUOWIeRPlMIlCjfYGx4liGCzuQBJs5IYBdiBgXOK05Iad72yh74dsGj9ncgf8BxpZTbAqMukXDLkBgGMp70ER0LhbyBuZvSrztjMtdjWDX0aF386bapomiZIJNybMAfcPa3Nsqu1PRbvy79KQXE83RCgvDsl2MG9K-aO2ymfMYbSnYMbvCTR7nJXSWTu0IIlXLi~yhue6ebmbl~bE7ws48MyOyAz4YYewAO6PStHFrN4gr8CexWN2Nz1cO9j4HW7okOni-vs3ml~c5K8qIo8-DQPzYOE5t3c-Tqf2Wv31yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hidalgo County Commissioners Court and the Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 approved a series of routine but legally required actions Wednesday, including contractor payment applications, supplemental engineering agreements, grants, and a resolution authorizing acquisition of easements and rights of way related to drainage work.

The Drainage District approved a resolution “recognizing the necessity of required easements or rights of way or fee title in connection with the construction of the Mile 6 outfalls” and authorized acquisition “by condemnation, eminent domain or otherwise,” as read into the record by staff; the motion passed on an aye vote. Several payments and work authorizations tied to county drainage and roadway projects were also approved during the meeting.

Why it matters: The approvals finance ongoing construction and engineering work across Hidalgo County’s bond-funded drainage and road programs and clear legal steps for property acquisitions tied to flood-control infrastructure.

Key approvals and outcomes

- Resolution (Drainage District): Approval to recognize necessity and authorize acquisition of easements/rights of way or fee title for Mile 6 outfalls; motion passed (aye).

- Payment applications approved (selected items recorded on the agenda): NM Contractors — Payment No. 7 for $153,280.56 (HCDD1 contract CHCDD1-23076-0305); Onuak Infrastructure — Payment No. 2 for $77,738.76 (CHCDD1-240460924); RBM Contractors — Payment No. 15 for $43,228.75 (CHCDD1-230140426); Morewell LLC — Payment No. 9 for $103,008.60 (CHCDD1-22-0601129); Morrill LLC — Payment No. 10 for $1,173,577.56 (CHCDD1-22-0601129); Econ Group — Payment No. 8 for $156,622.56 (CHCDD1-240070319). All motions carried by voice vote.

- Supplemental agreements and schedule extensions: LNG Engineers (various supplemental agreements and authorizations) — supplemental agreement No. 5 and No. 3 for Naquitas/2018 bond projects (termination extended to Feb. 1, 2026) — approved subject to legal review and HB 1295 compliance; Cruz Hogan Consultants — supplemental agreement No. 6 (Highway 281 & FM 88), termination extended to March 30, 2025 — approved subject to final legal review and HB 1295 compliance.

- Closing documents / property closings: Approved closing documents for Parcel 19-1 (Project 19, Mid Valley Airport) and Parcel 23-2 (Project 23, Mile 11/North Texas Boulevard) with authority for the board chair to execute documents pending final legal review — motions carried.

- Work authorizations and testing services: Terracon Consultants Inc. — Work Authorization No. 4 (construction materials testing) for West Main Drain 3 Phase 3 in the amount listed on the agenda; Tarragon Consultants Inc. — Work Authorization No. 5 for Phase 4 in the stated amount; Sains Inc. — Supplemental Agreement No. 1 and Work Authorization No. 1 for West Main Drain 3 Extension Phase 2 (additional scope and $27,270) with revised termination date April 28, 2027 — all approved subject to legal review as noted.

- Engineering/urban-county contracts and rankings: The Urban County program presented scoring grids and authorized negotiations with the top-ranked firms for City of Sullivan and City of Weslaco infrastructure projects; motions to negotiate and approve ranking were passed.

- Purchasing and professional services: The commissioners approved a range of purchasing items, including: authority to negotiate emergency ambulance services with top-ranked vendor Skyline Emergency Medical Services; sole-source and exemption requests for certain IT and professional services; a number of capital and construction contract change orders and award recommendations outlined by Purchasing — motions carried.

- Grants and interlocal agreements: The court approved multiple grant applications and resolutions designating the county judge as the authorized official, including criminal justice grants for specialty courts, border prosecution unit grant applications, public-health grants, the State and Local Cybersecurity grant program application, and several other renewal or new grant submissions across departments. All grant-related motions on the agenda passed.

- Personnel/appointments: The court approved the appointment of Ana Gallardo as a community representative to the Hidalgo County Head Start Program Policy Council for a one-year term under 45 CFR 1301.3(d)(3); multiple personnel and classification actions across departments (title changes, slot deletions/creations, discretionary steps) were approved as presented.

Meeting procedure and legal review notes

Multiple items carried language that final execution was “subject to final legal review and compliance with HB 1295,” a standard notation when contract terms require counsel review under state law. Several engineering and construction agreements were extended with revised Exhibit D schedules and new termination dates.

Votes at a glance (selected, by agenda ID where provided)

- Agenda Item (Drainage) 6b: Resolution for Mile 6 outfalls — approved (aye vote).
- Agenda Item 6b/6c/8-series: Multiple supplemental agreements with LNG Engineers, Cruz Hogan Consultants — approved (motions carried; subject to legal review/HB 1295 where noted).
- Payment/Applications: NM Contractors ($153,280.56), Onuak Infrastructure ($77,738.76), RBM Contractors ($43,228.75), Morewell LLC ($103,008.60), Morrill LLC ($1,173,577.56), Econ Group ($156,622.56) — each motion approved by voice vote.
- Work authorizations (Terracon, Tarragon, Sains) and related amendments — approved.
- Purchasing awards and authority to negotiate ambulance services with Skyline EMS — approved.
- Multiple grant applications/resolutions across departments (Health & Human Services, District Attorney, Courts, IT cybersecurity grants) — approved; county judge designated authorized official for eGrants where applicable.

What the record shows and limits

All approvals recorded on the public agenda were passed by voice vote during the session. Where staff read contract numbers, amounts, or PO numbers into the record, the court voted to approve as described; several approvals carried the caveat that final execution would be done after legal review. No item in this session that reached a formal vote on the record failed.

Provenance: transcript excerpts supporting the approvals are found where individual agenda items were read into the record and where motions were made and carried (agenda entries beginning at the recorded segments for the Drainage District roll call and through the commissioners court agenda motions).","Hidalgo County Commissioners Court and Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 approved multiple payment applications, supplemental engineering agreements, grant applications, appointments and a resolution authorizing acquisition of easements for Mile 6 outfalls; several items carried subject to legal review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident raises concerns about new courthouse inspections, drainage and tax impact; commissioners note construction still underway

County judge appoints community representative to Head Start policy council; staff says Head Start funding likely unaffected by federal pause

Commissioners, drainage board approve dozens of routine contracts, payments and grants; easement condemnation resolution cleared