[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6534382,"mediaKeyId","3626053-262b9577cf46e1c6e0c43511d0d438d5","parentId",3626053,"title","Votes at a glance: San Patricio County Commissioner's Court actions","audioSeconds",463,"startMs",799000,"endMs",1262000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3626053-262b9577cf46e1c6e0c43511d0d438d5&start=799&end=1262","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3626053-262b9577cf46e1c6e0c43511d0d438d5/thumbnail_799000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6534382/San-Patricio-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-San-Patricio-County-Commissioners-Court-actions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534382-d5ff47cc20afb66b394a50082e54db43/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438058&Signature=aacBP27ejoSGVkWDC3Lb2wH9t5SzdPP4eTsOJytnH2RzWA02o7u1YDKuo3TNiC~fk73uwLVsqAaVxm2XYu8TF4g8AnPC5IUqmsr0J88ihMZIoSTCS5b5kD52JNdLG8aerqCm6S7tATJu3wL8kAXbpvoM0SW7uS97mbQ5amGpWMQUsPbo2ZGhxK3iXOrK8-GNNe9-S8xrqB3y6Ot9-mmmDoUl4Rx6vpX9rW-a2D9I4NtuY6LAVQ1dqCh1I6PlJJGDcWsNMsZocm1y8I8A4QDjKNuWDKdusHHv2wPiKBElukpSUpocSFs4cNBAP99B1LtVJtJIhUlQC5U~yzGTjsp4yw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","San Patricio","date","2025-06-02T00:00:00Z","article","At its meeting, the San Patricio County Commissioner's Court approved minutes, accepted the treasury report, approved several budget transfers and took a series of procurement and personnel actions. Key outcomes:

- Minutes: Motion to approve minutes passed (motion by Sikorsky; seconded by Gonzales). One commissioner abstained due to absence.

- Bills and Treasury Report: The court voted to pay presented claims and accepted the treasury report as presented.

- Budget transfers: The court approved multiple interline budget transfers across departments and precincts, including a $226,000 transfer within precinct lines to cover a seal-coating project on Tanner Road 1612 and a $46,000 transfer toward implementation of the IWorks maintenance-tracking software.

- Consent appointments: The court accepted and recorded a request appointing Joseph Roberts as a reserve deputy constable for Precinct 8 and appointed Chris Busina to represent Precinct 4 on the Drainage District Board.

- Procurement and contract awards:
• Approved acceptance of a $9,500 equipment donation from RWE Clean Energy LLC.
• Awarded the adult probation access hardware purchase to B and R (approximate hardware cost $4,102.93) per staff recommendation, to be paid from the IT budget.
• Awarded RFP 2025-? (employee classification) to Management Advisory Group International based on the scoring committee recommendation.
• Awarded the WIC Aransas Pass remodel (RFP 2025-010) to the single timely bidder; the project is to be reimbursed by federal/state grant funds and is 100% reimbursable pending USDA approval.
• Awarded countywide IF services (RFP IF2025-009) to Coastline, the low bidder; staff noted prior use of the vendor.

- Personnel and equipment:
• Approved several personnel items including the hire of Aaron Hernandez as a mechanic (Road & Bridge Precinct 2) effective 06/16/2025.
• Approved reimbursement to Constable Precinct 6 Cody Fernto for a replacement buoyancy and control device, $719.95, for use in county dive and water recovery operations.

- Tabled item: Item 2.4D was tabled pending further discussion between parties.

The court took these actions by voice vote; where roll-call tallies or individual yes/no votes were not read into the record, the minutes record motions as carried or tabled as shown.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","San Patricio - Commissioner's Court - Jun 02, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The court approved minutes, bill payments, budget transfers, several procurement awards, a donation acceptance and personnel actions. One item was tabled; the court approved a small equipment reimbursement for a constable.","taxTitle","San Patricio County, Texas","taxId",69592,"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},6534386,"San Patricio resident presses county over road MOU, staffing and planned mechanic hire",4924,97000,5021000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3626053-262b9577cf46e1c6e0c43511d0d438d5&start=97&end=5021","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3626053-262b9577cf46e1c6e0c43511d0d438d5/thumbnail_97000.jpg","/articles/6534386/San-Patricio-County/Texas/San-Patricio-resident-presses-county-over-road-MOU-staffing-and-planned-mechanic-hire","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534386-1045037248a73060442e8586fecf4136/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438058&Signature=Xz5mb-oEClPHqqFjaUMMELirUtDD3czmUuvWVP0EvSFDUDkLNRTfMbUkMF5ifISNoGrrkGq3E9YJLaFLcFGBru08sEpZcCrRUBgf2xeLRYskvKeW0GhchJ1XBhWpVlc4brTLlcrSOX0~8Pcx8tQUMbp~duV9V1H1FN8vPnm6a~vlgu~9lwyAxzv8GuvqYsrWZJzu6bEgE2zIbbTWaYkAhLDBPY1jXD6M-NRbUXr-8dKkP0kF~33Kb1LlRA~xG1OQlz5aq-QCRQDJW2~PAjxmvQy2Tf7OS-WVXFMBK2YHBHyxpnFx65AXGIT0wdWSXPKoLvQFKOhy3KAJJi--C4Qr3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sonia Witherspoon, a San Patricio County resident and business owner, told the commissioner's court that an MOU shifting road responsibilities between precincts and the ex officio road commissioner system has led to inefficient staffing and questioned a planned new hire in Precinct 2.

Witherspoon said Precinct 2’s road mileage assumptions were set after the 2020 census and that Portland annexations have reduced the county road workload in Precinct 2. She said a memorandum of understanding had transferred some Precinct 1 roads and bridges into Precinct 2 maintenance responsibility and questioned whether funds tied to that MOU had been returned when work shifted.

She walked commissioners through recent personnel changes in precinct road crews, saying a former Precinct 2 foreman retired at an annualized pay near $78,800 plus a $50 monthly phone allowance and that an internal promotion and transfers followed. Witherspoon urged the court to delay hiring another mechanic, arguing the precinct currently lacks enough operating equipment for a full complement of mechanics and that the county should first implement a road superintendent system — which she said would consolidate positions and lower overall costs.

Commissioner Yardley responded that Precinct 2 is maintaining MOU roads, using a limited crew and that he stands ready to discuss operational details with any constituent. He also defended recent budget transfers the court approved to fund seal coating on a heavily traveled road (Tanner Road 1612) and to implement an IWorks maintenance-tracking software program. Yardley said the seal-coating transfer moved about $226,000 within precinct budgets and another $46,000 toward the IWorks program to ensure maintenance work is recorded for disaster recovery and FEMA eligibility.

Despite the public comment urging delay, the court later approved personnel item 3.1(e) — the hiring of Aaron Hernandez as a mechanic for Road & Bridge Precinct 2, full time, effective June 16, 2025, grade 108, step 3, at $4,089.08 per month — as part of a consent to hire items the court voted to accept.

","A citizen told commissioners she believes a memorandum of understanding and current ex officio road commissioner system wastes county dollars and urged the court to delay hiring an additional mechanic until road operations are consolidated under a road superintendent system.",{"_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},6534391,"County to administer $100,000 Veterans Commission grant starting July 1 for housing and utilities aid",48,606000,654000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3626053-262b9577cf46e1c6e0c43511d0d438d5&start=606&end=654","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3626053-262b9577cf46e1c6e0c43511d0d438d5/thumbnail_606000.jpg","/articles/6534391/San-Patricio-County/Texas/County-to-administer-100000-Veterans-Commission-grant-starting-July-1-for-housing-and-utilities-aid","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534391-f680486fc076046a5ad9f0c97c93e283/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438058&Signature=ipsh112Lqs4xYZu8UYobYLpynF4kk5jMS8850yIOFTxqpNNKsKUpn1kYpQhL3RTBkbqP6WQWiwKh5UXhk3y~I4KzWDLRylIkR-NaQMZkcBKoWs~oH~YFGOeETM9zT1IrONAd0lSpOCXMj8X7FqtAokDr01A99Za7snb773tHuvH76mX8D6TYZ0zHbJXAhRCBbLqzDN7MSBiNWrYX1y5K-5dDIEKYh82mStwyVoS2~nMle8FEFVR~x9vOiEyAYdkDDC6bpUeJriK-oYky35VybB9LGd4EFb30y3lhaXh-va-M106f0CuG8IKLScBbfeaOryO0svmBYQ5mMR7C~xcKbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The court heard from county staff that the Texas Veterans Commission approved a $100,000 grant to the county to provide short-term financial assistance to veterans, dependents and surviving spouses.

The staff member said the grant will begin July 1 and run 14 months, and that assistance is not automatically available to every applicant; recipients must meet a financial-need test and provide documentation. The staffer said assistance covers housing costs (rent or mortgage), food and utilities and that vehicle assistance is limited to a primary vehicle of residence use.

County leaders said they will work to publicize the program through cities, city halls, veterans associations and local media ahead of the July start date.

","County staff told commissioners the Texas Veterans Commission approved a $100,000 grant to help veterans and surviving spouses with rent, mortgage, food and utilities; the program opens July 1 and will run 14 months with eligibility and documentation requirements.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6534396,"Justice Center construction at about 42% complete; county updates ARPA-funded projects",464,1299000,1763000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3626053-262b9577cf46e1c6e0c43511d0d438d5&start=1299&end=1763","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3626053-262b9577cf46e1c6e0c43511d0d438d5/thumbnail_1299000.jpg","/articles/6534396/San-Patricio-County/Texas/Justice-Center-construction-at-about-42-complete-county-updates-ARPA-funded-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534396-0b0e34ec6ca8d5cdd212e2a895060fa9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438058&Signature=L4PPLeqj8Z7u5X00Ae8E8-RmElNkQj8X74P3v9IwaLOnutaO~qnfKRZ6EdLJLIVEMzIyUgjt9SwRUAiqSD17ayUGbvAT~WOF4kH55Qsc0FPK1HiKKQpoJDtwhe-28Rtpf~2o7vD9e0Dt-F8RwS8i2C0RuI3v~5DBHVvaXTok-yi8pvfXvWwzhR0zQRKG3y9E7~PeGQS78HTf1baKUwbgH1MR5LgC2PhY35UzLVYrvq1zabYnGYaA0eIfd4lHFSVgMVcKNImplM2nQ7TXgNNVfXbncFps2Emozbrm3vPkPH1P7RlBfvSlPqlQzDLRUytOhZuK3HImSWlA~~fhH1C8Ig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County Engineer John Hernandez told the San Patricio County Commissioner's Court that the Justice Center construction is approximately 42% complete and that the month’s payout to the contractor was about $2.2 million.

Hernandez said interior work — in particular mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems — is the current critical path for the project and that work on those systems will likely keep the schedule active through July and possibly into August. He said the county approved a change order to proceed with design of a fire-suppression water storage tank and that further coordination with the architect and urban engineering is underway.

Hernandez described elements of ongoing work, including cinder-block interior units and steel reinforcement that will be grouted as the project progresses. He told the court the project is moving from the first-floor MEP work toward the second and third floors as interior framing and rooftop mechanical pads are installed.

Hernandez also updated the court on ARPA-funded projects: a bridal shelter project is about 15% complete and waiting on a water tap from Rincon Water Supply; a juvenile detention center extension is approximately 37% complete and will have grout pours and laboratory testing for concrete quality in the coming days; and the county’s fiber-optic backbone build is about 19% complete, with a planned August completion for the fiber route.

Steven (county staff) provided a routing diagram for the fiber project showing a path from the Emergency Operations Center through the sheriff’s department, courthouse, justice center, annex and to the radio tower; he reported no current schedule issues related to weather or the community.

Commissioners praised visible progress and asked technical questions about systems, the storage tank schedule and adjacent site work; no change to contract awards was reported during the update.

","County Engineer John Hernandez told commissioners the new Justice Center is roughly 42% complete, with mechanical, electrical and plumbing work driving schedule; ARPA-funded projects — a bridal shelter, juvenile detention extension and county fiber-optic build — were also updated.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6534401,"County consultants warn San Patricio Navigation District lacks revenue; commissioners briefed on tax option",1931,3003000,4934000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3626053-262b9577cf46e1c6e0c43511d0d438d5&start=3003&end=4934","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3626053-262b9577cf46e1c6e0c43511d0d438d5/thumbnail_3003000.jpg","/articles/6534401/San-Patricio-County/Texas/County-consultants-warn-San-Patricio-Navigation-District-lacks-revenue-commissioners-briefed-on-tax-option","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534401-53371936d104a90e64239813221caeda/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438058&Signature=OLdlj0Ll9DknuVjY52wiNFns7n9FsR6TSnCYuR0Y-9mGrla92qaVYgGa3T-sOIS46Gd1bp4UjlaKJZ9ZiO7-JS-BawYaW1cG9CSXozkDomxMXsujC5bB-VjJv9HsV-a40j5JB4yURe5Cgk3Dj1Q2Y9TRVmXAzOcZ2mTE778RWVYMooFw-XM243LFM2Hg3Ua8VrpGANj4h~nbje4J2nwcVBeMKH8Z8rNhkuw-8T-4hT~5GdWQkqr-ci2Rm~btfgpBvAl3hDYgN6dFitHW3gcAAa4T5dPt~LWLbU-cMO5dCJmcXTmrbuZunFGvfdNV4jab2XeJ2ybxYFBDiLwvL11brg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","David Wendel, a financial consultant retained to review Navigation District No. 1, told the San Patricio County Commissioner's Court on Tuesday that the district has experienced “consistent operating losses” and that its capital assets have largely been depreciated.

Wendel said the district is projecting about $6 million in needed improvements over the next several years and estimated an unaudited ending fund balance for 2024 of roughly $417,000. He said the balance is declining and, under the preliminary 2026 budget presented, could drop to about $132,000.

“The current capital assets are nearly completely depreciated,” Wendel said, adding that relying on grants alone would be unlikely to cover the full scope of work the district lists. He told the court that one of the options is levying a maintenance tax under Chapter 62 of the Texas Water Code, but he cautioned the court that restoring a tax after years of a zero levy is legally and politically complicated.

Wendel described how Texas truth-in-taxation rules mean a previous zero levy complicates a return to taxation: a literal 0-percent increase would still calculate as zero, potentially triggering an automatic election unless a de minimis calculation applies. He also warned of the risk of a petition election that would require signatures from roughly 3 percent of registered voters in the district.

Commissioners and district representatives said the district serves a popular public marina with about 150 boat slips, two public ramps and high seasonal use, but that staffing is minimal. Patrick King and other district officials told the court that the district has a small operating staff — a secretary, a maintenance manager and one part-time worker — and that recent storms, legal costs and abandoned vessels have eroded reserves.

Commissioner Gillespie said he would not support additional funding without a recovery or management plan. “Before I would put any more money at this, I want to see a recovery plan, a manager hired to actually bring this thing back to life,” he said.

Other commissioners raised questions about alternatives to a property tax, including raising slip fees, annexation by another district, dissolution, or a public–private partnership. Wendel said annexation or dissolution are legal options but would not necessarily solve long-term sustainability without a revenue source.

District officials noted some grant progress: the district has received grant funding through county-supported programs, including a GoMesa-related grant and work funded by Bays and Estuaries programs; dredging and a roughly $750,000 dock improvement grant were cited as examples of recent assistance. County staff cautioned that some grant funds require the facility remain publicly accessible, limiting privatization as a revenue path.

The court took no formal vote on levying a tax at the meeting and asked district representatives to return with additional analyses, including a detailed recovery plan, updated audited financials when they become available, and options that would spread costs or revenue beyond the immediate district residents.

The presentation concluded with a request that the court consider the matter in future budget planning after staff and the district provide more specific proposals and timelines.

","Consultant David Wendel told the San Patricio County Commissioner's Court that Navigation District No. 1 is running operating losses, faces near-total depreciation of assets and will need new revenue or structural change to fund about $6 million in projected repairs and improvements.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: San Patricio County Commissioner's Court actions

San Patricio resident presses county over road MOU, staffing and planned mechanic hire

County to administer $100,000 Veterans Commission grant starting July 1 for housing and utilities aid

Justice Center construction at about 42% complete; county updates ARPA-funded projects

County consultants warn San Patricio Navigation District lacks revenue; commissioners briefed on tax option