[{"_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",6550692,"mediaKeyId","5385531-c4e069a8eda8996330ee39e155273492","parentId",5385531,"title","Votes at a glance: San Patricio County Commissioners court actions, July session","audioSeconds",2017,"startMs",712000,"endMs",2729000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5385531-c4e069a8eda8996330ee39e155273492&start=712&end=2729","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5385531-c4e069a8eda8996330ee39e155273492/thumbnail_712000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6550692/San-Patricio-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-San-Patricio-County-Commissioners-court-actions-July-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550692-dd079639e42479267c57a7c4caa95554/orig.mp4?Expires=1771094297&Signature=GMJII-A6lqBMXe-GPcJ4hlM6w3N4mJl8-zfX1NGuVAz6Zea9w2OZv-veQt6LNiCVCgC9Q7GQ5HYbMZ7SBPAAv1YfeNvJhma8dJL31faRrUZyGyM8bfUAmPdZ0dANA~SIsNZKfAESyJ13BvPE2w6boVWdDXGcwIKmcmTd2XRKtRzFRhjJy1aCX9dYbCrAQBnA1UAde9bxfYLNcVgp9A0mOg3wXwt1CaCaFLp8Sq1dHwjeyDV0xCV1s2QJ7BoKMM3NgXcLdy~fzaBTmu~wVhrxLTehNTZs~zgAR9L9HbLFN3foHUdAlwZpjurrbN-RHrgQKAYLZ6D25SIFj8aGqzZOWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","San Patricio","date","2025-07-14T00:00:00Z","article","San Patricio County Commissioners voted on a slate of consent, procurement and personnel items during their regular meeting and associated budget workshop. Most motions passed by voice vote; one personnel item recorded a roll-call-style result discussed on the record.

Key outcomes

- Approval of minutes (agenda item 2.1): Motion by Commissioner Sikorsky, seconded by Commissioner Gonzales; voice vote recorded as \"motion carries.\" No roll-call tally provided.

- Pay bills / financial claims (agenda item 2.2a): Motion to pay claims carried after discussion of an invoice from the I-69 Alliance; the court left the invoice in the 2025 budget and approved payment. Motion and second recorded; no individual roll-call votes recorded.

- Budget line-item transfers (agenda item 2.2b): Motion by Commissioner Gillespie, seconded by Commissioner Zagorski; voice vote, motion carries.

- Treasurer’s report and bank reconciliation (agenda item 2.2c): Presented by Miss Garcia; motion to accept the report carried (motion by Gillespie, seconded by Yardley).

- Appointments to Workforce Solutions board (agenda item 2.3b): Judge David Krebs requested reappointments and appointments (Marcy Keener and Susan Temple reappointments; appointment of Dr. Michelle Covasa to the board). Motion by Commissioner Sikorsky, seconded by Commissioner Gillespie; voice vote, motion carries.

- Amended survey plat to modify property restrictions (agenda item 2.4a): Motion to approve proposed plat changes for property on County Road 2221 (presented by county staff); motion carried by voice vote (motion by Dorsey, seconded by Commissioner Blesse).

- Juvenile detention interlocal contracts (agenda item 2.4b): Contracts with Nueces County for juvenile detention services were approved (motion and second recorded; voice vote carries).

- Request to solicit bids for replacement fire-alarm system at juvenile detention (agenda item 2.4c): Motion to seek bids carried (motion by Gillespie, seconded; voice vote recorded).

- Road-material contracts (agenda items 2.4d and 2.4e): Awards for road materials to Martin Marietta and Vulcan were approved (motions and seconds recorded; voice votes carried).

- IT backup storage award (agenda item 2.4f): Court approved award of RFP 2025-004 to Free IT Data Solutions (motion amended on record to name vendor; motion carried by voice vote).

- Temporary part-time public-outreach specialist (agenda item 2.4g): The court approved establishing a temporary, part-time public-outreach specialist (grade 106), funded from the Emergency Management budget. The motion passed with three ayes and two noes; the meeting record shows the count but does not provide a full roll-call list in the transcript excerpt.

- Personnel actions (agenda item 3.1a–d): Multiple hires and appointments were approved for custodial, road crew, jailer and juvenile detention supervisor positions. A motion to approve items 3.1a through 3.1d (excluding an elected official’s requested higher step for one hire) passed by voice vote.

Executive session

The court recessed into executive session under Government Code Section 551.087 to hear a presentation from the executive director of the San Patricio County Economic Development Corporation; the item was described as confidential because potential companies involved have nondisclosure agreements. No public action on the economic-development presentation was taken during open session.

Notes on procedure and record

Most items were approved by voice vote with motions and seconds noted in the public record. When roll-call tallies were given, the meeting transcript reproduced a total (for example, the temporary outreach position passed 3–2) rather than a full line-by-line roll call in the excerpt provided.

Full minutes and staff records contain the official motions, seconders and any procurement contracts; citizens and reporters seeking contract amounts, vendor quotes or detailed roll-call records should consult the county clerk’s official minutes and procurement documents.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","San Patricio - Commissioner's Court - Jul 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The court approved consent items, procurement awards, personnel hires and appointments during the July session; a temporary public-outreach hire passed 3–2.","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},6550697,"Resident warns of deteriorating wooden bridges as court reviews road projects and material contracts",300,86000,386000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5385531-c4e069a8eda8996330ee39e155273492&start=86&end=386","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5385531-c4e069a8eda8996330ee39e155273492/thumbnail_86000.jpg","/articles/6550697/San-Patricio-County/Texas/Resident-warns-of-deteriorating-wooden-bridges-as-court-reviews-road-projects-and-material-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550697-4c8d6d38ccafd4505bc3850a24d2f065/orig.mp4?Expires=1771094297&Signature=A7NyaiwVtFhbzN3MiyUz~olXuwYfcbQxJ9YysSUTD4ZvKJuoYG4NxDxNXiyVB1ZS0K700Lc~uaORuQtiYtdahGO52G5ZzxotFDKLGLmese8~D72J7ucvreFQ8AY9PTpMCPPF744wnOf-r5Ekc0H6by45G9MmaexE3TIM2M0kaMYOKq-Qh46KID7d2axVl0agtjO5d675ZXhAMx7oqZIoe98Vs38PYnCzMvjVq3pmXjtZTiIsiDh922D353RFnQ5gGuOJi-9Ofh0JP4Vk9Iyqgqs6Qek5j5~u-CeiJlTCCmbVsahYkSWxr1i3TxofhIcqa~2kv8xq~soi6oVo5oO9QQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A long-time county resident told the San Patricio County Commissioners Court that two wooden bridges on local county roads are unsafe, missing load-limit signage and being repeatedly crossed by heavy farm equipment and trucks.

“Sometimes they mark the edge of the bridge, and about two weeks later, the farmers don’t knock them down. And they’re not replaced until maybe I complain,” Anthony Niddick said during the citizens-to-be-heard portion of the meeting. Niddick described the bridges as old, with support pilings “halfway through” in places, and noted a posted load limit of “17,500 pounds,” which he said was being ignored by heavy equipment operators.

County road work and contracts

Commissioner Gillespie reported the county has an active paving contract with a private company and listed several road projects and drainage repairs underway, including limestone placement on County Road 1740 and work on County Road 502 and County Road 1677/1672. Gillespie also said crews installed eight 18-inch by 8-foot concrete pipes to improve drainage on a stated route.

During the meeting the court approved awards of road-material contracts: one contract for road materials to Martin Marietta and another to Vulcan (motions and seconds recorded; each motion carried by voice vote). County purchasing staff was present to manage procurement items.

Why it matters: county officials said maintenance and correct signage matter for public safety and to preserve road and bridge investments. The resident’s remarks added public pressure to ensure signage remains in place and to confirm load limits are enforced.

Follow-up and enforcement

Niddick asked the court to replace missing signs and enforce posted load limits. Commissioners did not announce a specific enforcement action during the meeting; county staff and commissioners said the roads and bridges work program is ongoing and that they would continue to assign crews where needed.

No formal motion addressing Niddick’s bridge complaint was taken during the session; speaker requests and procurement awards were handled as separate agenda items.","A resident raised safety concerns about two wooden bridges and missing load-limit signage; commissioners reported ongoing road work and awarded contracts for road materials.",{"_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},6550702,"San Patricio County holds budget workshop as state, federal grant cuts and insurance costs tighten 2026 outlook",358,1823000,2181000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5385531-c4e069a8eda8996330ee39e155273492&start=1823&end=2181","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5385531-c4e069a8eda8996330ee39e155273492/thumbnail_1823000.jpg","/articles/6550702/San-Patricio-County/Texas/San-Patricio-County-holds-budget-workshop-as-state-federal-grant-cuts-and-insurance-costs-tighten-2026-outlook","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550702-32b833b08fcfe2bfef23cf70c9ac653f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771094297&Signature=naiHADNi3IsGNOF8gP~sN13Yy95n~vmdjLruC1-3ldevKbStYXFl5D5QB-EkBTH1Hek1UU9Ft7KHhrZZY1qi0Cbkpqwa6KA4n9gJzkI69SPYDT5eTAhToWAUZAibQXkYmE8Tk1N27LxHoBl-6~UM7Iu5Pf2tNuoO574Sgg3xDSlz3FZR~Is-SKONAAANj2HcfoCVtvlLKBwDNi52-QgiUpX0WSaV9m~QhTiU8qwxGk1U-nLCTmLFQGP59XdTHWVRSZlG03SbWFWz~yqFWxHQl7XgBKJloo72EQsaOqiVdrldjzbvk0TI1O~iIqPhGyr9exRh4WOCg1Q1FJLNPVdpww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","San Patricio County Commissioners met in a budget workshop following the July commissioners court to discuss looming revenue constraints driven by reduced state and federal grant support and rising county insurance costs.

The court heard that some federal- and state-funded grants are being cut with little notice. “We received one letter: a PHEP grant was cut 28% starting July 1,” a county budget official said during the workshop, noting the county might not know grant reductions until the day a grant starts. The county’s audit and budget staff told commissioners that a 28% reduction could leave some grants covering only a single salary instead of the full program.

Why it matters: commissioners said county-funded services and personnel currently supported by grants could require local funding to continue. That, combined with legal limits on property-tax revenue increases, narrows options.

Budget pressures and insurance shortfall

County officials described a separate but related pressure: the county’s self-insurance fund has drawn down reserves after prescription costs and other claims rose. The county estimated that lowering the employer contribution from $12,000 to $11,000 per insured employee reduced projected outlays by roughly $480,000 this year. County staff said they currently pay about $8,900 per covered employee and that restoring insurance reserves will be expensive.

The court discussed possible personnel and pay policies under the constrained outlook. Staff presented two example cost scenarios for a general cost-of-living adjustment (COLA): a 3% COLA would increase payroll costs by about $848,000; a 5% COLA would be roughly $1.4 million. County staff said combining an insurance reserve increase with a 3% COLA would add about $1.9 million to next year’s payroll and benefits cost.

Revenue cap and abatements

County staff reminded the court the county is operating under a statutory tax revenue cap (described in discussion as roughly a 3.5% limit on new revenue from existing property) for the coming year. That cap means new recurring spending must come from new construction or other newly taxable activity rather than drawing down existing capped revenue. Commissioners also noted a stream of tax abatement expirations over the next two to three years that may affect future receipts but will not immediately lift the cap on usable revenue.

Halo Flight request

Randy Inslee, chief flight nurse for Halo Flight, presented the nonprofit air ambulance’s 2026 budget request and asked San Patricio County to increase its annual contribution by 5 percent to help offset uninsured patient write-offs and rising operating costs. “Approximately 35 percent of our patients transported for medical care do not have financial means or any insurance of any kind,” Inslee said. He cited equipment and maintenance cost increases, for example, a helicopter windshield replacement rising from about $10,000 to $12,000 and a critical antenna cost increasing from about $11,000 to $15,000.

Inslee acknowledged an error on the written request and said Halo Flight would resubmit a corrected letter with the official amount for the county record. Commissioners said the Halo Flight request will be considered in the county’s overall budget process and that formal action would occur when the court finalizes the 2026 budget.

Next steps

County staff said more workshops would be scheduled and that departments had submitted personnel requests and reclassification proposals the court is still reviewing. Staff urged commissioners to identify which grant-funded services the county should continue if state or federal funding is reduced or terminated; for some positions, county leaders said only two choices exist if grants end—eliminate the position or fund it locally.

Judge David Krebs summarized the outlook: “So, Court, y’all will be hearing a lot about the budget until we get this thing wired down,” and staff said more budget workshops are planned to allow the court to prioritize programs under the constrained revenue outlook.","Commissioners held a budget workshop during their regular court session to review shrinking grant funding, insurance reserve shortfalls and potential cost-of-living adjustments; Halo Flight presented a request to increase its county contribution for 2026.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: San Patricio County Commissioners court actions, July session

Resident warns of deteriorating wooden bridges as court reviews road projects and material contracts

San Patricio County holds budget workshop as state, federal grant cuts and insurance costs tighten 2026 outlook