[{"_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",6589726,"mediaKeyId","5489726-fc9bee4b864d9bd12139dea4af09fc95","parentId",5489726,"title","San Patricio Commissioners Court roundup: minutes, budget moves, grants and contracts approved","audioSeconds",323,"startMs",328000,"endMs",4049,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5489726-fc9bee4b864d9bd12139dea4af09fc95&start=328&end=4","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5489726-fc9bee4b864d9bd12139dea4af09fc95/thumbnail_328000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6589726/San-Patricio-County/Texas/San-Patricio-Commissioners-Court-roundup-minutes-budget-moves-grants-and-contracts-approved","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589726-f2cd5e502e0734102743aed9ffebf93e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770767615&Signature=kF0VuKUCjQJnzo11DXfmLFsb6MXyUlXdIxool7Mn04imYVvSOQKSRNajEyde7qoLLZH7MlEm1kd-4S1dDY1gmxamr9YtDAPu0-xmkw~~IzTcSs-~F3Jk1nBPJj0ZlqwiNdEx3~nNpYRPwivjh-9f7t8RSVZSiPfDLpJNyUmcGveTMqeQdN5NCqS7Gbu9jr3gCH9a4a78r7pxgEHs8LBQ6Irq9IANewzQNjxVde10fzNfFZcH-UXk0Uw3KH9p-zuzOU4t5AIKRLQNoiv0Cnv~47bXBeUZTMYP-kKxRd96dazO6mSOfZ0ARgfLqGeiRcMqmGNCMjrA9kcTvApysnmljA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","San Patricio","date","2025-07-28T00:00:00Z","article","San Patricio County Commissioners Court met July 28 and approved a series of routine and substantive items after deliberation and public staff reports. Key votes included approval of minutes and claims, three budget line transfers, a budget amendment accepting an RWE Clean Energy donation into the general fund, authorization to solicit proposals for disaster food services (with an option to compare meals‑ready‑to‑eat), acceptance of FMAG reimbursement for the Welder fire, approval to purchase a property in Taft following executive session, and multiple personnel and consent items.

The court recorded these specific actions (summary):

- Approval of minutes from the prior meeting — motion carried (recorded as unanimous \"Aye\").
- Approval of claims against the county (financial agenda) — motion carried (recorded as unanimous \"Aye\").
- Budget line item transfers (three transfers: County Library, Rogan Bridge, County Court No. 1) — motion carried (recorded as unanimous \"Aye\").
- Budget amendment to accept RWE Clean Energy donation into general fund — motion carried (recorded as unanimous \"Aye\").
- Acceptance of the county treasurer's periodic report and reconciliations — motion carried.
- Approval to send a letter and provide $10,000 to Coastal Bend Disaster Recovery Group (letter of support / request accepted) — motion carried.
- Consent agenda items approved: county clerk monthly report (06/30/2025), county auditor unaudited financial report (06/30/2025), assignment of hangar and office space lease at McCampbell‑Porter Airport to Dan Campbell DBA Comtrotics.
- Approval of proclamation recognizing National Breastfeeding Week and recognition of a Texas Mother‑Friendly Worksite (courthouse breastfeeding room) — motions carried.
- Approval of a one‑year agreement between the health department community based programs and a mobile clinic / outreach provider (to continue distribution of hygiene and basic supplies) — motion carried.
- Motion to authorize the auditor's office to issue a Request for Proposal for food services during a disaster, amended to include an option to compare Meals‑Ready‑to‑Eat (MRE) purchases vs. contracted food service — motion carried.
- Acceptance of grant terms and conditions and reimbursement for FMAG (Welder fire) — county portion approx. $76,496; volunteer agencies approx. $27,828 (total check ~$104,325) — motion carried.
- Action after executive session: authorization to purchase property in Taft at a negotiated price and naming the broker of record — motion carried; no action taken on wind‑farm litigation item.
- Personnel actions: multiple hires, transfers, resignation and retirement approvals as presented (see detailed personnel list in court packet) — motion carried.

Votes were generally recorded verbally as \"Aye\" with no recorded opposition during the meeting. The court recessed for an executive session and reconvened, then approved the property purchase discussed in closed session.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","San Patricio - Commissioner's Court","oneSentenceSummary","San Patricio County Commissioners Court approved minutes, budget transfers, an RWE donation amendment, multiple contracts and personnel actions at its July 28 meeting and took executive‑session action to authorize the purchase of a Taft property.","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},6589730,"I‑69 Alliance tells San Patricio County officials billions are programmed for US‑77 upgrades; urges continued local partnership",830,1126000,1956000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5489726-fc9bee4b864d9bd12139dea4af09fc95&start=1126&end=1956","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5489726-fc9bee4b864d9bd12139dea4af09fc95/thumbnail_1126000.jpg","/articles/6589730/San-Patricio-County/Texas/I69-Alliance-tells-San-Patricio-County-officials-billions-are-programmed-for-US77-upgrades-urges-continued-local-partnership","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589730-818ebf5cb55c3e43a48a82afe10a8d57/orig.mp4?Expires=1770767615&Signature=EWvns9QlfGEjksOdqTr5shtrCRhU9KkrdeS-P6o56P7hy549mikUZLHnj8nEMeCp6mOM4nXaLbbiN7vT72a~ZA-s3R8WOimzz75UsgDXRZE405NrusWFkjY-5MMQXoq76mPdZbnfRxgchXfrucYegnaHLRfGEax7G65V6ugtIT-F6jD-jeImFIV3gsFyWZipOByUsVNADJnQmIhvMYXgEgx36RSBw-Z6B-c11udCgKCjtqbevtczLlRm-wsqbJG9mJnVwDfbdr31QgL2rFX~EyMZWhknrfyqUv45w6SX0p541rlGoN5XDoSmhJeuHHRuD9BvJIzjpO3B0LNL7rKtfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jennifer Shepherd, executive director of the Alliance for I‑69 Texas, told the San Patricio County Commissioners Court on July 28 that the congressionally authorized I‑69 corridor has projects in multiple stages and that state and federal resources are being programmed to upgrade US‑77 in the Coastal Bend.

\"My name is Jennifer Shepherd and I am the executive director of the Alliance for I‑69 Texas,\" Shepherd said in her presentation to the court, summarizing the alliance's role in federal and state advocacy and local coordination.

Shepherd said about 220 miles of roadway already are signed as I‑69 and that an additional 40 miles are complete and awaiting approval, with about 20 of those miles in the Coastal Bend region. Using the Texas Department of Transportation's draft 10‑year Unified Transportation Program (UTP) figures, she told the court that roughly $753 million is programmed for San Patricio County on the I‑69 corridor and that another $498 million is programmed in neighboring Refugio County to upgrade US‑77 to interstate standards.

Shepherd said the alliance works with federal and state officials, TxDOT district engineers and local elected officials to identify project priorities and to seek funding. She noted that building congressionally authorized interstates today lacks the dedicated federal cost‑share that funded the original interstate system; alliance efforts focus on securing dedicated funding and protecting existing transportation funding at the state level.

Commissioners asked about the alliance's activities and whether county dues support lobbying. Shepherd said the alliance conducts education and advocacy at federal and state levels; she said the alliance does not give money directly to TxDOT and that membership funds support outreach and coordination. Shepherd offered to provide a more detailed briefing and to provide an official request if the alliance seeks membership or funding from the county. Court members noted they had not received a written funding request during the meeting and asked staff to notify the alliance that a formal letter would be needed if the court were to consider a contribution.

Shepherd closed by asking the court to continue partnering with the alliance to advance the corridor projects and offered further briefings to county officials.

","Jennifer Shepherd, executive director of the Alliance for I‑69 Texas, told the San Patricio County Commissioners Court that roughly $753 million is programmed for US‑77 upgrades in San Patricio County and asked the court to remain a funding/member partner as the interstate upgrade advances.",{"_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},6589721,"San Patricio commissioners review pay‑raise scenarios and vesting change as budget talks continue",182,707000,889000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5489726-fc9bee4b864d9bd12139dea4af09fc95&start=707&end=889","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5489726-fc9bee4b864d9bd12139dea4af09fc95/thumbnail_707000.jpg","/articles/6589721/San-Patricio-County/Texas/San-Patricio-commissioners-review-payraise-scenarios-and-vesting-change-as-budget-talks-continue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589721-abe4f4312f86a7f59d22c15b97894c0e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770767615&Signature=i6sWtoHKUjYkZUIJ3Sf6nZzNDCVHOTS-HCgamt1Cp~K8UvTc2T4mCDT2M~Q1t0XirAI1IZ3G~hkIA7bhg2KG1jRx1iTcgYZl6pLZKIec3mXGHK1mbe1bKES3FIbl6mJKfyjx-GMGHDS8Eckw3qJRq7SlUXQFI04nopWgJBnPSFTopJ1KXkC6Ow3ebJRbH7yNCasS9R73bpq~LIRHEJ-HDCEJYMWfvJwS~PqKS435Q43FJd75rHpYGAJ-MeK6xKQuR86ktOTdug3vCx92s0XiOpMtw6bpxkfOAVHYNnMXsp-Vuk8oSh~fwKhyIwWTyme-3jMf25EIJzj7tfeHb5cjJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff briefed the San Patricio Commissioners Court on July 28 on salary and benefit scenarios under consideration for the proposed 2026 budget, including the cost to change retirement plan vesting and several cost‑of‑living and tiered pay options.

Staff reported that moving vesting with TCDRS (Texas County & District Retirement System) from a 10‑year to an 8‑year vesting period would cost about $177,000 under current payroll. The county administrator also presented several COLA and tiered scenarios: a county‑wide 3% COLA across the board (excluding elected officials) estimated at about $848,000; a tiered option giving 5% to employees earning about $50,999 and below and 3% to the remainder (estimated total cost about $941,009); and an alternative tier that applies 5% to employees earning up to about $65,999 and 3% to higher earners (estimated total cost about $1,075,705).

Court discussion focused on equity and fiscal targeting. One commissioner suggested concentrating pay increases on lower‑paid employees and excluding higher earners (comments referenced thresholds ranging from about $90,000 to $100,000). Another commissioner emphasized the difference between a cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA), which should be countywide and tied to inflation, and a separate pay‑adjustment targeted at lower earners.

Staff said insurance premium estimates are still incoming and that the county portion of insurance is being held at approximately $11,000 while employee contributions could rise depending on final insurer numbers; updated figures were expected from the insurer the following day.

No final votes were taken on COLA or vesting changes; the court agreed to finalize budget decisions at the next scheduled meeting. Staff was directed to prepare documentation and a clear list of proposed new positions and to provide final cost figures for the commissioners to review prior to a vote.

","County staff presented cost estimates for changing retirement vesting from 10 to 8 years and several cost‑of‑living / tiered pay scenarios. Commissioners debated thresholds and proposed focusing larger increases on lower wage employees; final budget decisions were deferred to the next meeting.","actionData","errors"]

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San Patricio Commissioners Court roundup: minutes, budget moves, grants and contracts approved

I‑69 Alliance tells San Patricio County officials billions are programmed for US‑77 upgrades; urges continued local partnership

San Patricio commissioners review pay‑raise scenarios and vesting change as budget talks continue