[{"_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",6485899,"mediaKeyId","5545551-81ed3f917287da728968dd2dcdab2727","parentId",5545551,"title","Commissioners honor UTRGV's 10th anniversary; one commissioner presses university for more local investment","audioSeconds",435,"startMs",279000,"endMs",714000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5545551-81ed3f917287da728968dd2dcdab2727&start=279&end=714","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5545551-81ed3f917287da728968dd2dcdab2727/thumbnail_279000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6485899/Cameron-County/Texas/Commissioners-honor-UTRGVs-10th-anniversary-one-commissioner-presses-university-for-more-local-investment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485899-32350bf98e8b0d2b2cc91963ce150180/orig.mp4?Expires=1770419715&Signature=c5RZupSUM~z3cdBa0K9yTTffE-bru2o6ZOzPF9BIopnAiQAEcpIfnKUnpVFOx4pvYJ2hI-D8HIxUOZ7DmOn7yRxZaTgfGQW5am2a2M7nzhldFPXaGkMWgHf19vBZBLC6e7FY3W3aPJkC88W9PynpH6NObCBeb3n0nAEfCQGV-jBv25FdsGoPjH98lQke2UKYeb2UnCfSvoyQL00MF-wJXQHyOkuDJoyYA4MRU77KlW5ykTcrawUMJhY63yiJzApfu7Oe1i5LZ4NafkkFyrHafkhojuzJo3kPJhFjWDG9F~spA66iu79v1pBCpTb4Zw2eD8EVhxDYKaH9Pwp7Z736Gw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cameron","date","2025-08-05T00:00:00Z","article","The Cameron County Commissioners Court on Aug. 5 adopted a proclamation honoring the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on the occasion of the university's tenth anniversary.

The proclamation, read into the record, lists UTRGV's academic expansion since 2015, claims of increased research expenditures, the opening of the UTRGV medical school in 2016 and other institutional milestones including planned academic centers and degree programs. The court approved the proclamation by motion.

Reuben O'Bell, introduced as director of governmental relations at UTRGV, thanked the court for the recognition and described UTRGV's regional footprint and growth, saying the university serves students across the Rio Grande Valley and has grown to more than 34,000 students. O'Bell invited commissioners to attend UTRGV's inaugural Division I football season kickoff on Aug. 30.

Commissioner Garza (identified in the record as a commissioner who spoke) praised the anniversary but pressed UTRGV for more investment in Cameron County. He said county residents face inconvenience traveling to campuses outside the county and asked the university to expand degree offerings, faculty presence and programming locally rather than treating Cameron County as a \"testing ground\" for certain initiatives. O'Bell responded that university leadership had created a task force with local partners to address those concerns.

The court unanimously approved the proclamation; commissioners expressed appreciation for the university's accomplishments and asked for continued partnership and local investment.

Why it matters: The proclamation is ceremonial recognition of institutional milestones. The exchange also reflects ongoing conversations between county leaders and UTRGV about where the university locates academic programming and services within the Rio Grande Valley.

Speakers quoted in this article are identified as they appeared in the meeting record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cameron - Commissioner's Court","oneSentenceSummary","Cameron County adopted a proclamation recognizing the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's 10th anniversary. A county commissioner praised achievements but urged the university to expand academic investment and degree offerings in Cameron County.","taxTitle","Cameron County, Texas","taxId",2694,"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},6485904,"County housing program update: $1M TDHCA self-help contract progressing, local nonprofit reports rapid spending",195,898000,1093000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5545551-81ed3f917287da728968dd2dcdab2727&start=898&end=1093","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5545551-81ed3f917287da728968dd2dcdab2727/thumbnail_898000.jpg","/articles/6485904/Cameron-County/Texas/County-housing-program-update-1M-TDHCA-self-help-contract-progressing-local-nonprofit-reports-rapid-spending","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485904-6920bdd9367ef42cf9055ed51e37702b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770419715&Signature=I3cEsaZhTBACd11NuXR7QxLQJNi3Wl7qSqXsEHjE-a6HmTLWolJRVT~Q-2mNKgRAtbWkg7Y-LsjZ3CrnBnbyV6K4fwrVxstKouUTXJRcRaaVjM63woEKUJfcXFQU8Pq0CFj7LKS0wwm2vR8YfyEVb9M8iIR~RLNczltKmKuigDg8LZMDjYYIhLwd7WGWMCh5sD~oESeiRw4vyv-fRLaBdW5gWXFuWC-NwUAxN8e2PEUAzb2QLDAbpD-J5Y6UMNA1KaB7ATRnBpuTPokYihNhjqBHlVhQMmH2MyUkofSFLRbJld-JidLgqV9AEGTdF00DAOWKRP6q6m3fOKLHjbeknQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County planning and development staff on Aug. 5 updated the Cameron County Commissioners Court on the status of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) self-help contract CSH 230519, a $1,000,000 program that funds reconstruction of dilapidated housing in eligible colonias.

Daniel Tijerina of the county's planning and development department told the court the contract is set to bid six housing reconstructions. The reconstructions would demolish existing dilapidated structures and replace them with new Energy Star-certified manufactured housing units, he said. Five of the awardees live in Sebastian (Willacy County) and one in Arroyo Colorado (Cameron County); staff said concentrated outreach was performed in several eligible colonias but applicant response has been stronger from Sebastian.

Rob Stevenson, representing Equity CDC (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit the county hired to operate the self-help center), told the court his organization signed on about seven months into the four-year contract cycle and moved quickly to meet a milestone that requires $300,000 in expenditures by Aug. 31. Stevenson said the contract is \"on the verge\" of meeting that threshold and expected to be about 60% to 70% expended by the end of the day on Aug. 5. He said, based on performance, the state has pledged an additional contract for $800,000; of that amount $600,000 would be dedicated to reconstruction. Stevenson added Equity CDC intends to leverage $600,000 pledged by the Cameron County Housing Finance Corporation to build new stick-built houses in Cameron County.

Commissioners acknowledged the report by motion. No votes were recorded to change the contract; the court moved to \"acknowledge\" the update.

Why it matters: The program funds replacement of unsafe housing with energy-efficient units in eligible colonias; meeting the Aug. 31 expenditure milestone preserves eligibility for additional state funding. The county and its nonprofit contractor reported progress and new state support, but commissioners requested continued updates as work proceeds.

Speakers quoted in this article are attributed to the names and roles used in the meeting record.","County staff and contract administrator told commissioners the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs $1,000,000 self-help contract is on track to meet an Aug. 31 expenditure milestone and the state has offered a follow-on award.",{"_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},6485909,"Cameron County discusses FY26 budget, proposes $1 bridge toll increase and weighs multiple staffing requests",3225,1240000,4465000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5545551-81ed3f917287da728968dd2dcdab2727&start=1240&end=4465","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5545551-81ed3f917287da728968dd2dcdab2727/thumbnail_1240000.jpg","/articles/6485909/Cameron-County/Texas/Cameron-County-discusses-FY26-budget-proposes-1-bridge-toll-increase-and-weighs-multiple-staffing-requests","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485909-26460e8a14bdf8a53f7b55086bf2684d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770419715&Signature=bKAQNeyHTIdCNMrxHrKLuqN-hZUwgFRDnM~9q6wXKrdBHapUFK30zGF~B5UDM6DODyYGLLoacZptqqjFox7PXgCXT8J38qiJAglfcRsauGkFUAKCg5QnOda1yTlOQhAfbPO-W9Cxx4pINDe0tIPdOCvV~5WjTGwX-xwTectuRAHhVGn7ir5RAyLETt8sr1XiySTgTCmqn33TQ-Re39XjJu5EXJQAgPf8Q3FVFpV-hohRRJFIKYoMRbF0PGqm3YjIYNyypSDgm~ZwHq9SGmwEzFYQY2ZtPeG~28lAAZrYm9kOgtOvLNB0U6KVNNfHB5abkqUYw5yKPSwjT2oxEjhmaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cameron County Commissioners Court on Aug. 5 reviewed preliminary fiscal year 2025–26 budget projections, discussed a proposed $1 increase to passenger-vehicle tolls at the county's international bridges, and heard multiple staffing and reclassification requests from county offices seeking to add or convert positions.

The court's budget staff presented revenue and expenditure estimates that incorporated a proposed 5% across-the-board pay increase for county employees and several department requests for new positions. Staff recommended increasing passenger-vehicle tolls at the international bridges from $4 to $5, which would generate about $2.6 million in gross revenue; roughly $1.8 million of that would be the county's certified share, staff said. The court directed staff to draft an item for the next meeting to set toll rates, historically effective Sept. 1 when rates are changed.

The county's current tax rate was reported at 0.426893. Staff noted that recently proposed state legislation (referred to in the meeting as Senate Bill 9, introduced by Senator Bettencourt) would change how the \"no-new-revenue\" tax rate is calculated for many counties, but that the county's current calculations show the change would not affect Cameron County this year. Staff also noted the county's voter-approval rate calculation appears high (about $1.38 in the presentation), a number that reflects historical choices about not adopting higher rates and effectively \"banking\" increment capacity over multiple years.

Several department heads and elected-office representatives asked the court to approve additional staffing for next year:
- The tax office requested four Clerk III positions for the Brownsville call center and one deputy constable for the Southmost branch office to replace contracted security, citing daily call volumes and public service demands. The tax office presenter said on one nonpeak day the Brownsville call center logged 1,241 incoming calls but answered 298 and returned 206 calls, pointing to low answer rates as evidence the call center is understaffed.
- The constable's offices requested deputies and administrative support. Dagoberto Peralas, identified as chief deputy for a precinct constable's office, said his office handled roughly 13,855 papers for the Attorney General's office over five years and showed revenue figures the presenter said totaled about $913,711 (at 66% billing) for that period.
- The county's elections office (speaker identified as Remy) asked for three full-time positions to replace recurring \"extra help\" hours used during election cycles and for a computer technician. Remy said converting seasonal/extra-help roles into permanent positions would remove staffing disruptions that occur when seasonal workers must be released between cycles; he said the three positions would cost roughly $90,000 in salaries combined, but full-time rates would be higher.
- A constable chief deputy (Chief Perez) requested an administrative secretary to relieve deputies handling heavy civil-paper workloads.

Commissioners and staff discussed constraints. The court majority has prioritized countywide pay increases in recent budgets: staff told the court a 5% across-the-board increase approved previously represents a multiyear investment that added tens of millions to the general-fund payroll (a figure presented at the meeting for the general fund impact of recent pay adjustments was \"just over $44,000,000\"). Staff said general-fund fund balance had grown in recent years and cited a prior September figure of just over $52 million, while noting the county must balance competing priorities.

The court did not vote to fund the new positions on Aug. 5. Commissioners moved to \"acknowledge\" the presentation and asked staff and the requesting offices to return with more detailed offset options and prioritization. Court members repeatedly said salary increases and retention for law enforcement and jail staff remain a high priority and signaled any new position requests will be weighed against that context.

Votes at a glance
- Motion to table consent item 2Q (MOU allowing U.S. Border Patrol to use county-operated Operation Stone Garden vehicles) — Motion to table by Commissioner Lopez; second by Commissioner Gotzall; outcome: carried.
- Motion to approve remaining consent agenda items — Moved by Commissioner Godson; second by Commissioner Lopez; outcome: carried.
- Motion to approve budget amendment, line-item transfers and salary schedule for jail commissary (item 4a) — Moved by Commissioner Lopez; second by Commissioner Benavides; outcome: carried.
- Motion to acknowledge presentations on staffing and the budget discussion — Moved by Commissioner Benavides; second by Commissioner Gotzall; outcome: carried.

Why it matters: The decisions the court makes in August on rates, staffing and budget transfers will shape service levels and public-safety staffing for the coming fiscal year. The proposed toll increase is a direct revenue option that would affect cross-border motorists and fund county operations; new positions would alter recurring personnel costs if funded.

Speakers quoted in this article are identified in the meeting record as County staff and elected officials and are attributed by the names or labels used on the record.","Commissioners reviewed preliminary fiscal 2025–26 budget projections, including a proposal to raise passenger-vehicle bridge tolls from $4 to $5 to generate roughly $2.6 million and heard requests for new county positions across the tax office, constable precincts and elections office.","actionData","errors"]

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Commissioners honor UTRGV's 10th anniversary; one commissioner presses university for more local investment

County housing program update: $1M TDHCA self-help contract progressing, local nonprofit reports rapid spending

Cameron County discusses FY26 budget, proposes $1 bridge toll increase and weighs multiple staffing requests