[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6488335,"mediaKeyId","5602112-eb291c6f721cfd5e150f58d5ad3e6648","parentId",5602112,"title","Hidalgo County approves $76.8 million in bond proceeds; resident speaker urges restraint over $50 million bond component","audioSeconds",4602,"startMs",2521000,"endMs",7123000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5602112-eb291c6f721cfd5e150f58d5ad3e6648&start=2521&end=7123","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5602112-eb291c6f721cfd5e150f58d5ad3e6648/thumbnail_2521000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6488335/Hidalgo-County/Texas/Hidalgo-County-approves-768-million-in-bond-proceeds-resident-speaker-urges-restraint-over-50-million-bond-component","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488335-2d37a2ed4aadebb2a194f879fe365a59/orig.mp4?Expires=1770425950&Signature=ehAFuVlO9NM3izQL-3eeqetOs2ogQpF72QbaoOomG3SKE5WQ6wxTKQxa9noBlC5vcqYRwukRTFPDWul9M3HaEaU5aMelaOCldwLLafxnsbJJJIlsii2tEBZnnjPT2edGOoTptHBuKON77sAyDvlXJToNwsO6dKUWSzYj-9shKy-Gc27gYfxY5iadS6-LWOqN~C8oY9Xa2MVyDPjyy2yx-WSEBdY3OOsEGEuKrzd7cAdSAeBCPllEDUCmR-9P4lp6-8Ea9QwtrTT1kin5sNii0gNBwEQES4BP-QcW7b-n~28fj71AvV5l5tk-MNFWydTYzKPjbXYJaKM4hUAx3w~LvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hidalgo","date","2025-08-19T00:00:00Z","article","Hidalgo County Commissioners voted to approve estimated revenues and interfund transfers tied to 2025 bond issuance and refunding, while a member of the public used the open‑forum period to urge the court to reduce planned borrowing.

Douglas Lothor Jr., director of Budget and Management, presented an item asking the court to approve estimated revenues and an interfund transfer “in the amount of $76,826,465.55 for bond proceeds, bond premium, and issuance cost for the certificate of obligation series 2025 and refunding bond series 2025.” The court approved that action by voice vote.

During open forum, Fern McClarty addressed the court to criticize a previously announced proposed $50,000,000 bond sale and to urge that the county limit new borrowing and provide tax relief for residents. McClarty said officials had increased a planned issuance and questioned whether the county could reduce the borrowing amount instead of taking more taxpayer dollars. She also warned about long-term debt service, saying that $33,000,000 a year in current debt service could continue for decades and that construction timelines can extend costs further.

McClarty stated: “We are selling bonds because interest rates will never be lower and we get to decide what is the best interest of the people. That is the attitude being set forth by your actions.” She also urged voters to consider ballot measures that could alter property tax rules and exemptions.

Court minutes show the bond-related budget and transfer item was approved; the transcript records the vote as a voice vote with the clerk announcing “Motion carries.” The public commenter’s remarks were recorded during the open‑forum portion of the meeting and were not tied to a separate formal court action.

Why it matters: The approved transfers and appropriations fund the mechanics of issuing certificates of obligation and refunding bonds; bond proceeds and premiums affect the county’s capital program and future debt service requirements. Public concerns raised during open forum signal community interest in the county’s borrowing level and long‑term fiscal commitments.

Next steps: County staff will proceed with interfund transfers and receipt of bond proceeds per the schedule presented to the court. Officials noted earlier in the meeting that staff expect receipt of proceeds on 08/21/2025 for the referenced series, and the county will follow its usual post‑issuance reporting and accounting practices.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hidalgo - Commissioner's Court","oneSentenceSummary","The Commissioner's Court approved estimated revenues and interfund transfers totaling about $76.8 million for 2025 bond proceeds and related issuance costs. A public commenter criticized a separate $50 million bond sale and urged caution, citing long-term debt service concerns.","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},6488340,"Hidalgo County drainage officials say nearly $1 billion in district work remains; court approves interlocal with UTRGV and multiple project payments",163,256000,419000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5602112-eb291c6f721cfd5e150f58d5ad3e6648&start=256&end=419","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5602112-eb291c6f721cfd5e150f58d5ad3e6648/thumbnail_256000.jpg","/articles/6488340/Hidalgo-County/Texas/Hidalgo-County-drainage-officials-say-nearly-1-billion-in-district-work-remains-court-approves-interlocal-with-UTRGV-and-multiple-project-payments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488340-b073a4349a8765f6e23dcf44f5167dd6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770425950&Signature=ZaC3Z--t7YNFbIrEQlX6E89ydm4Da8C5SPYvV4jmTLoleBDUVJIHcOJd420jo7yNtOVJRqGA7H-qhAvzfdj~1Y8UEJSd5YQ2PdXLVpREQuePRc1oVQfGtB~FjOq7IaL7rnCAHO4wctvWJ1HnXd~ZuiNsFS0tH9Y7QbddpTdLBdkoWrom3Yd7qW6-0q4scaoS5rYyaJwY7ZCjyJP9T9sP7OIb50V46oztBhszv0-Cl1WK4FAxqC1euQGAqvpK0~X0Zqt-PHoBdpQAZvUXBAC~kRiUa-~DQLOmoupScbEYWaFl8JhUa9ceXkvERoDJfoZalsYmASPw2~Z0acTUFXNvXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During a joint meeting of the Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 board and the Hidalgo County Commissioner's Court, district staff reported large remaining needs for drainage infrastructure and the court approved multiple contracts and payments related to ongoing projects.

Drainage District staff said the district has “invested at least $200,000,000 since 2018” and has leveraged additional state and federal partnerships, but that district-owned facilities still face “about almost a billion dollars” in additional needs. The district’s presentation, described by the ACD‑1 general manager during the meeting, noted roughly $28,000,000 in partnership funds and other leveraged amounts the district has used to extend local dollars toward projects.

The presentation to the court described recent outreach in Austin, where district representatives and Commissioner David Fuentes testified for state attention and possible funding. “We were invited to participate in this testimony ... to highlight the need of the area, but also the plan that we put in place,” Commissioner Fuentes said during the meeting.

The court approved an interlocal agreement with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to allow shared use of a green area adjacent to the new stadium for pedestrian access and limited tailgating; the agreement was presented as pending final legal review. County staff said the interlocal includes access and pedestrian-use provisions and would be finalized after legal review.

Commissioners also approved several project-related items tied to drainage work and district operations, including:
- Approval to enter a subscription service with ClearGov Inc. for financial reporting services at $10,800 per year; the subscription will automatically renew for one-year terms, subject to final legal review.
- Acceptance of professional engineering services/work authorization associated with the Base Lateral Ditch 2023 monitoring project (workstation acceptance noted at $90,006.21 as submitted under contract CHCDD1250540819).
- Payment approvals tied to construction and contractor invoices for district projects, including an application payment from Core Equipment LLC ($157,925.06) and multiple construction payment approvals related to Nolanda Loop/Nolana extension projects coordinated through Precinct 2 (items presented and approved in court; amounts and contractor names were provided in agenda materials and were approved subject to each project’s contract terms).

Court action on these items was taken by motion and voice vote; on each listed item the court’s record states “All in favor say aye. Motion carries.” Specific named vote tallies were not recorded in the meeting transcript.

Why it matters: Hidalgo County’s drainage system serves as a key component of flood mitigation and stormwater management across multiple precincts. Officials told the court the district’s local investments and partnerships have produced progress but that the majority of needed capital remains unfunded; county and district leaders said ongoing state-level engagement is intended to identify additional funding.

District staff said they will continue to pursue state and federal funding opportunities and to package project-level requests for potential grants and appropriations. Staff also asked the court to note continuing project-level obligations and to approve routine contract and payment items so work can proceed pending legal review and contractor requirements.","Drainage District No. 1 leaders told the court they have invested about $200 million since 2018 but still face roughly a $1 billion gap for district-only drainage projects. Commissioners approved an interlocal with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and several professional services and contractor payments tied to drainage work.","actionData","errors"]

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Hidalgo County approves $76.8 million in bond proceeds; resident speaker urges restraint over $50 million bond component

Hidalgo County drainage officials say nearly $1 billion in district work remains; court approves interlocal with UTRGV and multiple project payments