[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",6479229,"mediaKeyId","5706723-3a4136d5783d1d651d428c875d646e7f","parentId",5706723,"title","NextDecade to support Cameron County fire marshal and emergency management under multi-year MOU","audioSeconds",126,"startMs",970000,"endMs",1096000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5706723-3a4136d5783d1d651d428c875d646e7f&start=970&end=1096","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5706723-3a4136d5783d1d651d428c875d646e7f/thumbnail_970000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6479229/Cameron-County/Texas/NextDecade-to-support-Cameron-County-fire-marshal-and-emergency-management-under-multi-year-MOU","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479229-006e7f2cf2fc4bf59b60d43961243ac9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447615&Signature=Eww-6Tc6R8x~0a7GwgUu7SH5-QeupbG96qlAnahW3~GxsVK7S956~UAqhSXipSljodmhIL3qJXKbLxPlD6mzCfEStQ-69RPUcK77X4YHkEQ0Oz~P~ihHI3oUXGrNrsLSs6~wgfZTfrluuUgFh-ZRQnpGCk7qTusGYh33rIV04ml7GXp5wY~2N~4pan6gfAxq8HZnEHcOwzZB3rncN2cXDZv-oBJkUBUrQB2eSE5xzN2CDFC7MoQhNQP7WJF7cSDFNX3X0ED~JiRNny2LlOS8h~Du~LneHHXXBlEPPeO5-kY~VB3sPgLd5dey4CNYo4EGcq8E4QpAYsuYWbcv8D9pYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cameron","date","2025-09-02T00:00:00Z","article","The Cameron County Commissioners Court heard a presentation on a memorandum of understanding with NextDecade (Rio Grande LNG) to provide professional services and support for the county's fire marshal and emergency management functions.

County staff said the MOU responds to increased inspection needs following growth in population and the cancellation of a prior contract with Sandler. A NextDecade representative told the court the company is \"proud to be able to support Cameron County and the emergency management department, and we look forward to our continued collaboration.\" Presenters described the agreement as a four-year arrangement to assist with inspections and other professional services that will support the fire marshal's office.

Court members thanked NextDecade for stepping in to assist and noted the arrangement is important to maintaining inspection capacity across the county. The record indicates the court had approved the MOU prior to the presentation and asked staff and the company to provide the briefing so the public would understand the nature of the support.

What was on the record: Staff described the agreement as a multi-year professional service arrangement to provide inspection and fire-marshal support; NextDecade representatives and county officials publicly thanked each other for the collaboration. No new vote was taken during the presentation because the court indicated the MOU had been approved earlier in the process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cameron - Commissioner's Court","oneSentenceSummary","County officials presented a memorandum of understanding under which NextDecade (Rio Grande LNG) will provide professional services to support Cameron County's fire marshal and emergency management functions amid increased inspection demands.","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},6479234,"Cameron County adds BISD administration building as vote center and approves ExpressPoll e-poll books",89,3693000,3782000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5706723-3a4136d5783d1d651d428c875d646e7f&start=3693&end=3782","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5706723-3a4136d5783d1d651d428c875d646e7f/thumbnail_3693000.jpg","/articles/6479234/Cameron-County/Texas/Cameron-County-adds-BISD-administration-building-as-vote-center-and-approves-ExpressPoll-e-poll-books","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479234-5fb61093b89404927e445970162a3a75/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447615&Signature=k-Y1Tq9uB24r~55z2aPJw~qhXK3b68IO7zGSIxzHycCP8ZgUx~8DIVJNsdIBZPl3-CpYJDGyaoPPevoTLpQX9GyliGbNBEVKAn-XRBOZrqJ1AT7Di8rtI59XRYCQ-~NzczgKuVFIfXnupxRg~Ey9tiGdsBZKQ6kK3TzC7yABHotXhEQDaC~xZIJqo2wH1iHLb7tzyq79ds3Rm6czoh9CFOfu5bl9MjlcgXDFv8cwkyv63kYORR4~OubIZszDQocOnkzijgGVlEdeiUkpfntKN5nJiMHyhZ43m0cb-ceXbglNhBtVVyoLJN2cJYKXtfcubnwrCUBaZmgEvv1u5nQ7og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cameron County Commissioners Court approved adding the Brownsville Independent School District administration building as an election-day vote center for the Nov. 4, 2025 constitutional amendment and local joint election, and authorized the acquisition of ExpressPoll electronic poll books from Election Systems & Software (ES&S) under Texas BuyBoard contract number 710-23.

Remy, an elections staff presenter, told the court that the county's previous e-poll book vendor would no longer support the VoteSafe system and that ES&S's ExpressPoll system integrates with the county's ballot-on-demand printing and other election-night systems. Staff recommended using the BuyBoard cooperative purchasing contract to speed acquisition. The court approved acquisition of 137 ExpressPoll units and associated maintenance, tablets and software to implement the e-poll book system.

Staff also discussed grant funding to offset the purchase. Officials said they had applied for a secretary of state security grant and expected a quick award; in the interim the county may front the purchase with the expectation of reimbursement. Presenters said the guaranteed allocation from the state grant program discussed in the meeting was in the neighborhood of $62,000, and county staff would set up a budget line to accept reimbursement if the grant is awarded.

Why it matters: Electronic poll books speed voter check-in and help counties maintain accurate cross-checking between locations. Staff emphasized certification and interoperability: the ExpressPoll system is certified by the secretary of state and integrates with the county's existing ES&S ballot systems, election-night software and ballot printing workflows.

Votes and next steps: The court approved the vote-center addition and the ExpressPoll acquisition by recorded motions; staff will finalize purchase orders and seek grant reimbursement if awarded.","The commissioners approved adding Brownsville ISD's administration building as an election-day vote center for the Nov. 4, 2025 election and authorized purchase of 137 ExpressPoll electronic poll books from ES&S under a Texas BuyBoard contract; county staff said they will front purchase costs pending a fast-track state grant 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},6479239,"Cameron County awards roughly $11.7 million contract for Isla Blanca Park utility improvements",338,3314000,3652000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5706723-3a4136d5783d1d651d428c875d646e7f&start=3314&end=3652","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5706723-3a4136d5783d1d651d428c875d646e7f/thumbnail_3314000.jpg","/articles/6479239/Cameron-County/Texas/Cameron-County-awards-roughly-117-million-contract-for-Isla-Blanca-Park-utility-improvements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479239-2992bff59c6e047644b5246483d254ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447615&Signature=KtI4omYwEqexRbqUHcZ3N-aNYSKJDV9CL4Ah22C0x9mKYwHPdK2OjV5FMi-iQXlHDZH1ghuUZ9BhAju3ujo7Gmytzk9CDuG4H9GH6NP~~MhkkWQDS0SpdLGu757CiakLDizoODTrm7eECYb7Nh7zGl5U-EoNDrPGm4McclHjd0VsiAc9-7xHDUp-f4mDZj0iazO6VghvaRFmIiswqMvCduOQDa5SI5oLA9HCjXoxxKh2m2aiBPshvcemvyLi8jRjsd253RKw55JL-nn89pb46KrXFnajJc5Ys-3tYubwSBWETUsM~RoYvIuAlNxt4cbm6J-H46gEO1n8jD9HZrLUqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cameron County commissioners approved a contract with Mortwill LLC for utility improvements at Isla Blanca Park, awarding the project at a contract amount presented as $11,690,054.74 and a construction term of 365 calendar days.

County staff said the contract (listed as contract number 2025C08432 in meeting materials) came in lower than an earlier engineering estimate and that staff would reallocate funds from several previously committed projects and bond proceeds to cover the award. Presenters told the court the county planned to phase construction so that portions of the park could reopen as sections were completed. Staff said the contractor expected to deliver bonds and insurance in the next few days and that an October 1 anticipated start date was the target.

Funding for the project was described during the meeting as a mix of previously allocated CO (certificate of obligation) money from 2024 and 2019, proceeds from bonds, interest earnings, ARPA funds, and internal reallocations from other park projects and warehouse allocations. Staff said the county would return reallocated funds to their original programs as the Isla Blanca project progressed and funds became available.

Legal review was noted on the record before the approval motion. A motion to approve the contract was made by Commissioner Reese and seconded by Commissioner Lopez; the court approved the award with one abstention. Commissioner Garza stated an abstention \"out of abundance of caution\" and that there was no relation to the contractor, which was reflected in the public record.

Why it matters: Isla Blanca Park is a major county park facility; the contract value and planned source reallocation mean the project will affect capital spending and other park-area projects during construction. Staff emphasized phasing to reduce the impact on park operations.

Next steps: Staff will finalize bonds and insurance with the contractor, complete any outstanding contract paperwork and proceed toward the planned October 1 construction start date if contract requirements are satisfied.","The court approved a contract with Mortwill LLC to perform utility improvements at Isla Blanca Park for about $11.69 million; the project is expected to start around Oct. 1 and run 365 calendar days. Commissioner Garza abstained from the vote.",{"_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},6479243,"Cameron County adopts 2025–26 budget, sets tax rate and approves multi-year pay increases",907,1205000,2112000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5706723-3a4136d5783d1d651d428c875d646e7f&start=1205&end=2112","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5706723-3a4136d5783d1d651d428c875d646e7f/thumbnail_1205000.jpg","/articles/6479243/Cameron-County/Texas/Cameron-County-adopts-202526-budget-sets-tax-rate-and-approves-multi-year-pay-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479243-4091892f6a4325c9745e9d6bc008f24c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447615&Signature=a-fcdSGNbRMnyifuyeNP~M5Uv2qsVkmItCXLdJCAZuICmRINqDlCuWVGAo0ebH3cVyQYHWbUFhpp8z8Wx4WchLgDLHxIN6ckr25kggTQ8B2mRedLrVE77nvaBwFI-0cGaGvpW5MVFcPjp4xn-PdOoXcUUGT2e0rgSkEgY8Uf0RPMnVLQo6Z~eQ7qPWjBTZ2NUGI4Z9SN2JyXE~j8VjJb3ctNRs4e89vq7X1gnJ5b2zdRgDTIGo9ZHTn0ZPGvcHhi1YiItUuq2tvNBBzCJg9uPyWTDuF-EGyuQsASzNHKNvSRVb60IQRlcXcRSpljccxaGzDYE3woAuh2e6JjSL1E4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cameron County Commissioners Court adopted the county's 2025–26 operating budgets and set the county tax rate at 0.424393 per $100 of valuation at a public meeting. Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the budgets and record the tax-rate vote.

The adoption follows a public hearing on the proposed budgets and a presentation by county finance staff that laid out fund-by-fund changes, planned use of fund balance and personnel investments. Javier, a county staff presenter, told the court the overall general fund budget shows an increase and that the package \"does reflect a quarter of a cent tax rate reduction.\" He also said tax revenues make up about 72% of total general fund revenues.

County administration highlighted compensation changes as a core part of the budget. Anthony, an administration presenter, summarized the pay actions and called them an investment in county staff: \"This commissioner's court is doing is investing in their employees at the same time simultaneously lowering the property tax rate to help the property owners and taxpayers of Cameron County.\" The court approved a 5% across-the-board salary increase for county employees and additional targeted raises: a 10% increase for peace officers, detention officers and dispatchers and other adjustments for assistant district attorneys.

Officials provided the budget breakdowns included in the meeting backup. For the general fund, the 5% across-the-board increase for 2025–26 was presented as roughly $4,000,000. The law-enforcement-specific increase (the additional 10%) was shown as about $2,000,000; county-wide increases in employer health insurance contributions were shown as approximately $1,100,000. Presenters said detention officers (276 positions) and peace officers (215 positions across multiple departments) were included in the 10% increase line items and that assistant district attorneys would receive a variable adjustment totaling about $850,000.

The court also summarized longer-term results of its pay strategy: presenters said the county has reduced its property tax rate in three consecutive years (two half-cent reductions and one quarter-cent reduction) while making cumulative compensation investments since FY2019 they described as about $32,510,000. Staff said the county contribution for health insurance rose from $9,000 to $9,550 per employee for the coming year without increasing employee premiums.

Votes at the meeting: a motion to approve the entire set of budgets was made by Commissioner Garza and seconded by Commissioner Lopez; the motion passed unanimously. A separate motion to set the tax rate at 0.424393 per $100 valuation was moved (recorded mover: Commissioner Gottesem, seconded by Commissioner Lopez) and the court recorded a unanimous vote in favor.

Why it matters: County officials said the combined approach of modest tax-rate reductions and sizable salary investments is intended to aid recruitment and retention for essential services such as law enforcement and detention. Presenters also emphasized limits on future flexibility, noting declines in some federal revenues and the continued use of some fund balance for specific funds.

Looking ahead, staff said supplemental budget documents and the full 540-page budget document would be made available for public inspection; commissioners directed staff to post the compensation presentation to the county website and to distribute it to county employees.","The Cameron County Commissioners Court adopted the county's 2025–26 budgets, set the tax rate at 0.424393 per $100 of valuation and approved multi-year compensation increases including a 5% across-the-board raise and targeted increases for law enforcement and detention staff.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6479223,"Court adopts Park Ranger impartial-policing policy, freezes hiring and approves pay-grade adjustment after closed session",0,4108000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5706723-3a4136d5783d1d651d428c875d646e7f&start=4108&end=4108","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5706723-3a4136d5783d1d651d428c875d646e7f/thumbnail_4108000.jpg","/articles/6479223/Cameron-County/Texas/Court-adopts-Park-Ranger-impartial-policing-policy-freezes-hiring-and-approves-pay-grade-adjustment-after-closed-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479223-b9086e1891b377976642c3aeaafca92d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447615&Signature=msl3DvJuvgkary1NVW0sruv~LifRXaeFR1U6AGYsXavrsltp8HTKvMioPbyejVH78rj5vFe5Wuh8XUjA1PRj9LeNPBrQp-DD4Z-mhIC76LiGPA8NLB8zTbuInFeZxaU1nuSZ8TQae9bjdAMtYqfanyUJq2x2poKAGe07WzfH-YkR7v2BpwxpGfzDwcvxYZlDmKtEtgF1WUm51XZq1-ldSkQFKLgGKNVdXeb7SEhLmg1Eggbo1xTmjG-bEJKcCyYB7hgaF6MMCybVosijsnELZs05QHZNRmyshdbm0ONJWDCb9yLWxgjwHVmoE52Gt3KVYw7DKhWcOZa-RQ15~F1TtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cameron County Commissioners Court adopted an impartial-policing policy for the Park Ranger Division, approved a pay-grade adjustment for a position in the employee benefits fund, and voted to freeze hiring for a currently advertised park ranger position.

Commissioner Godwin moved to adopt the Park Ranger Division impartial-policing policy; Commissioner Lopez seconded and the court approved the policy on the record. Following a closed session, Commissioner Lopez moved to adjust the pay grade for PCN 402172002 (employee benefits fund), the motion was seconded by Commissioner Reese and approved. Separately, the court approved a motion to freeze hiring for the currently advertised park ranger position until further notice; that motion was moved by Commissioner Lopez, seconded by Commissioner Reese and approved.

Court members acknowledged the items took place after an executive session conducted under applicable Texas Government Code provisions; actions returned to the public record and were approved by majority vote. Commissioners asked staff to proceed with the administrative steps required to implement the pay-grade change and the hiring freeze.

Why it matters: The impartial-policing policy establishes county-level guidance for park rangers' policing practices. The hiring freeze and pay-grade action are personnel decisions the court said are administrative in nature and will be handled by the relevant departments.","Following closed session the court approved an impartial-policing policy for the Park Ranger Division, moved to freeze hiring for an advertised park ranger position and approved a pay-grade adjustment for an employee-benefits fund position.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

NextDecade to support Cameron County fire marshal and emergency management under multi-year MOU

Cameron County adds BISD administration building as vote center and approves ExpressPoll e-poll books

Cameron County awards roughly $11.7 million contract for Isla Blanca Park utility improvements

Cameron County adopts 2025–26 budget, sets tax rate and approves multi-year pay increases

Court adopts Park Ranger impartial-policing policy, freezes hiring and approves pay-grade adjustment after closed session