[{"_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",6484430,"mediaKeyId","5739639-1baebe7d56113a7ac223a0b2d1a9d68a","parentId",5739639,"title","Votes at a glance: Cameron County Commissioners Court actions, Sept. 9, 2025","audioSeconds",214,"startMs",2034000,"endMs",2248000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5739639-1baebe7d56113a7ac223a0b2d1a9d68a&start=2034&end=2248","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5739639-1baebe7d56113a7ac223a0b2d1a9d68a/thumbnail_2034000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6484430/Cameron-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Cameron-County-Commissioners-Court-actions-Sept-9-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6484430-8e69525c869df6df733c8649a5788134/orig.mp4?Expires=1770534920&Signature=bktxPvMFlKMiT8o93N7lHDObNmIt3iFMeEwHi2ywzsAYhU8dbA~I9Rp7jgfM2ijDR33ix2uOf~bLeA7sdsCuR8iN0n5XNfe921KhHiG8yp5WrICdmlWxiR5NuFjyqZVvmI2VPr4zQ-nD9gQiP3A7HgweyEf9R~~zaFDvb7aMLe40fhUCOAIj63JyWk2CGd1k1NzWoAD2SwNznirXbtgd8Hbg51z6FHV-KLpAN0L7r32SvWALZr659KH0T41DnxWXh~omoHB741NDy5~2pC6LOh78saVzQltEpKdZhkiGz8x0nKUbzLn4IK4k9cxeGd9D8RA-9t5PML3NChUw5lwWGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cameron","date","2025-09-09T00:00:00Z","article","The Cameron County Commissioners Court on Sept. 9 took a series of routine and executive actions. Below is a concise summary of motions made, movers, seconders, and outcomes recorded on the meeting record.

Key outcomes
- Consent agenda (items 2A–2AA): Approved. Motion to approve made by Commissioner Gassell; seconded by Commissioner Lopez. Outcome: motion carries.
- Travel items (3A–3F): Approved. Motion by Commissioner Lopez; second by Commissioner Reese.
- Budget amendments (Item 4A): Approved (juvenile grants, probation grants, allocation from LATCF and 2024 COs for the Isla Blanca Park project). Motion by Commissioner Lopez; second by Commissioner Reese.
- Approval of claims (Item 4B): Approved. Motion by Commissioner Gottes (recorded on the transcript as the mover); second by Commissioner Lopez. General claims reported at $9,764,379.97; medical claims $685,263.28. Commissioner Reese recorded an abstention on claim number 585203; court approved the remainder of claims.
- Commissioners Court calendar and regular meeting schedule (Items 4C–4D): Approved. Motion by Commissioner Gadison (scheduling) and Commissioner Gottesman (meeting time and place); seconded as recorded. Meetings set for 9:30 a.m. at the Cameron County Courthouse (Historic Dancy Building, 1100 E. Monroe St., Brownsville).
- Elections budgets (Items 4E and 4F): Adopted. Other governmental elections fund budget and Cameron County Chapter 19 Elections Fund budget adopted as presented; motions made and seconded as recorded in the transcript; court approved both items.
- Subdivision rules (Item 4G): Tabled. Motion to table by Commissioner Lopez; second by Commissioner Gusa.
- Health insurance presentation (Item 4H): Presentation acknowledged. Motion to acknowledge by Commissioner Lopez; second by Commissioner Reese.
- Extension of paid suspension for sheriff deputies (Item 4I): Tabled. Motion to table by Commissioner Lopez; second by Commissioner Garza.
- Public-health department restructuring (Item 4J): Approved. Motion to recognize and approve the presented restructuring plan by Commissioner Lopez; second by Commissioner Reese; motion carries.

Executive‑session actions (Item 7)
- Item 7C: Authorized the county judge to negotiate and execute amendments to contract 2024C11508, subject to final legal review and ratification by the court. Motion by Commissioner Lopez; second by Commissioner Reese; approved.
- Item 7M: Approved possession and use agreement payment for partial acquisition related to Brownie Avenue widening in the amount of $9,500 plus an additional $1,000 to execute the agreement, plus closing costs; county judge authorized to execute documents and county auditor/treasurer to process payment. Motion by Commissioner Garza; second by Commissioner Reese; approved.
- Item 7O: Authorized Veil Legal to represent Cameron County in eminent‑domain proceedings in cause no. 2025CCL853 (NewStar Logistics LP v. Joseph Hernandez). Motion by Commissioner Lopez; second by Commissioner Reese; approved.
- Remaining executive items (7A, 7B, 7D–7L, 7N): Acknowledged and proceeded as discussed. Motion by Commissioner Garza; second by Commissioner Lopez; approved.

Adjournment: Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Gottesel; second by Commissioner Lopez. Court adjourned at 12:12 p.m.

Notes: Where the transcript recorded only a motion maker and seconder without roll-call votes, this summary records the motion, second and the court’s announced outcome. When the transcript specifies an abstention or other recorded exception (for example, Commissioner Reese’s abstention on claim 585203), that is noted here.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cameron - Commissioner's Court","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of motions and formal actions taken by the Cameron County Commissioners Court on Sept. 9, 2025, including approvals, tabling motions, and executive‑session outcomes.","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},6484433,"County auditors warn of insurance fund deficit; GLP‑1 drugs cited as major cost driver",924,176000,1100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5739639-1baebe7d56113a7ac223a0b2d1a9d68a&start=176&end=1100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5739639-1baebe7d56113a7ac223a0b2d1a9d68a/thumbnail_176000.jpg","/articles/6484433/Cameron-County/Texas/County-auditors-warn-of-insurance-fund-deficit-GLP1-drugs-cited-as-major-cost-driver","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6484433-012c3f8ef3350f647c76f64c03e3331a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770534920&Signature=DHr8eQSovxxc0FBGnX~jmI7KAdA4fu4fdbhFPZBVFx99L5ZHBje8BK-tP0kbzYuePFhTNYzxzzxHozWPfnGmIT6oS4rwjwzMH2MUG9j5udk69SW6QQ5OeL8J8WoLRm8V0ucSIJ7H-h0FERsPfX0jsvp-BbX0CrF2sl15H8YmCKb2mo7rYQctCkinBPJgqiPDJC3NYZeQWCIxmsljrS6elbrpcXBnzhmF44mW8Sm4Asmbh~kV1FMNMjK2cssYN85bKLsdacMBO8fcJn8pwq74aSoVrfN0AiBR8X~3KeYk5c-5a5t1ilbphHeP7Tw0jtsuXT5olPgr9IYLF-0SgWtwpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cameron County officials on Sept. 9 were presented with updated claims and enrollment figures for the county health insurance plan and warned of a projected deficit driven in part by high-cost GLP‑1 prescription drugs.

Internal Audit Director Lizetta Laffa told the court the agenda included general claims totaling $9,764,379.97, medical claims totaling $685,263.28, and a payroll estimate for Sept. 12 with a gross of $4,555,197 and net pay estimated at $2,837,303. Laffa presented cumulative medical and pharmacy claims for October 2024 through July 2025 and projections for August and September.

Roger Gossett, lead consultant for Value Risk Consulting, told the court the plan faced roughly a $22,800,000 deficit figure. He said much of the rising prescription cost is driven by GLP‑1 drugs, which the county is paying about $1,400 per monthly prescription and which about 200 plan members are taking.

Gossett said the county is examining containment measures and expecting additional expensive drugs from manufacturers. “We are coming up with some recommendations how we can kind of contain that cost,” he said, and suggested changes such as formulary controls and alternative procurement that could lower costs; staff estimated that alternative sourcing could save on the order of $900,000 per year if implemented and allowed by the carrier (Aetna).

County staff said stop‑loss renewal materials are due Sept. 17 and that the court will be asked to act at a special meeting on Sept. 30 (the court referenced bringing updated figures at the regular meeting on Sept. 23). The court moved to acknowledge the presentation; the motion was made by Commissioner Lopez and seconded by Commissioner Reese and carried with no recorded opposition.

Officials also discussed non‑claim steps the county could pursue to control costs, including employee wellness incentives or gym subsidies, but noted such programs would require funding decisions and that some savings may come from vacant county positions. Staff reported 548 employees had completed enrollment out of 1,788 total employees and that the county currently has about 102 vacant general-fund positions.

No stop‑loss contract was executed at the Sept. 9 meeting; staff said they expect updated carrier quotes next week and will return to the court with a recommendation at the special meeting.","County staff reported a projected shortfall in the county health insurance fund and identified high-cost GLP‑1 medications (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro) as a primary driver. The court acknowledged the presentation and was told a stop‑loss decision will be taken at a special meeting.",{"_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},6484434,"Cameron County approves public-health restructuring after federal grant cuts",213,2021000,2234000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5739639-1baebe7d56113a7ac223a0b2d1a9d68a&start=2021&end=2234","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5739639-1baebe7d56113a7ac223a0b2d1a9d68a/thumbnail_2021000.jpg","/articles/6484434/Cameron-County/Texas/Cameron-County-approves-public-health-restructuring-after-federal-grant-cuts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6484434-e72b6db8f5943c8e1c7f750b073ed404/orig.mp4?Expires=1770534920&Signature=Gf0JDKxG9yOu-wkUNUlgej2RLp6MRhtU3DhLHJDbwBWPpooMjgAiVuNt-1kxpkVlnm4ngKgoRUYvoLnm45q~CQUCpmyDTOlT15N7BF~83jvblP1tSVRaXOjvOcMQ3B~usudiEsIgirldHBYcpITknkUrJHlCTE4JxzQlhXlgPQrpkSflTura6O-FdHDXaNJres2pPr3ZecDcBrHzXlZ9m-IV1xUEBLkXZHdnBqDaJkcSsVgFuotjufLWNG8zmsFtFKI0k2RPssQITX~pJZY8WGrUwR1-Aj3ExcErJls4d6Igki0Gcx42qv~9lQiUmjmRksL0AHD~NfyZP-znHfOxhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cameron County Commissioners Court on Sept. 9 approved a restructuring of county public-health operations after officials said federal grant reductions and changing eligibility rules have forced staff cuts and put programs at risk.

The restructuring, presented by a public-health official identified in the meeting as Esmer Ward, was approved on a motion by Commissioner Lopez and seconded by Commissioner Reese. The court voted unanimously to recognize and approve the plan.

County public-health leaders told the court that federal funding changes this year required elimination of 10 employees in March 2025 and that additional cuts have since affected the tuberculosis and preparedness programs. Ward told the court she expects continued changes to federal eligibility rules that could shift services based on residency and citizenship and that other programs, including “Healthy Brain and Aging” (Alzheimer’s work) and family planning, face uncertainty.

“We had to eliminate 10 employees,” Ward said during the presentation. “My plan is to give you pretty much a bare bones of a health department if all the grants be taken from us at some point next year.”

Ward said the department has already frozen positions to reduce the immediate impact but that the proposed organizational chart and budget—presented to the court as budget neutral for the coming year—are intended to position the department for possible deeper losses if federal funding is further reduced. She emphasized that much of the pressure originates from federal-level changes and not the county or state.

Commissioners and the judge thanked Ward and staff for their work. Commissioner Lopez moved to approve the restructuring plan; Commissioner Reese seconded. The court approved the motion without recorded opposition.

The court did not adopt additional, department‑specific follow-up tasks during the public discussion; Ward and staff were directed to continue monitoring federal changes and to return with updates or recommended actions if further funding losses occur.

County officials said the restructuring seeks to preserve essential services while acknowledging the risk that additional federal directives or grant eliminations could require further reductions or changes to service levels.","Cameron County Commissioners on Sept. 9 approved a reorganization of the county public-health department after federal funding cuts forced prior layoffs and raised uncertainty about future grant eligibility and program scope.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Cameron County Commissioners Court actions, Sept. 9, 2025

County auditors warn of insurance fund deficit; GLP‑1 drugs cited as major cost driver

Cameron County approves public-health restructuring after federal grant cuts