At its Feb. 24 meeting the Hidalgo County Commissioners Court approved a broad series of routine and project items by voice vote. The meeting record shows each item was presented, motioned and carried; the transcript typically records “So moved,” “Second” and “All in favor, say aye. Aye. Motion carries.” Below are the court’s recorded actions and key details as captured in the meeting transcript.

Key votes and approvals (selected highlights from the transcript):

- Consent agenda: Court approved the consent agenda by voice vote (recorded motion and aye).

- 30-year drainage easement: Court approved acceptance of a 30‑year drainage easement of 1.95 acres from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (agenda item 6.b) and approved payment of $19,500 to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for that easement (motion carried by voice vote).

- Construction payment applications: The court approved multiple contractor payment applications recorded in the transcript, including (verbatim from agenda language): application payment No. 9 in the amount of $79,969.93 to Welch Escobargent Construction (North Main Drain, contract CCD1220660502); payment No. 6 in the amount of $80,126.44 to RBM Contracts; and other contractor payment applications referenced in the meeting. Each of these items was approved by motion and voice vote.

- Bid award: The court approved awarding a construction contract for Aniquitas Drainage Improvement Project Phase 2 to Gonzales Engineering and Management LLC as the lowest responsive bidder (agenda language). The court recorded a motion, second and voice vote to carry the award, subject to final review and House Bill 1295 compliance.

- Change order authority: The court approved a resolution under Texas Water Code that authorizes the drainage district general manager to approve change orders up to $50,000 (agenda item 8.2). The court also approved specific change orders on projects, including a South I Road East Side drainage change order (increase noted in the agenda text) and a Highway 281 change order increasing cost and calendar days (agenda items recorded and approved by voice vote).

- Project retainage and final payments: The court approved retainage releases, progress payments and related items for multiple contractors and projects (motions approved by voice vote as shown in the transcript).

- Professional services and procurement actions: The court approved multiple professional services contracts, design agreements, and exemptions from competitive bidding where permitted by law (House Bill 1295 compliance was repeated in several items). Where the agenda required compliance or final legal review, approvals were recorded subject to that review.

- Grants and grant applications: The court approved submittal of amended AmeriCorps Seniors grant applications (Senior Companions, Retired Senior Volunteer Program and Foster Grandparent Program) with authorization for county staff to electronically sign related documents. The court also approved multiple Operational Lone Star grant application authorizations for emergency management and public safety offices.

- Appointments and interlocal agreements: The court approved the appointment of a member to the Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority and approved an agreement with the McAllen Chamber of Commerce to administer a “Jumpstart” initiative under the County’s economic development program.

- Purchases and leases: The court approved procurement items recorded in the transcript — for example, three 2024 Silverado vehicles for Constable Precinct 4 and other equipment purchases — by motion and voice vote.

- Juvenile Mental Health Facility procurement: The court later voted to reject bids and cease negotiations with the previously recommended top-ranked contractor (RG Enterprises / DBA GNG Contractors) for the Hidalgo County Juvenile Mental Health Facility project; the motion to reject bids passed despite one recorded dissent and was approved by the court.

Formal outcomes: The transcript records voice votes for nearly all items and records “motion carries” after each “aye.” Where dollar amounts or contract details in the agenda text are garbled in the audio transcript, the court nonetheless recorded motions and approvals (the transcript reproduces agenda text; some line items contained imprecise numeric transcriptions). Where approvals were subject to final legal review or HB 1295 compliance, the court recorded approvals with that condition.

What to watch next: Several project items — including the North Main Drain project discussed in a separate presentation and multiple GLO CDBG infrastructure grant items — remain subject to external approvals, environmental review, certifying authority review, or final legal/compliance checks noted in the court record. The Juvenile Mental Health Facility procurement will be rebid/evaluated after the court’s action to cease negotiations with the previous top-ranked firm.