Commissioners Court discusses 2014-2015 Budget at Workshop and Tax Rate Public Hearing
By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
Maverick County Commissioners Court held a second Budget Workshop for its 2014-2015 Fiscal Year Budget and Tax Rate Public Hearing on Thursday, September 11, 2014, at the Maverick County Commissioners Courtroom.
During the Budget workshop, County Commissioners focused on various items including adjustments and County departments’ updates, requests from various department heads, including 365th Judicial District Judge Amado J. Abascal, III, Maverick County Tax Assessor Collector Isamari Sanchez Villarreal, and Maverick County Justice of the Peace for Precinct No. 1 Kina Mancha.
County Judge David R. Saucedo opened the Budget workshop stating that Commissioners Court continues to work on the 2014-2015 in order to get a clear picture of what Maverick County budget needs are for 2014-2015. “We have made the necessary adjustments from revenues coming in and the increases as a result of the growth in the County. Although we have reduced taxes, our revenues will increase. We are hoping that we will have a surplus this coming year that will help lower our numbers even more,” said Judge Saucedo. “At this juncturem are there any departments that would like to address the court?” asked Judge Saucedo.
365th Judicial District Judge Amado J. Abascal, III, addressed Commissioners Court. “I appreciate this opportunity,” said Judge Abascal. “Our judicial system was established in 1981. At that time, our three counties that comprise the district entered into an agreement that they would fund the district offices based on the population as it represents the total population the district has per each county. Initially, Maverick County’s percentage was 60%,” said Judge Abascal. The three counties comprising the 293rd and 365th Judicial District are Dimmit, Maverick, and Zavala.
Judge Abascal noted that in later years Maverick County’s percentage had been increased to a 62% contribution, but that the newest U.S. Census has changed that percentage due to population growth and that Maverick County is now at almost 72% of the district and that Dimmit and Zavala counties percentages had decreased proportionately.
“This is the reason that I have asked for a higher increase in the budget from the previous year. The contribution portion for Maverick County has gone up by the increase in the percentage,” said Judge Abascal.
Judge Abascal advised Commissioners Court that in the current fiscal year Maverick County is only paying a 56% contribution instead of the 62% agreed to and that it should have been increased last year to 72%.
“Maverick County is way short and I know it’s a big hit for Maverick County, but that’s what the population reflects and what the agreement is between the three counties,” said Judge Abascal.
Judge Abascal advised Commissioners Court that this significant growth is reflected in his proposed 2014-2015 budget and that he was there to clarify this matter for the Court’s new percentage change and budget request.
In addition, Judge Abascal highlighted several budget requests including a supplemental salary for officials and judges. Judge Abascal explained that as a state district judge he is a state employee but that he also wears a different hat as a juvenile judge handling juvenile cases in the three counties, thus warranting a supplemental salary from Maverick County as allowed by law. “The Legislature has allowed the district judges salary to be supplemented by the counties,” said Judge Abascal. Judge Abascal noted that there was a salary cap of $15,000 total for the three counties and that in the past it was divided proportionately.
Judge Abascal further noted that last year Maverick County’s portion of that supplemental salary was based on the 62% contribution, totaling a $9,300.
“The year before last the Legislature increased the cap to $18,000 and I was not aware of it last year when I presented the budget and therefore did not ask for the increase last year,” said Judge Abascal. Judge Abascal stated he had been contacted by the Administrative Judicial Office to notify him of the cap increase to $18,000. Judge Abascal advised Commissioners Court that state district visiting judges salaries are based on the supplemental salary that state district judges are paid.
“They are the ones who brought it to my attention that we had not received the $18,000 supplemental salary as set by the Legislature last year. They asked us to please go back and ask the commissioners to set the supplemental salary for this year at $18,000 because then, that affects the amount of salary the visiting judges receive when sitting on any of our courts in the district,” said Judge Abascal.
Judge Abascal advised Commissioners Court that Maverick County’s contribution for the supplemental salary based on the 72% contribution agreement for 2014-2015 is $12,900.
County Judge Saucedo then asked Judge Abascal if the supplemental salary was required. Judge Abascal replied “We are not required to receive it. It’s a county supplement that we receive and the cap is at $18,000.”
Judge Saucedo stated that he, too, is a juvenile judge and that he does not receive any supplemental pay for handling juvenile cases.
Judge Abascal also requested an increase for maintenance contracts, machinery and equipment, and professional legal services fees for indigent representation of $6,000 that will be reimbursed to the County once funding from the specific grant is allocated.
Judge Abascal also requested Commissioners Court that if a pay increase is given to County employees that the district court employees be considered as well.
Commissioners Court and Judge Abascal discussed the impact of the percentage agreement between the three counties and the supplemental salary allowed by the Legislature on Maverick County’s proposed 2014-2015 Budget.
Maverick County Justice of the Peace for Precinct No. 1 Kina Mancha presented certain budget requests, including a salary increase for her court clerk and allocation of funding for the lease of an office which meets state specifications for a Justice of the Peace. Judge Mancha advised Commissioners Court that her current office does not meet the state requirements for the workload her court handles.
Commissioners Court concurred with Judge Mancha and stated they would seek to alleviate her office situation. Commissioners Court noted that one possible solution would be to relocate Judge Mancha’s office to the new building that was donated to Maverick County by the Eagle Pass Independent School District.
Maverick County Tax Assessor-Collector Isamari Sanchez Villarreal presented several budget requests, including a part-time employee.
Maverick County Road and Bridge Department Director Ernesto Guevara also presented several budget requests.
After discussion, Commissioners Court closed the budget workshop.
Commissioners Court will continue to work on the proposed 2014-2015 Budget and agreed to hold another Budget Workshop on Thursday, September 18th, at 5 P.M. at Commissioners Courtroom in the Maverick County Courthouse. The Budget Workshop is open to the public.
Commissioners Court must approve Maverick County’s 2014-2015 Budget and the property tax rate by no later than September 29th in order for County Tax Assessor-Collector Isamari Sanchez Villarreal to mail out the County’s 2014 tax statements to taxpayers.
