Over 76 Maverick Countians Set to be Laid Off at Maverick County Detention Center

By: Jose G. Landa, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2015

Over 76 Maverick Countians currently working at the Maverick County Detention Center operated by Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber will be laid off from employment in the immediate future as Maverick County Commissioners Court unanimously approved to declare a financial exigency (emergency) due to the closing of the Maverick County Detention Center at their special meeting held on Monday, July 27, 2015.

Commissioners Court initiated the next step of laying off County employees after the cessation of operations and removal of all inmates at the Maverick County Detention Center.

The over 76 Maverick County Detention Center employees soon to be laid off by Maverick County will receive counseling from Maverick County Human Resources Director Jesus Sanchez regarding their employment benefits, retirement, unemployment benefits, and options during the upcoming week.

At the July 27, 2015 meeting, Maverick County Judge David R. Saucedo called for regular Agenda Item No.16 seeking a declaration of a financial exigency caused by the cessation of operations of the Maverick County Detention Center and Agenda Item No.17 calling for the possible implementation of a reduction in force (RIF) as to County personnel due to the cessation of operations of the Maverick County Detention Center, to be taken into Executive Session to consult with legal counsel, Woody Wilson.

After reconvening into Open Session and consulting with legal counsel Woody Wilson on the matters, Judge Saucedo stated that both agenda items No. 16 and No.17 were to be withdrawn and that agenda items No.1 and No.2 under executive session dealing with the same matters were the ones that be acted on at that point in time.

County Commissioner Precinct 4 Roberto Ruiz made the following motion: “My motion is for Maverick County Sheriff to provide written notice to all employees of the Maverick County Detention Center hereby declaring a financial exigency caused by the cessation of the operation of the Maverick County Detention Center.”

County Commissioner Precinct 3 Jose Luis Rosales seconded the motion.

Judge Saucedo called for any discussion of the motion on the floor.

Judge Saucedo asked Maverick County Financial Advisor Raul Villasenor and Maverick County Treasurer Rito J. Valdez, III, if Commissioners Court declaration of a financial exigency due to the cessation of operations of the Maverick County Detention Center was consistent with what was necessary to proceed forward.

Both Villasenor and Valdez replied that Commissioners Court had properly declared the financial exigency due to the cessation of operations at the Detention Center.

Commissioners Court unanimously approved the motion.

Under Executive Session agenda item No. 2 which called for a possible implementation of a reduction in force (RIF) as to County personnel due to the cessation of operation of the Maverick County Detention Center, Judge Saucedo called for a motion upon reconvening in Open Session.

Once again, Commissioner Ruiz made the following motion: “I motion, based on the discussion under executive session, that the Maverick County Sheriff to provide written notice to the MCDC employees due to the financial exigency caused by the cessation of operations of the Maverick County Detention Center.” Commissioner Rosales seconded the motion.

Judge Saucedo called for any discussion, which there were none.

Commissioners Court unanimously approved authorizing Sheriff Tom Schmerber to give written notice to the Detention Center employees of their soon to be terminated employment status due to the closing of the prison by Maverick County.

County Commissioners Rosy Cantu and Gerardo “Jerry” Morales were not present at the July 27, 2015 special meeting.