Maverick County approves Inter-governmental Agreement with City of Eagle Pass

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

Maverick County Commissioners Court approved an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Eagle Pass pertaining to the Texas Department of Agriculture (“TDA”) Office of Colonias Initiatives (“OCI”) Colonia Self-Help Center Program during their meeting held on Monday, August 17,2015.

Maverick County Judge David R. Saucedo opened up agenda item No. 11 stating that this was the first step in the process of the city taking over the self-help program that was previously under the guidance of the county but had to return the grant due to non-compliance with certain grant conditions and terms. The City of Eagle Pass applied for the same grant to avoid the community from losing over $1 Million in grant monies to held certain colonias within the County and adjacent to the City limits.

Eagle Pass Interim City Manager Hector Chavez was present during the meeting to answer any questions that commissioner’s court might have on the agreement.

Commissioner’s Court and Chavez discussed in detail the language of the agreement, including the use of the self-help building and equipment within the building itself.

Chavez stated that representatives of the Texas Department of Agriculture (“TDA”) Office of Colonias Initiatives were to conduct an audit on the existing equipment and furniture found at the County Self-Help Center.

“All the funding is to go to the four colonias within the county, we can’t use it for the city,” said Chavez.

Commissioners Court and Chavez further discussed what was to be done under the grant funding and program.

Commissioners Court then approved the intergovernmental agreement unanimously.

Maverick County Commissioner Pct.1 Jerry Morales wasn’t present during the August 17, 2015 meeting due to a prior commitment.

The City of Eagle Pass agreed to submit a grant application to the Texas Department of Agriculture (“TDA”) Office of Colonias Initiatives (“OCI”) Colonia Self-Help Center Program on Tuesday, February 3, 2015, assuring Maverick County residents’ continued participation in the important Colonia Self-Help Center Program after Maverick County Commissioners Court had to de-obligate (return) a $1,000,000 (Million) grant earlier this year due to non-compliance issues with the program requirements.

The TDA Office of Colonias Initiatives grant program will assist county residents receive financial assistance in remodeling their homes, have access to Computer Labs, participate in a Tool Lending Program, and use funds to cement line a main canal behind Las Quintas Subdivision in attempts to alleviate some flooding issues.

Maverick County Commissioners Court also unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with the City of Eagle Pass under agenda item No. 12 pertaining to the same matter.