Maverick County renews State Automated Victim Notification System Grant

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

Maverick County Commissioners Court unanimously approved the renewal of its State Automated Victim Notification System (SAVNS) Maintenance Grant contract No.16600174 between the Office of the Attorney General and Maverick County during their meeting held on Thursday, September 24, 2015.

During the meeting, Maverick County Judge David R. Saucedo opened up agenda item No.9 which called for the renewal of this very important contract between Maverick County and the Texas Attorney General’s Office.

Commissioners Court discussed the agenda item in detail as to how it is structured and the purpose of the SAVNS.

After discussion, Commissioners Court unanimously approved the renewal between the Texas Attorney General’s Office and Maverick County.

The SAVNS Maintenance Grant Contract between the Office of the Attorney General and Maverick County for the State Fiscal Year 2016 purpose is to maintain Texas counties in a statewide system that will provide relevant offender release information, notification of relevant court settings or events that promote public safety and support the rights of victims of crime. To accomplish the public purpose, the OAG will reimburse Counties for certain cost incurred in the implementation and operation of its portion of the statewide crime victim notification service to ensure a standard statewide service to all interested counties, including Maverick County.

The SAVNS Grant renewal ensures that Maverick County and its law enforcement and judicial systems are informed of offenders’ release dates from prison or rehabilitative programs, court hearing dates, change of addresses, and provide for victim rights. Maverick County will contribute to the statewide SAVNS by reporting its offenders and information into the system.

Recognizing the importance of a victims’ right to notification in the State of Texas, the 77th Texas legislative session passed HB 1572, which appropriated funds to the Office of the Attorney General to implement a Statewide Automated Victim Notification System.

HB 1572 deals with crime victims’ rights, victim-offender mediation, notifications of escapes and transfers of offenders and the payment of parole supervision fees.

HB 1572 and the Statewide Automated Victim Notification System took effect in 2001.

Maverick County Commissioners Rosy Cantu and Jose Luis Rosales were not present at the September 24, 2015 Commissioners Court meeting.