Maverick County Commissioners Court has differences with County Auditor on 2013-2014 Budget

By: Jose G. Landa
Copyright 2013

Maverick County Commissioners Court received a big surprise and shock at their September 9, 2013 regular meeting and budget workshop on the 2013-2014 County budget when Maverick County Auditor Fidencio Ortiz presented Commissioners Court the Road and Bridge Department with less than one million dollars than previously discussed and planned for the 2013-2014 fiscal year budget, causing Maverick County Judge David Saucedo to question County Auditor Fidencio Ortiz how the Road and Bridge Department is receiving one million dollars less than previously discussed at earlier budget workshops.

During the budget workshop discussion, County Judge David Saucedo noted to County Auditor Fidencio Ortiz that the Road and Bridge Department budget was reduced from $2,211,000 to $1,226,000 and asked Ortiz how he had derived this reduction. Ortiz replied that “yes” it was true because “those are the taxes that we are trying to move in there to reflect the actual taxes.” County Judge Saucedo then asked Ortiz why these numbers had been changed? Ortiz replied that those are the actual taxes that Road and Bridge will be receiving according to the distribution of funds that we have. Saucedo asked Ortiz “So you are saying that the 2013-2014 fiscal year Road and Bridge will be having a one million in shortfall of taxes?” Saucedo another question to Ortiz, “How did it go from $2.4 million in anticipation figures to half of that?” Assistant County Auditor Carla Mazuka answered “What happened is that we moved the formulas. We were waiting for you to tell us what to do.” Saucedo queried “Who told you that?” Mazuka replied “We called your office to contact you.” Saucedo noted the entire proposed budget had been left unchanged except the Road and Bridge Department. Saucedo asked Ortiz “Why did you change this? Who told you to change this? Did I ask you to change this?” Oritz replied “No.” Saucedo replied “Why did you change this?” “As Budget Officer it is my responsibility for changes,” said Saucedo. Ortiz replied “No.” Saucedo responded “No. I don’t tell you what formula goes in there.” Ortiz replied “No. Remember I assist you. I don’t take Orders from you.” Saucedo replied “No Sir. But you didn’t change any numbers and you’re not supposed to change this either without consultation or approval of Commissioners Court or I.” Ortiz replied his office tried calling the County Judge to get together with him. Saucedo responded “No this is wrong.”

Maverick County financial advisor Roberto Rodriguez told County Judge Saucedo that what County Auditor Fidencio Ortiz was saying is that the County will not have sufficient tax revenues by one million dollars for the Road and Bridge Department.

The budget workshop ended after the discussion between Saucedo and Ortiz.

Earlier in the meeting, County Judge David Saucedo stated that the proposed 2013-2014 County budget included a three percent wage increase for county employees except elected officials.