Maverick County Commissioners Court approves hiring Financial Advisor & Special Counsel for Maverick County Detention Center issues
By: Jose G. Landa
Copyright 2013 Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
Maverick County Commissioners Court unanimously approved to hire Southwestern Capital Markets, Inc. as financial advisor to assist Maverick County with the 2007 Maverick County Public Facility Corporation’s Bondholders and Trustees with the transition of management to the Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber and to hire the law firm of Langley & Banack, Inc. as Special Counsel to assist Maverick County with the transition of the 625 bed prison facility’s management to Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber at their special meeting held on Monday, October 28, 2013, in Eagle Pass, Texas.
Maverick County Commissioners Court also approved that County Judge David Saucedo negotiate and execute a letter of engagement with Langley & Banack, Inc. as Special Counsel and the terms thereof, the rate of compensation, retainer fee, and waiver of conflicts regarding any issues arising from Maverick County’s taking over management and operation of the Maverick County Detention Center.
The Geo Group, Inc. notified Maverick County that it was withdrawing from managing the $42 Million 625 bed prison facility effective November 1st on or about October 1, 2013.
On October 21st, Maverick County Commissioners Court approved that Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber take over management and operation of the Maverick County Detention Center. Sheriff Schmerber appointed Guillermo De Los Santos as the new warden of the Maverick County Detention Center.
Maverick County will have to spend approximately $700,000 during the first two months of operating the Maverick County Detention Center estimated Roberto Rodriguez of Southwestern Capital Markets, Inc.
Maverick County’s success in operating the Maverick County Detention Center depends on the county receiving federal pre-trial detainees and undocumented alien defendants from Operation Streamline from the U.S. Marshal’s Service awaiting final adjudication of federal criminal charges before the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, Del Rio Division, in Del Rio, Texas. Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber also is talking to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons about the possibility of housing some of their federal prisoners at the Maverick County Detention Center.
Maverick County suffered a minor setback when the U.S. Marshal’s Service decided to house the Operation Streamline undocumented alien defendants at Val Verde County Detention Center instead of the Maverick County Detention Center effective November 1st. Previously, the Operation Streamline defendants were housed at the Maverick County Detention Center. U.S. Deputy Marshal Mario Pelayo stated the U.S. Marshal’s Service will continue to use Maverick County Detention Center depending on prisoner population rates at all detention centers in the area.
Other business approved by the Maverick County Commissioners Court at their October 28th meeting was the naming of Rossina Harvey as the Interim Supervisor of the Seco Mines Community Center after its director, David Lopez, was arrested by the Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers for alleged credit card abuse criminal charges and suspension without pay. New Seco Mines Community Center Interim Supervisor Rossina Harvey told the Eagle Pass Business Journal that Sonia Galvan was hired to assist her with the “Kids Cafe Program.” Harvey stated the Seco Mines Community Center and The Kids Cafe Program remain open with standard operating hours.
Another agenda item approved was the Maverick County Solid Waste Authority, Inc.’s 2013-2014 Operating Budget retroactive to October 1st. Also approved was Maverick County’s participation in the Texas County and District Retirement System (TCDRS) for the 2013-2014 fiscal year and the adoption of a new policy charging Maverick County residents a $1,000 utility connection fee by the Eagle Pass Water Works and Sewer System.
Maverick County Commissioners Court includes County Judge David Saucedo, Precinct 1 Commissioner Jerry Morales, Precinct 2 Commissioner Asalia Casares, Precinct 3 Commissioner Jose Luis Rosales, and Precinct 4 Commissioner Roberto Ruiz. Absent at the October 28th meeting was Commissioner Roberto Ruiz.
