Maverick County Commissioners Court to address Maverick County Detention Center matters at October 28th meeting
By: Jose G. Landa
Copyright 2013 Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
Maverick County Commissioners Court will hold a Special Meeting on Monday, October 28, 2013, at 5 P.M. at the Commissioners Courtroom in the Maverick County Courthouse in Eagle Pass, Texas, to address key issues relating to the Maverick County Detention Center.
Maverick County Commissioners Court is addressing two items regarding the Maverick County Detention Center, specifically Agenda Item No. 17 which is “discussion and possible action to authorize Southwestern Capital Markets, Inc. to act as representative in discussions with Bondholders and Trustee regarding Maverick County Public Facility Corporation’s 2007 Bond Issues in order to facilitate consensus on related agreements required for transition to Sheriff’s Department as new operator of Maverick County Public Facility Corporation’s Detention Center;” and Agenda Item No. 18 which is “deliberation and action on employment of Langley & Banack, Inc. as Special Counsel to assist the County of Maverick, Texas in all legal matters involving the County assuming the role of operator of the Maverick County Detention Facility and further authorizing the County Judge to negotiate and execute a letter of engagement with Langley & Banack, Inc. and the terms thereof including, but not limited to, compensation, retainer amount and waiver of any conflicts.”
On or about October 1, 2013, The Geo Group, Inc. notified Maverick County that they were withdrawing from managing and operating the Maverick County Detention Center, a $42 Million and 625 bed prison facility owned by a non-profit corporation named Maverick County Public Facility Corporation established by Maverick County, and providing 30 days notice to become effective 12:01 A.M. on November 1, 2013.
On October 21st, Maverick County Commissioners Court approved Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber and the Maverick County Sheriff’s Department to operate and manage the Maverick County Detention Center in light of The Geo Group’s withdrawal.
Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber has appointed Guillermo De Los Santos as the new Warden of the Maverick County Detention Center. Maverick County is depending on the United States Department of Justice Marshal’s Service for the Western District of Texas, Del Rio Division, and the United States Bureau of Prisons to house federal inmates to fill the Maverick County Detention Center. Sheriff Tom Schmerber stated that he is in direct contact with U.S. Deputy Marshal Mario Pelayo of Del Rio and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons to obtain more federal pre-trial detainees awaiting adjudication of their federal cases before the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, Del Rio Division, as well as federal inmates already adjudicated and sentenced by federal courts.
Maverick County Financial Advisor Roberto Rodriguez of Southwestern Capital Markets, Inc. advised Maverick County Commissioners Court that the County would need to spend $700,000 or more to take over management of the 625 bed Maverick County Detention Center, posing a precarious financial situation for Maverick County.
Other Agenda items on the October 28th meeting include No. 15 which is the “discussion and possible action to designate Rosinna Harvey as Interim Supervisor for the Seco Mines Community Center and The Kids Cafe Program;” No. 19 which is “discussion and possible action to approve participation in the TCDRS (Texas County & District Retirement System) for Plan Year 2014 by Maverick County;” No. 21 which is “discussion and possible action for approval of FY 2013 Budget for the Maverick County Solid Waste Authority, Inc. retroactive to October 1, 2013;” No. 22 which is “discussion and possible action on presentation and acceptance of monthly report from Maverick County Auditor’s Report;’ No. 23 which is “discussion and possible action on presentation and acceptance of monthly report from Maverick County Treasurer’s Office; and No. 25 which is “discussion and possible action to authorize letter to City of Eagle Pass Waterworks in recommendation to adopt a policy on connecting utilities-Pct.1.”
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.
Maverick County Commissioners Court meetings are open to the public.
