Maverick County Commissioners Court approves Sheriff’s Department transfer to Maverick County Detention Center
By: Jose G. Landa
Copyright 2013 Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
Maverick County Commissioners Court unanimously approved Sheriff Tom Schmerber’s request to transfer the Maverick County Sheriff’s Department headquarters and jail operations to the newer Maverick County Detention Center located at the Radar Base on FM 131, approximately 12 miles from Eagle Pass, from its current location at the Tom Bowles Law Enforcement Center at its Tuesday, November 12, 2013 Regular Board meeting held at the Commissioners Courtroom at the Maverick County Courthouse in Eagle Pass, Texas.
Although approved unanimously, the transfer of the Maverick County Sheriff’s Department headquarters to the Maverick County Detention Center from the Tom Bowles Law Enforcement Center will await a financial report from Maverick County Financial Advisor, Roberto Rodriguez of Southwestern Capital Markets, Inc., before the official move take place to ensure that the financial numbers substantiate and support such a major relocation. Earlier on November 1st, Maverick County Sheriff’s Department took over the operation and management of the 625 bed prison facility known as the Maverick County Detention Center after its previous operator, The Geo Group, Inc., decided to withdraw from managing the facility. Maverick County Commissioners Court decision to allow Sheriff Tom Schmerber to manage the Maverick County Detention Center is a major undertaking which has occupied Sheriff Schmerber and his deputies and staff, as well as Maverick County’s Auditor’s and Treasurer’s Offices, most of their time.
Other Agenda items approved by Commissioners Court at the November 12th meeting included Item Nos.24 and 25 with the hiring of additional staff people in the County Auditor’s Office to assist the Sheriff’s Department with the financial record-keeping and procurement of supplies at the Maverick County Detention Center. Also, Commissioners Court approved Items Nos. 14 and 15 regarding payment of overtime to Cooks of Tom Bowles Detention Center and County employees working on the transition and takeover of the Maverick County Detention Center until further notice. Maverick County Commissioners Court decision to take over management of the Maverick County Detention Center has been a herculean task for Sheriff Tom Schmerber and the entire County employees. Sheriff Tom Schmerber assured the public at the November 12th meeting that he will complete the transition and move into the Maverick County Detention Center successfully.
Agenda Item No. 19 caused a lively discussion among County Commissioners regarding Maverick County Auditor Fidencio Ortiz’s failure to present and complete the October 2013 Monthly Report at the November 12th meeting. Commissioner Roberto Ruiz highlighted the absence of County Auditor Fidencio Ortiz at the meeting and his failure to timely present his October 2013 Monthly Report to Commissioners Court as required by state law. Commissioner Ruiz noted that Maverick County Independent Auditor Milo Martinez, C.P.A., of Martinez Rosario & Company, raised the lack of availability of County Auditor Fidencio Ortiz and his office’s delay in presentation of monthly reports. Commissioner Ruiz requested Maverick County Attorney Ricardo Ramos to review the state statute regarding County Auditor’s obligation to present monthly reports to determine what action and sanctions may be imposed by Commissioners Court for non-compliance and report back to Commissioners Court. Maverick County Judge David Saucedo stated that he had to personally go to the County Auditor’s office and wait for some purchase orders to be approved and signed to ensure they got processed on a prompt basis. County Judge Saucedo added that he has personally met with County Auditor Fidencio Ortiz as well as State District Judge Amado J. Abascal, III, to discuss the importance of presenting the monthly reports timely and cooperation with County officials and employees for the orderly transaction of county business and projects. County Judge Saucedo stated that he does not know who else he can speak to in order to get greater cooperation and compliance from County Auditor Fidencio Ortiz. County Auditor Fidencio Ortiz was not present at the meeting but two Assistant Auditors from his office were present at the November 12th meeting, although they were unable to answer Commissioners Court pressing questions.
Another Agenda Item discussed was No. 17 regarding the setting of a flat fee of $250 for septic tank permits by a On Site Sewage Facility Program representative. Maverick County Administrative Assistant Leopoldo “Polo” Vielma told Commissioners Court that residential septic tanks need to be permitted and inspected by a state-approved licensed inspector and the County did not yet have such an employee requiring the County to use an out-of-town licensed inspector from Laredo, Texas. Vielma added that the proposed $250 septic tank permit fee is designed to cover the mileage fees and inspection fees of the out of town licensed inspector. The Maverick County employee in charge of Code Enforcement was not present at the meeting, causing the agenda item to be tabled for a future meeting much to the consternation of County Judge David Saucedo and Commissioners Court.
Another Agenda Item discussed was No. 21 regarding the opening of Bids for Legal Counsel for Maverick County. County Judge David Saucedo opened the bids and announced that three law firms had submitted timely bids, including The Nevarez Law Group of Eagle Pass, Langley & Banack of San Antonio, Texas, and The Law Office of Jad P. Harper of Eagle Pass. The bids will be reviewed and Commissioners Court will make a decision in a future meeting.
Commissioners Court also went into Executive Session to consult with Maverick County Attorney Ricardo Ramos regarding three items, including Jose Cabello v. Maverick County, et al, Cause No. DR-11-CV-78 in the United States District Court, Western District of Texas, Del Rio Division; Rosa Isela Garza v. Maverick County, et al, Cause No. 11-10-26903-MCVAJA; and possible litigation with property owners along the County Easements in Precinct No. 2 relating to the arroyo waterway cleanup project. After coming out of Executive Session, Commissioners Court approved that County Attorney Ricardo Ramos file an appeal on the Jose Cabello v. Maverick County case in the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, authorized County Attorney Ricardo Ramos to file an Answer in the Rosa Isela Garza v. Maverick County case, and real property owners on the arroyo waterway cleanup project along Las Quintas Fronterizas and El Indio Highway be provided notice of their cooperation and, if not, that legal remedies be pursued against them.
