Maverick County Commissioners Court approve Jesus Sanchez as new County Human Resources Director
By: Jose G. Landa
Copyright 2013 Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
Maverick County Commissioners Court unanimously approved former Eagle Pass Independent School District Superintendent Jesus Sanchez as the new County Human Resources Director at their Regular Meeting held on Monday, December 9, 2013, held at the Commissioners Courtroom in Eagle Pass, Texas.
Maverick County Commissioners Court established for the first time a County Human Resources Department and Director to assist the County with employee benefits and resources and approved the hiring of former EPISD Superintendent Jesus Sanchez as the very first County Human Resources Director to lead the new department. Sanchez will earn approximately $45,000 per year plus benefits as the newest County employee. Sanchez stated that he is ready to work for the benefit of Maverick County employees and the community.
Another agenda item approved by Commissioners Court was the 2014 Indigent Defense Fund Application required by the State of Texas to provide financial and technical support and services for indigents charged with criminal cases and who cannot afford to hire an attorney to represent them. The U.S. Constitution requires that all persons accused of a criminal charge are entitled to have an attorney appointed to represent them if they cannot afford to hire one. Local defendants in County Court and District Court cases who cannot afford to hire their own attorney are appointed an attorney and paid through the Indigent Defense Fund.
Another important agenda item approved by Commissioners Court was the unanimous approval of establishing a County Vector Control within the Road and Bridge Department as now required by the State of Texas to provide decent housing and/or euthanization of animals such as dogs and cats captured by the County Vector Control employees. County Judge David R. Saucedo requested County Auditor Fidencio Ortiz to utilize the leftover funds of the Road and Bridge Department during last year’s budget to fund the estimated $40,000 to $69,000 costs to build the new County Vector Control. County Road and Bridge Department employees will build the new County Vector Control facility to save money to taxpayers. The new County Vector Control facility will be build adjacent to the Road and Bridge Department offices located next to the Tom Bowles Law Enforcement Center.
Commissioners Court also approved the renewal of State Senator Carlos I. Uresti’s office lease located inside the Old Maverick County Courthouse on 501 Main Street in downtown Eagle Pass.
Another agenda item approved was the appointment of three new members to the Maverick County Child Welfare Board. The three new Child Welfare Board members approved are Juanita Martinez, Ofelia Calles, and David Diaz. The Maverick County Child Welfare Board is responsible of working with the Texas Department of Family Protective Services to secure adequate funding for children’s foster care for children who are not eligible for state or federal foster care funding, clothing and transportation needs of foster children, medical care for foster children who are not covered by Medicaid, psychological and psychiatric evaluations and treatment not covered by Medicaid, office space, funding for staff, equipment, utilities, and compliance with state laws and regulations.
Commissioners Court also approved the new fees for the Office of County Clerk effective January 1, 2014 requiring a new $10 fee for management and preservation as well as a $10 fee for records and archives.
Another agenda item approved was a list of 29 County vehicles and machinery as surplus to be sold at a future auction.
Commissioners Court went into Executive Session to consult with County Attorney Ricardo Ramos regarding three pending litigation or potential litigation cases including Alamo Concrete Products Company, Bore Tech Construction, LLC, and Maverick Concrete. After coming out into Open Session, Commissioners Court approved a settlement of $5,000 with Alamo Concrete Products Company to finalize a pending state district court case filed by Alamo Products against Maverick County alleging the County owes Alamo Products the amount of $16,000 plus attorney’s fees, court costs, and expenses and authorized County Attorney Ricardo Ramos to pursue the County’s claims against Bore Tech Construction, LLC for damages caused at the Radar Base and to pursue an amicable resolution of the County’s claims with Maverick Concrete.
Former Eagle Pass Mayor Raul Trevino was also named and approved to serve on the Maverick County Water Control and Improvement District No. 1 Board of Directors to fill a vacancy left by the resignation of former Board member Abdallah Moses.
Commissioners Court also discussed putting up for sale the Maverick County Fairgrounds, formerly known as the Caballo Dorado Arena, as County Commissioner Precinct 2 Asalia Casares stated that the Maverick County Fairgrounds is not bringing any profits or significant income to the County and is costing the County’s Road and Bridge Department money to maintain and upkeep the real property and improvements. Maverick County paid over $400,000 for the purchase of the Caballo Dorado Arena real property in 2010 during former County Commissioner Precinct 2 Rodolfo “Rudy” Heredia tenure. County Commissioner Roberto Ruiz echoed the sentiments of Commissioner Casares in placing the Maverick County Fairgrounds for sale and having it appraised to determine its fair market value as the property is becoming an economic burden to the County to maintain and operate.
