County Commissioners approve Emergency Resolution due to flooding damages and awaiting $1.9 Million payment from federal government for Detention Center services
By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
The Maverick County Commissioners Court held a special meeting on Thursday, June 26, 2014, at the Maverick County Courthouse Annex Building located at 500 Quarry Street in Eagle Pass, Texas, addressing the June 19-20, 2014 flood in Maverick County including Elm Creek Subdivision, Normandy, Quemado, and agricultural crops.
The highlight of the meeting was an Agenda item regarding the discussion and possible action regarding the approval of a resolution declaring an Emergency concerning the areas within Maverick County affected by the June 19-20th flood caused by six to thirteen inches of rain in Normandy and Quemado as well as Kinney County to the north of Maverick County. The declaration of an Emergency caused by the flood allows Maverick County to solicit emergency assistance funds and services from the State of Texas and the federal government.
The emergency declaration was unanimously approved by Commissioners Court and will be revisited within the next seven days beginning on July 3rd to determine if other measures need to be taken.
County Commissioner Roberto Ruiz of Precinct 4 asked what can be expected in the type of emergency assistance from Governor’s Rick Perry’s Emergency Assistance Office. County Judge David R. Saucedo answered Ruiz that he had been lobbying with our State Representative Poncho Nevarez and State Senator Carlos I. Uresti’s offices on the issue.
“I would think that they are going to try to lend us as much assistance as possible,” said Judge Saucedo.
Commissioner Ruiz asked if there was any financial assistance available.
Judge Saucedo answered that those issues were yet to be determined but that the State of Texas in some way usually helps through commodities and different organizations such as CASSE for different needs to those affected by the flood.
Judge Saucedo also emphasized that there are different church and non-profit organizations providing assistance to County residents such as cleanup and repairing of flood-affected homes.
Ruiz then asked if there were any agriculture damages reported. Judge Saucedo replied that agricultural losses was being handled through the federal government’s agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Judge Saucedo noted there were initial reports of total losses to agricultural crops in the areas affected by the flood or heavy rainfall.
Maverick County Emergency Coordinator, Polo Vielma, stated “Yes, we have received a flash report from the Maverick County Extension Office and there is a report of total losses to agriculture product because of the flooding. That report will be submitted to the United States Department of Agriculture(USDA).” There is no report of any livestock damages noted Vielma.
Another Agenda item discussed and unanimously approved was the request for real estate appraisal services’ bids and the opening of said bids. There was one request for qualification proposal submitted on behalf of Randall M. Banks, Certified Appraiser, in the amount of $1,200 dollars for the appraisal of 5.05 acres of land surveyed in Abstract 8 11.11 and survey 7 abstract 10.14.
Maverick County Human Resources Director Jesus Sanchez presented Commissioners Court the new job descriptions for the County of Maverick to better ascertain the scope of work that each position in the County is responsible for. Sanchez recommended the new job descriptions be approved by Commissioners Court.
Commissioners Court further raised the issue if the new job descriptions included the County Auditor’s Office since they are appointed by the District Judges. Judge Saucedo stated that the County Auditor’s employees were given the title of Assistant County Auditor so that Commissioners Court would not have the authority to terminate them of their duties and employment. “In reality, they are given the title of Assistant Auditor so that way the District Judge can decide if that person goes or not. That’s the way the constitution is set up,” said Judge Saucedo.
Commissioners Court unanimously approved the new job descriptions for Maverick County employees.
Commissioners Court also heard and approved the May 2014 Maverick County Auditor’s and County Treasurer’s reports. County Auditor Fidencio Ortiz presented an overall status of the County’s financial status.
Commissioner Ruiz asked Ortiz on how the County was doing in regards to the general fund.
Ortiz replied that there was plenty of budget remaining, but that cash flow was an issue or problem. In other words, the County is short on cash flow at this time of year.
Oritz pointed that during the last few pay periods, County Treasurer Rito J. Valdez has had issues in collecting funds to pay the County employees. “Luckily, the deficit reduction fund is there. As far as the budget goes you are on track and you should be able to make it through the fiscal year,” said Ortiz. Ortiz explained that it is normal at this time of the year for the County general fund to have cash flow problems. “The first of the year it goes up and towards the end you get the tail end of it,” said Ortiz.
Ortiz noted that what’s coming in at this time are the funds from the sales tax collected.
Commissioner Ruiz asked County Treasurer Rito J. Valdez how was the current county cash flow activity. County Treasurer Valdez replied that currently the cash flow was at a low level, concurring the County Auditor’s report.
Maverick County cash flow levels are running low as county funds are currently being used in the sustainability and maintenance of the Maverick County Detention Center. Maverick County has used $1.9 Million and is awaiting to be reimbursed or paid by the federal government and/or Bondholders. The operation and maintenance of the Maverick County Detention Center has tied up the County’s general funds. Once these funds are paid or reimbursed, the County general fund cash flow should improve.
Another Agenda item approved was the Coronado Estates Subdivision Plat for recordation submitted by the City of Eagle Pass.
Commissioners Court had some questions on the change of verbage used in the new paperwork submitted, which was called for at a recent meeting where this item had been previously presented.
Judge Saucedo noted there are some concerns regarding potential flooding issues of the new Coronado Estates Subdivision. ” What hurts me a little bit was the representative for Coronado Estates made a comment that the flooding doesn’t come from their subdivision. That it comes from further up north. Well, it goes through your subdivision. You are basically saying that it’s going to flood. That it is a problem that is going to land on us,” said Judge Saucedo.
“The recommendation is that we have to go through with it ?”asked Judge Saucedo.
General Counsel’s representative replied, “yes” to Saucedo’s question.
The Coronado Estates Subdivision was approved by a split vote of 2 to 1 with Commissioners Ruiz and Asalia Casarez in favor and Judge Saucedo opposed. Commissioners Jose Luis Rosales and Jerry Morales were absent at the meeting.
The vote was 2 in favor and one against, Ruiz , Casarez for and Saucedo against.
Another Agenda item discussed and approved was the budget transfer of $80,000 to be used to cover water charges incurred by the Maverick County Detention Center for water supplied by the Maverick County Water Control and Improvement District No. 1. This issue was an unforeseen expense due to the takeover of the Maverick County Detention Center’s management and operations by the Maverick County Sheriff’s Department after The GEO Group’s departure on October 31, 2013.
