Commissioners Court holds Second Budget Workshop and Deadlocks on Multi-Purpose Center

By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

Maverick County Commissioners Court held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, September 8, 2014, holding the second Budget Workshop on the proposed 2014-2015 fiscal year and deadlocked on approving an application with USDA to fund the construction of a multi-purpose center and junior livestock show facilities and offices.

Maverick County Judge David R. Saucedo opened the budget workshop stating that everything is in place to obtain a proposed balanced budget for the 2014-2015 fiscal year and that there was the possibility of a 3% salary increase for Maverick County employees.

Commissioners Court was informed by the Maverick County Auditor’s Office that the request of the different departments for the new fiscal year budget were to being considered and taken into consideration for allocation of the budget.

Judge Saucedo concurred with the Maverick County Auditor’s Office and stated they would be making it known to every department what amount would be granted to them. Another budget workshop will be held in the immediate future to finalize the 2014-2015 budget.

Commissioners Court also approved the polling places, accumulation of comp time hours for the elections administrator and his clerk, pay for training of election workers, pay for the individual who will be operating the M-600 tabulator during the pre-election test and on Election Day, and the person needed to produce reports required by the Secretary of State for the November 4, 2014 general election.

Another item discussed was whether to apply for a USDA grant to construct a multi-purpose center and junior livestock facilities and offices at the Maverick County Fairgrounds.

Judge Saucedo advised Commissioners Court that currently there are funds available with USDA to construct a multi-purpose center and junior livestock show facilities and offices and whether Commissioners Court approve applying for said grant funds.

Judge Saucedo stated Maverick County Texas A&M Agri-Life Extension Services Agent Oscar Galindo met with USDA Rural Development Area Director Joe De Ochoa, whom stated there is funding available to pursue such a project.  “USDA Rural Development Area Director Joe De Ochoa made it known that there are funds available to pursue a multi- purpose facility,” said Saucedo. Judge Saucedo noted that such a project requires an 80/20% split between USDA and Maverick County. Saucedo advised the County Fairgrounds property could count to match the County’s 20% contribution share. “I understand that there are a lot of needs out there and I can see how the constituency can be upset about building a facility when there are other needs. If we don’t, we are leaving funding on the table that would benefit our community greatly,” said Judge Saucedo. “This would give the County an opportunity to have a social venue that would rival what the City has and also we would have a new show barn and new offices,” said Saucedo.

County Commissioner Roberto Ruiz expressed his concerns:” I think it’s a great idea. It’s just that there is plenty of land where right now they are located. It is also closer to town and instead of moving the kids out there. Why do they want to go to that area out there? Originally we had agreed that we were going to check out to assess the price and value of the land with the intentions to sell it.” Ruiz stated there is interest in buying the County Fairgrounds. “To me that is more important…. I think they should stay where they are right now. I think if they want a new building, we can act on a new building as the land belongs to the County too in the area where they are now,” said Ruiz.

Commissioner Jerry Morales stated he supported applying for the USDA grant because his office receives many complaints from citizens concerning safety and security issues at the present Junior Livestock Show location at Maverick County Lake.

Commissioner Asalia Casares stated she needed more information or a study on the proposal.

After discussion, Commissioner Morales motioned to approve applying for the USDA grant and Judge Saucedo joined him in support, but Commissioners Ruiz and Casares voted against it. The motion died for lack of a majority vote, 2-2, as Commissioner Jose Luis Rosales was absent.