Maverick County Commissioners Court to consider Feasibility Study/Presidential Permit for International Bridge

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

Maverick County Commissioners Court will entertain various important agenda items at a special meeting scheduled for Monday, December 29, 2014, at 5 P.M. at the Maverick County Courthouse, in Eagle Pass, Texas, including the discussion and possible action regarding the approval of a Feasibility Study/Presidential Permit for an International Bridge, possible approval of a revised Inter-Local Governmental Agreement between the County and the Maverick County Solid Waste Authority, possible approval of a contract with Dr. Frank H. Gonzales, III, to provide Inmate Medical Services to the Maverick County Tom Bowles Detention Center, possible approval of promoting Linda Schmerber as Administrative Assistant in the Office of the County Judge, possible approval of a resolution and employment of an expert accountant or auditor to audit the books, records, and documents of the County Auditor, and many more items.

Agenda Item No. 27 requested by Commissioner Roberto Ruiz calls for the discussion and possible action to approve a Feasibility Study/Presidential Permit for an International Bridge. Maverick County does not own any international bridges like the City of Eagle Pass which owns two bridges and depends up to 30% of its annual budget on the revenues from the City-owned International Bridges System. Maverick County is seeking to build a third international bridge within the county to own a revenue generating entity to assist it fund the many needed county public services and provide the fast and efficient transportation of commercial and personal traffic between the United States and Mexico.

Earlier this year, County Judge David R. Saucedo raised this issue with a Mexican news media, raising much debate and discussion in Mexico to this suggestion. Some Mexican officials expressed interest in the building of a third international bridge while others suggested maximizing the two City of Eagle Pass International Bridges before building a third one. Eagle Pass International Bridge No. 1 is only opened part-time as it is closed every day from 11 P.M. to 7 A.M. The Eagle Pass International Bridge No. 2 has yet to open the two commercial traffic lanes originally planned when built. There is currently a shortage of manpower with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection Agency concerning the hiring of more CBP Inspectors throughout the U.S.-Mexico border. Nonetheless, Maverick County Commissioners Court may be inclined to approve a Feasibility Study/Presidential Permit because the process to get an international bridge permit approved by both the U.S. and Mexican Presidents is lengthy, often taking more than 10 to 20 years.

Agenda Item No. 28 calls for the discussion and possible approval of a revised Inter-Local Governmental Collaborative Agreement between Maverick County and the Maverick County Solid Waste Authority (Landfill).
Previously, the MCSWA contributed annually over a $1 Million to Maverick County for its annual budget, but that agreement lapsed last year and MCSWA did not contribute any funds to Maverick County for the current fiscal year (2014-2015). Maverick County may want to revisit this agreement and request the MCSWA to begin contributing again on an annual basis a negotiated sum to the County.

Agenda Items No. 22 and 23 call for discussion and possible action of awarding the Inmate Medical Services for the Tom Bowles Detention Center and a contract for said services to local physician Dr. Frank H. Gonzales, III.

Agenda Items No. 14 calls for discussion and possible action approving the promotion of Linda Schmerber as the Administrative Assistant in the County Judge Office at a salary of $28,475 starting January 1, 2014. Schmerber has previously been working at the County Judge’s Office in a lesser capacity, but is scheduled to replace Leopoldo “Polo” Vielma who was elected as Maverick County District Clerk and will take his oath of office on January 1, 2015.

Other Agenda Items are Nos. 11, 12, and 13 regarding the discussion and possible action of approving a resolution to employ an independent expert accountant or auditor to audit the books, records, and documents of the County Auditor Fidencio Ortiz. See other article on the Eagle Pass Business Journal concerning this agenda item.

Agenda Item No. 19 calls for the discussion and possible approval of a salary adjustment and/or rate increase for the Maverick County Detention Center Employees retroactive since November 1, 2014.

There are other many important agenda items on the December 29, 2014 Maverick County Commissioners Court meeting. The meeting is open to the public.