Maverick County Citizens File Signature Petition on $8 Million County Bonds
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2022
A committee of concerned Maverick County citizens presented to and filed with Maverick County Clerk Sara Montemayor and Maverick County Elections Administrator Roy Schmerber on Friday, September 9, 2022 at 2:39 p.m. a petition with 2,282 signatures of registered voters requesting that the $8 Million Certificates of Obligations (Bonds) approved by Maverick County Commissioners Court earlier this summer on a split 3-2 vote be placed on the November 8, 2022 General Election Ballot as a referendum.
The referendum calls for Maverick County registered voters decide whether to approve the $8 Million County Bonds and, if so, how to spend these bond proceeds on county projects and improvements.
Committee members present at the delivery and filing of the signature petition to county officials included, but not limited to, Ramsey English Cantu, as a citizen and Democratic Party Candidate for Maverick County Judge, County Commissioner Precinct 3 Olga Ramos, County Commissioner Precinct 4 Roberto Ruiz, local citizen Etelvina Felan, and many others.
The concerned citizens committee spoke at the Maverick County Commissioners Court Meeting held on Monday, September 12, 2022 during the Citizens Communications agenda, represented by Ramsey English Cantu, requesting Commissioners Court approve the certification and placement of the signature petition on the November 8, 2022 General Election Ballot as a referendum.
Maverick County Judge David R. Saucedo stated the signature petition required Maverick County Elections Administrator Roy Schmerber to review the 2,282 signatures and certify that they are eligible registered voters and that it would take several days to complete the certification process.
The signature petition is scheduled for a special Maverick County Commissioners Court meeting agenda to be held on Friday, September 16, 2022 at 2 p.m. for discussion and possible action, but results are not available as of press time.
Concerned citizens have questioned whether Maverick County borrowing $8 Million in Certificate of Obligation (Bonds) payable over 30 years is prudent and in the best interest of taxpayers, as well as how the bond proceeds would be allocated to certain precincts and county improvements.
Maverick County Judge David R. Saucedo has publicly stated that the $8 Million would be utilized on needed county projects and improvements, including paving of roads and streets, in all four county precincts and that interest rates continue to increase and the locked interest rates on the $8 Million bonds are less than current and future rates might be. Judge Saucedo noted that he intends to perform his public duties as county judge until December 31, 2022 as previously elected by voters, regardless of his primary election loss for re-election to another four year term.
Concerned citizens contend that the proposed distribution of the $8 Million bonds are not proportionate to each county precinct and will saddle county taxpayers with a 30 year financial obligation that will cost over $40 million. Other citizens contend that whomever is elected County Judge in the November 8, 2022 General Election should lead Commissioners Court in determining whether to obtain the bonds and how to spend it after taking office on January 1, 2023.
