BREAKING NEWS! Maverick County Rejects City of Eagle Pass Offer to Purchase or Exchange County Airport for Fire and EMS Services, Now Offering Maverick County Lake and Another Property
By Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2026 Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
The Eagle Pass City Council at its special meeting held on Monday, September 15, 2026 discussed Agenda Item No. 11 regarding negotiations between the city and Maverick County concerning fire protection and EMS services in Executive Session, but upon returning into Open Session the council voted unanimously to authorize the City Manager Homero Balderas to continue negotiations and sign a contract with the county.
The City of Eagle Pass and Maverick County remain in negotiations over the future of fire and emergency medical services outside the city limits, but county commissioners have rejected a major city proposal that would have transferred ownership of the Maverick County Memorial International Airport to the city in exchange for 20 years of fire and EMS services.
The city disclosed Monday, September 14, 2026 that it had offered to provide fire and EMS services to Maverick County residents for 20 years in exchange for full ownership of the airport.
Maverick County commissioners elected not to accept the proposal, signaling that the county is not willing to give up the airport despite the severe financial difficulties it faces.
According to a reliable source, the county is now offering to exchange the Maverick County Lake and another property for city fire protection and EMS Services for an extended period of years. City Council authorized City Manager Homero Balderas to continue negotiations and sign a contract, signaling the city and county are close to an agreement before the September 30 deadline.
The city has wanted control of the airport for decades and has previously explored the possibility of developing another aviation facility within the city limits. Under its proposal, Eagle Pass would have assumed responsibility for the airport’s operations, maintenance and future improvements.
City officials argued that the arrangement would have secured two decades of fire and EMS coverage for county residents while relieving Maverick County of the continuing financial responsibility associated with the airport.
The county’s rejection does not end negotiations between the two governments. However, it removes one of the most significant assets that had been discussed as part of a possible long-term agreement.
Meanwhile, the city issued advance notice to county residents on Monday, September 14 that fire and EMS services outside the city limits could be discontinued beginning October 1, 2026 if a new interlocal agreement is not finalized before the current agreement expires September 30, 2026.
Fire and EMS services are not affected at this time and will continue under the existing agreement through the end of September 30.
The dispute comes as Maverick County confronts one of its most difficult budget cycles in recent years.
Earlier budget projections showed the county facing a shortfall of approximately $4.8 million. At the same time, the City of Eagle Pass has sought approximately $3 million from the county for fire and EMS services.
For a county already struggling to balance its budget, finding an additional $3 million presents a serious challenge.
County officials have been examining expenditures, potential revenue sources, county-owned property and other options that could help reduce the financial pressure.
The Maverick County Memorial International Airport became part of those discussions because transferring it could have reduced the county’s operating and maintenance responsibilities while providing the city with an aviation facility it has long wanted.
However, the county has invested considerable effort and money during the past several years to secure grants and funding to preserve and improve the airport. Those investments, along with the airport’s long-term economic development potential, make county officials reluctant to surrender ownership.
With the airport proposal rejected, both governments must now determine whether another combination of payments, property or services can produce an agreement.
One possible option could involve a swap using the entire county-owned Maverick County Lake property to offset a portion of the county’s fire and EMS obligations.
The lake property could give the city an alternative asset while allowing Maverick County to retain ownership of the airport.
No agreement involving the lake property has been finalized. Any potential swap would require continued negotiations, property valuations and formal approval by both governing bodies.
The city stated that it continues negotiating in good faith for an agreement covering the 2027 fiscal year, but acknowledged that progress has been slower than anticipated.
The approaching September 30 deadline places additional pressure on both sides. Without an agreement, residents living outside the Eagle Pass city limits could face uncertainty over who will provide fire protection and emergency medical response beginning October 1.
Maverick County now faces the difficult task of protecting one of its most important assets while finding a way to pay for critical emergency services it cannot easily replace.
The airport remains under county control, but the underlying financial problem remains unresolved.
The county continues facing serious financial constraints, the city continues seeking compensation for services, and thousands of residents outside the city limits are depending on both governments to reach an agreement before time runs out.
