Maverick County Housing Finance Corporation Approves $1.5 Million Transfer Amid Governance Issues

By Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2026 Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

The Maverick County Housing Finance Corporation’s Vice-Chairman Roberto Ruiz called the meeting to order and presided over the meeting. Vice-Chairman Ruiz questioned the Board of Directors if any of them had received a letter or notice from Board Chairman Ramsey English Cantu on whether he had resigned from the Board. Board Secretary Olga Martinez and Board member Roxi Rios acknowledged receiving none.

Vice-Chairman Ruiz proceeded to state that there being no resignation from the Chairman, he was chairing the meeting in light of his absence. Ruiz acknowledged former and resigned County Judge Ramsey English Cantu remains on the Housing Finance Corporation’s Board of Directors.

The Maverick County Housing Finance Corporation Board voted Tuesday, September 22, 2026 to authorize a $1.5 million transfer as a donation to Maverick County to support fire and emergency medical services for residents living outside the Eagle Pass city limits.

The Housing Finance Corporation’s Board motioned and approved unanimously to appoint County Commissioner Precinct 1 Yolanda P. Ramon as a new Board member. However, the Board failed to administer the Oath of Office to newly-appointed Board member Yolanda P. Ramon before a Texas Notary Public before voting on subsequent agenda items, including the transfer of the $1.5 million.

The Board resolution presented during the meeting stated that fire and EMS services are essential to protecting Maverick County residents, particularly poor and low-income families.

The corporation relied on Section 394.032 of the Texas Local Government Code, which authorizes housing finance corporations to promote residential development and make donations for public welfare, charitable, scientific or educational purposes.

The law also permits a corporation to enter into contracts and execute other instruments necessary to exercise its authorized powers.

Although the corporation approved the donation, statements made during the discussion indicated that Maverick County Commissioners Court may still have to consider or approve an action to formally accept the money and include it in the County’s budget.

The specific steps that must be completed before the $1.5 million can be transferred and spent were not fully explained during the meeting.

Ramon was welcomed and allowed to participate in the meeting, including voting on the $1.5 million donation to Maverick County.

Her oath of office as a member of the Housing Finance Corporation board was not publicly administered or documented during the meeting. Because Ramon was appointed and permitted to vote during the same proceeding, questions arise over whether an oath was administered at all and whether she was formally qualified to participate in the vote.

Texas law provides that a housing finance corporation must be governed by a board of directors and allows members of the governing body, county officers and county employees to serve as directors.

However, the corporation’s articles of incorporation and bylaws may contain additional provisions governing appointments, terms, vacancies, oaths and the qualifications required before a newly appointed director may participate in official business.

That raises another fundamental question, Does the Maverick County Housing Finance Corporation have bylaws, and have those bylaws been made available to the public?

The corporation’s governing documents could help answer several questions surrounding Tuesday’s meeting, including the appointment and qualification of directors and the continuing service of former Maverick County Judge Ramsey English Cantú as the corporation’s Chairman/President.

Cantú reportedly has not attended the corporation’s past three board meetings.

His repeated absences may not automatically remove him from the position, but his status could depend on the corporation’s bylaws, articles of incorporation, term of appointment and any action taken by Commissioners Court.

Cantú resigned as Maverick County judge in August 2026. It remains unclear whether his departure from county office affects his appointment or eligibility to continue serving as president of the Housing Finance Corporation.

The board’s decision to donate $1.5 million to Maverick County also comes before the completion of its latest financial audit.

During the meeting, Housing Finance Corporation Executive Director Guillermina Romero informed board members that she had consulted with the corporation’s auditors and that the 2025-2026 audit had not been completed.

An unfinished audit does not necessarily prohibit the corporation from approving the donation.

Nevertheless, the disclosure raises questions about what current financial statements, bank balances and other independently verified information board members reviewed before committing the money.

The public should also be informed whether the $1.5 million is immediately available, whether it is restricted for another purpose and what balance will remain after the transfer to Maverick County.

Additional questions involve the corporation’s registered agent and the limited liability companies established for its property transactions.

Cantú has reportedly been listed as the registered agent for the Housing Finance Corporation and numerous affiliated LLCs. It was not established during Tuesday’s meeting whether those state filings have been amended, whether Cantú remains the registered agent or whether another person has been formally designated.

Questions have also been raised about whether some affiliated LLCs may have had their state privileges or corporate status forfeited for noncompliance. Before conclusions are reached, the exact entities, their current standing and the nature of any forfeiture should be independently confirmed through official state records.

The board should additionally clarify the status of its bond counsel, Arnold Cantu, including whether any existing agreement must be ratified or approved again, who is authorized to negotiate that agreement and whether the matter will return for a public vote. Bond counsel Cantu noted his law firm’s contract requires to be ratified and reapproved due to his law firm’s name change.

The $1.5 million donation could provide important assistance as Maverick County and the City of Eagle Pass attempt to resolve the future of fire and EMS coverage outside the city limits.

However, the importance of the services does not eliminate the need for transparency.
Before the money changes hands, the public deserves clear answers concerning Commissioners Court’s role, Ramon’s oath and appointment, the corporation’s bylaws, Cantú’s continuing service as Chairman, the unfinished audit, the availability of the money, registered-agent filings, and the status of affiliated LLCs raises governance issues in the Housing Finance Corporation.