[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6531054,"mediaKeyId","3626050-42e1da1937a93803ae60db16e08329c8","parentId",3626050,"title","Cameron County accepts 2024 TIRZ reports from Harlingen and Los Fresnos; Harlingen fund balances noted","audioSeconds",607,"startMs",4573000,"endMs",5180000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3626050-42e1da1937a93803ae60db16e08329c8&start=4573&end=5180","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3626050-42e1da1937a93803ae60db16e08329c8/thumbnail_4573000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6531054/Cameron-County/Texas/Cameron-County-accepts-2024-TIRZ-reports-from-Harlingen-and-Los-Fresnos-Harlingen-fund-balances-noted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6531054-29d3f4a48ffc57e8ef3f25ef7b2c38b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443018&Signature=cII9pTlk9Xb8RxyOR7BBI-4VP2b9vheVeTZIVWujsUQqSzcvzS4zqLoNCASWW07imGG7NoJlH91HNgFkfAK4lbER3j7HFPKhuR78sHu3BmdoQa-uvS0l2Trktk4T~nVHO3OpPUewe-lo8lZo97L7s6diL90hpePsC~ui3-LJQUGFPEOkEYA650coKpWAoKQGWpxLQCWVRgU~teNQYtPiUM~-7IcYQ8o96GuwZvhp4apsTKULh0QkLFLTIcv7DAZcURlwUR2hY~g6YgCvmtAsI7F9I4RsxuOH7h6lshgSps82ov35ysSVh6mGu1Iew~hT7oqH-mJj5qfuPJgQPRnK4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cameron","date","2025-06-02T00:00:00Z","article","Cameron County Commissioners Court on Monday approved 2024 compliance and financial reports for tax increment reinvestment zones (TIRZ) covering portions of Harlingen and Los Fresnos.

Harlingen representatives presented summaries for Harlingen TIRZ 1, 2 and 3. County staff and Harlingen officials outlined project totals, the county’s maximum contribution ceilings and amounts contributed to date.

Key numbers presented for Harlingen TIRZs included:

- TIRZ 1: total project cost just above $49,000,000; county maximum contribution $9,800,000; county has contributed $990,770 to date; current TIRZ fund balance $546,569.
- TIRZ 2: total project cost $38,800,000; county maximum contribution $7,400,000; county contributions to date just over $1,500,000; current TIRZ fund balance $3,400,000. Harlingen’s economic‑development corporation announced a planned 70‑acre mixed‑use development within these boundaries, which Harlingen officials said will affect TIRZ 2.
- TIRZ 3: total project cost $24,600,000; county maximum contribution $4,700,000; county contributions to date just under $3,000,000; current TIRZ fund balance $566,000.

\"Max contribution by the county is based on total build out. It doesn't appear that we're gonna get there,\" Gabriel Gonzalez, Harlingen city manager, told the court, explaining the city’s view that actual contributions will depend on the pace and extent of private development.

Separately, Los Fresnos city officials presented their TIRZ 1 report. The Los Fresnos TIRZ was described as showing strong growth since base year — a greater than 500% increase in property values from the base and notable sales tax increases — and county participation to date of $1,355,920 against a county maximum contribution just above $2,500,000.

The court approved the reports on motions from commissioners and directed staff to process any necessary billings to the county for the reported amounts.

Why it matters: TIRZ reports record the incremental tax revenues used for infrastructure and development within designated zones. Fund balances and projected developments inform county decisions about infrastructure spending and matching contributions.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cameron - Commissioner's Court - Jun 02, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The court approved compliance reports for Harlingen tax increment reinvestment zones (TIRZ 1–3) and the Los Fresnos TIRZ, noting project costs, county maximum contributions and current fund balances for each zone.","taxTitle","Cameron County, Texas","taxId",2694,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6531059,"Cameron County approves salary adjustments for four district attorney positions amid staffing shortfall",1150,5002000,6152000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3626050-42e1da1937a93803ae60db16e08329c8&start=5002&end=6152","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3626050-42e1da1937a93803ae60db16e08329c8/thumbnail_5002000.jpg","/articles/6531059/Cameron-County/Texas/Cameron-County-approves-salary-adjustments-for-four-district-attorney-positions-amid-staffing-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6531059-15829cdb8cad601e9449ae804fa14407/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443018&Signature=j9FvXLwZ65Ym5cMLBKvv2nE6LSU6u6UwC0yYCwxAI-WxpY9QpxmIuTQQmX9SYHTJ~kGvhd2tzvHQYdA8Z1V3DmqvMNtW2gH4Zj-tNfI569P26r4mBPBVF9BX4w5RpdmoLMV4bMX80vK3F~Z5gvTxQC~HKa5CcMhEoMMb~a8or9L-SAxtFSxcvgioAqcBzreX7IiGMe7fUrHTKd5nY4D7BlZC85baYVK0ToHA56QOMKblAueTzSFdxeUN2ewIPNhZavk2jkJhq5kxZJFZMgB8qRE2BKBBD7Y0WzYTb6bnXEyWCVhI5gvnrp9VAauK5MRxB8CKoKBaQEBSF5eEw~OE7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cameron County Commissioners Court on Monday approved salary adjustments for four district attorney office positions after a presentation from the district attorney about recruitment, retention and workload.

District Attorney Luis Saenz and office staff told the court the office faces persistent turnover and has difficulty recruiting new attorneys. Saenz said the average assistant district attorney tenure is three to four years and that the office struggles to match pay being offered by neighboring jurisdictions and local private employers. He also discussed the loss of prospective hires who received offers with substantially higher pay: the court heard a specific example of a candidate who declined the county’s offer after being offered $22,000 more by a neighboring county.

Saenz and staff emphasized the workload and institutional knowledge held by senior prosecutors: most of the office’s senior attorneys have more than a decade of experience, and several long‑service attorneys are difficult to replace. \"They have a folded letter in their hands that’s your letter of resignation,\" Saenz said, describing how staff often approach him after receiving outside offers.

Following executive‑session discussion, county staff recommended pay adjustments to four PCNs (475‑479‑001; 475‑481‑007; 475‑483‑001; 475‑483‑006). The court moved and seconded the recommendation and voted to approve the salary adjustments; Commissioner Benavides recorded an abstention on the item.

Why it matters: The district attorney’s office handles criminal prosecution, victim services and multiple interagency investigations across a jurisdiction with numerous local and federal law‑enforcement partners. County leaders said retaining experienced prosecutors supports public safety and the county’s capacity to prosecute federal declines and complex cases that otherwise might go unprosecuted locally.

What the DA said: Saenz and his staff described systemic recruiting challenges: fewer law school graduates, shifting candidate expectations about remote work, and higher pay in other Texas counties and in private practice. The court heard examples of market offers advertised by other offices — one child‑welfare prosecutor position in neighboring Hidalgo County was described in the meeting as being advertised at between $113,000 and $130,000.

Next steps: The court’s vote authorized staff to implement the recommended adjustments and return budget details to the court under subsequent agenda items. County commissioners said they plan to review compensation across classifications as part of budget planning to preserve experienced staff in the DA’s office.

","After hearing from the district attorney's office about recruitment and retention challenges, the court approved salary adjustments to four position control numbers (PCNs) to help retain senior prosecutors; one commissioner recorded an abstention.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6531063,"Cameron County tables ‘no objection’ for Palm Breeze Village low‑income housing application",3013,1508000,4521000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3626050-42e1da1937a93803ae60db16e08329c8&start=1508&end=4521","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3626050-42e1da1937a93803ae60db16e08329c8/thumbnail_1508000.jpg","/articles/6531063/Cameron-County/Texas/Cameron-County-tables-no-objection-for-Palm-Breeze-Village-lowincome-housing-application","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6531063-341286cf3e123ebe4e9b5e7e28a52092/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443018&Signature=K7RpnIdQ6rw48Xwz63vP2HsZlnfZhuMGSN0LlVoA2RJBfpcg86wTsqr~4RhAkjMGkCcW6CN-Zvqn0~FHE9v45h3Nfx1Gh3cf0MUqY3MFSgnXq8YhLyCf5JEc04pu7Zk-AW-NGR0JpSqs9YlfHbcAeKIZH46jTvMJOz6gR8iPIUgXMzbAQghf1W1TVfE7g-Vo5Nm3h8bi-QpUoEeY~3cQu5squ9a8fqUfxAAynb~b6eyVcuaAzr9BQFwNMBsrnaCVUbzMzqq4RIvfk5QjzhEK7p~yrpzV7JakShuniMvnUOqN-1eBWdogJR9VnocnHp6BH0wGXrpE8WZTiI15JsVQjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cameron County Commissioners Court on Monday tabled consideration of a resolution of no objection for the Palm Breeze Village apartment development — an affordable housing proposal in the Brownsville extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) — after a multi‑hour public hearing focused on tax exemptions, developer fees and local benefits.

The hearing opened at the court’s special meeting after a motion to open the public hearing was made and seconded; county staff and project representatives answered commissioners’ questions before the court voted to table formal action. The developers and the Cameron County Housing Finance Corporation (HFC) representatives said the step was required to secure 4% federal low‑income housing tax credits from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA). The court’s tabling preserves the county’s ability to request further financial detail and to seek school‑district input before any final county approval on tax‑exempt status.

Why it matters: Commissioners repeatedly raised concerns about how property tax exemptions would affect county revenue and school districts while HFC and the developer described how tax credit equity and a property tax exemption are necessary for the project’s financial viability. The court asked developers and the HFC for clearer dollar figures and a plan showing how the county will benefit if the HFC receives fees or ongoing revenue from the project.

Developers and housing officials who spoke at the hearing said the project is designed as affordable housing at 60% and 80% of area median income (AMI). Mark Milam, identified as the executive director for the Cameron County Housing Finance Corporation, described the planned project as providing housing for lower‑income households in the Southmost/Brownsville area and said the HFC intends to use funds it receives to support single‑family housing and other local projects.

Richard Ashton, with AMD Development (the developer), described the financial structure: the project relies on a layer of tax‑credit equity and a planned bond allocation. Ashton said the tax‑credit equity flowing into the project is about $25.26 million and that an estimated $3 million developer fee on the project would result in a share to Cameron County HFC (30% of the fee). \"That 15‑year share is approximately $4,500,000,\" Ashton said, referring to the HFC's projected share over the initial 15‑year tax credit delivery period.

Developers and HFC representatives said rents at the project would be about 35% below comparable market‑rate units and asserted the property would be subject to a 40‑year land use restriction agreement supervised by TDHCA; they also said the project likely could not proceed as market‑rate housing without local assistance. \"There is no way that it’s financially feasible for us to proceed with this\" as market rate, Richard Ashton said.

Commissioners pressed the HFC and developers on the local fiscal tradeoffs. Commissioners asked for a line‑item pro forma showing (a) the value Cameron County would forgo in property taxes annually and over time; (b) the fees and ongoing revenue the HFC expects to receive; and (c) any offsets or commitments the HFC would make to direct funds back into county projects. During the hearing, HFC and developer representatives said the HFC expects to receive upfront and ongoing fees, and that a portion of those funds is planned for investments such as single‑family housing projects in Rio Hondo and other county needs.

After extended discussion — including concerns that county taxpayers and local school districts might bear an ongoing revenue loss — Commissioner Reese moved to table consideration of the resolution of no objection for submission to TDHCA; Commissioner Garza seconded and the motion carried. County staff and the developers agreed to return with more precise financial documentation and to coordinate outreach to the affected school district.

The court’s tabling is procedural: speakers repeatedly noted the current vote is not the final county action on a property tax exemption or bond issuance and that additional HFC and county steps would be required before any property could be removed from the tax rolls. The developers said they will submit a more detailed 15‑year pro forma and development budget to the court for review.

Next steps: The court directed staff to continue discussions with the HFC and the applicant, to obtain detailed fiscal projections and to solicit input from the school district before bringing the matter back for a formal county decision.

","After a lengthy public hearing on a proposed 368‑unit affordable complex in the Brownsville ETJ, the Cameron County Commissioners Court voted to table a resolution of no objection so staff and county leaders can review financial impacts, tax‑exemption details and school‑district concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cameron County accepts 2024 TIRZ reports from Harlingen and Los Fresnos; Harlingen fund balances noted

Cameron County approves salary adjustments for four district attorney positions amid staffing shortfall

Cameron County tables ‘no objection’ for Palm Breeze Village low‑income housing application