[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6536653,"mediaKeyId","3755019-85021a40b7064410f5b3b0fa9398fc50","parentId",3755019,"title","Hidalgo County Community Service Agency reports more than $750,000 in flood relief; warns federal cuts to CSBG would hamper aid","audioSeconds",284,"startMs",3835829,"endMs",4120040,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3755019-85021a40b7064410f5b3b0fa9398fc50&start=3835&end=4120","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3755019-85021a40b7064410f5b3b0fa9398fc50/thumbnail_3835829.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6536653/Hidalgo-County/Texas/Hidalgo-County-Community-Service-Agency-reports-more-than-750000-in-flood-relief-warns-federal-cuts-to-CSBG-would-hamper-aid","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536653-0b2cb47392cea0d9be612db37d40328b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189319&Signature=NG7LSH7JZuyLaqQNFKHY5HKicx5XqfvsclOiTi6CJnA3Y1Z~f2jRLCmhzerZmsXqcSNn3ICh8Oqqf0VWOsne3RWmqkdQLhJ7RBFg10QKTssudWVU7qzlTzKzRGoajVqlr-Molh6k8avbU8lX2kLKV3DYqxKH8-9vUI-l36reFqePaTUM38jrM-4Cbb6LU9sO65t43ocNhis~vR-yIbin2Ehu~snnvehH5syWk-PS56o1aIxPTdALM9BUzDPd87IfcNl65NFAmqVICN0CK4MFAgaytvJbHA00i9qh1UEkqBUbPxR9G-9uyhRyVyoPKGUevoWWcu2hkWU5ryAk~8M3Fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hidalgo","date","2025-06-10T00:00:00Z","article","Hidalgo County Community Service Agency (CSA) staff told the commissioners they have distributed more than $750,000 in disaster relief since the March 27 severe-weather and flooding event and appealed for continued federal funding.

CSA director summarized a two-phase response. The agency first deployed about $257,000 in Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funds as $500 gift-card awards to affected families across the county. A subsequent state CSBG allocation of roughly $500,000 allowed CSA to provide additional flexible assistance, including refrigerators, stoves and water heaters for eligible households, procurement staff said. The director said the state’s flexibility allowed the county to supply physical appliances for the first time in recent program history and to coordinate purchases with the county purchasing office.

Director Jaime Lonoria (presenting as CSA lead) said the agency used initial gift-card distribution information and referrals from precinct offices to target assistance and that the funds served households across municipalities from Sullivan City to Mercedes. He said the combined CSBG allocations had supported “more or less 500 families across Hidalgo County.”

Lonoria also warned that the president’s proposed federal “skinny” budget would eliminate CSBG, a key flexible funding source he said the agency used to respond to COVID food distribution and to place vulnerable residents in shelters after storms. “The effect would be devastating to the people, the vulnerable families, the elderly families,” he said in describing the potential impact on those who rely on Social Security income and other limited means.

Commissioners heard examples of how relief funds helped residents: gift-card recipients bought groceries, graduation clothing, bedding, an air fryer for a mother helping in the kitchen and other essential items. CSA staff noted that many recipients are elderly or children — roughly 75% of those served by CSA’s programs fall into those age groups.

CSA leaders asked the court to note the county’s use of flexible CSBG funds and to continue collaborating with precincts and partner organizations as they complete appliance distributions and other casework. The court did not amend county budgets during the report but recorded the update and the director’s appeal for federal funding preservation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hidalgo - Commissioner's Court - Jun 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Hidalgo County’s Community Service Agency told commissioners it has distributed more than $750,000 in flood relief since the March 27 storm, using county and state CSBG funds to provide gift cards and appliances to roughly 500 families.","taxTitle","Hidalgo County, Texas","taxId",2708,"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},6536657,"Commissioners approve heavy-equipment purchases, vehicle buys and award construction contract for juvenile mental health facility",6407,482459,6890120,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3755019-85021a40b7064410f5b3b0fa9398fc50&start=482&end=6890","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3755019-85021a40b7064410f5b3b0fa9398fc50/thumbnail_482459.jpg","/articles/6536657/Hidalgo-County/Texas/Commissioners-approve-heavy-equipment-purchases-vehicle-buys-and-award-construction-contract-for-juvenile-mental-health-facility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536657-e55c9a2e3c51b7e6ff56b5059100bffb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189319&Signature=Pike14lfFQUpvSMEyiDPmsArAXiVOLCAt4NDcyZ4BXlrUlF6MBhw841iWDU4K1xfLHZSiDtcqwy3nc-W3R35WK241cQ-2vDTbXms6~b6TjcjjmfBigqArt~k0PmN9obxdKJnBjbu07dTgwgM9~vRtP2HITWqyFTNpMVURoH2pvnkEii-r5JQV5NTh54hOoJlWN~jLVST2wXcXTrLXFxgAh1XwPKDs-q9Pf-PA1K4bdoPKiXT1tEhZXL-fiEKbz1JNQYUY3e4jqUshGykKymKRnPj8n-vdGeeIssujkUPPAoiLZyk23swE1sI7OaICVnsiTpRImNg4CoD1Gy~O03tig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hidalgo County Commissioners on Wednesday approved several procurement actions that advance equipment replacement and capital construction projects for county operations.

The court authorized purchases of heavy equipment and vehicles via cooperative contracts, approving purchase orders for dump trucks, excavators, a winch truck and a backhoe loader. The itemized purchases included two 2025 Peterbilt dump trucks for $455,594.02, a winch truck for approximately $309,300 and three Caterpillar excavators (total shown in agenda materials). The board also approved declaring specific assets surplus for trade-in or auction after the transactions are complete.

In separate capital actions the court accepted the evaluation committee’s recommendation and authorized execution of the construction agreement with EBE Merit Construction (EBE Investment DBA EBE Merit Construction) for the Hidalgo County Juvenile Mental Health Facility located at 1711 Northbridge Avenue, Weslaco. Procurement staff said the construction agreement total will not exceed $5,514,840.55 and the contract will proceed upon receipt of required performance bonding.

The court also approved a budget amendment recognizing revenue from fixed-asset sales and appropriating $3,144,170.42 from the general fund balance to cover open purchase orders and commitments as of Dec. 31, 2024, and a separate appropriation of $1,077,031.02 from the general fund balance for heavy equipment purchases. Purchasing staff said some awards were made under cooperative purchasing agreements and were subject to receipt of required bonds and final contract documents.

All procurement motions were carried by voice vote. Commissioners and staff stressed that cooperative purchasing and trade-in processes keep scheduled maintenance and operations functional while reducing procurement lead times. Officials also noted required receipts of bonds and final paperwork before contractors could begin construction or deliveries.","The court approved multiple cooperative purchases for heavy equipment and vehicles, budget amendments for equipment purchases, and awarded the Hidalgo County Juvenile Mental Health Facility construction contract to EBE Merit Construction.",{"_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},6536662,"Hidalgo County Drainage District reports hurricane readiness, construction updates and advances on Delta water reclamation grant",149,233073,382643,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3755019-85021a40b7064410f5b3b0fa9398fc50&start=233&end=382","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3755019-85021a40b7064410f5b3b0fa9398fc50/thumbnail_233073.jpg","/articles/6536662/Hidalgo-County/Texas/Hidalgo-County-Drainage-District-reports-hurricane-readiness-construction-updates-and-advances-on-Delta-water-reclamation-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536662-a48565ae9fa36766c9ac8454b36b3dee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189319&Signature=fPyWiuDo44gqWvKIJkGuaHqtgR4ak4iVq18v9o1BLkwfewinj7l5EtDho8frqYnFyoDmIhm8no62C6ghPsMUplzFqvmZJuLzW~btsjeFYluRGWjVl77tZq7neFd~xNkRZiQaijtWUxAjdKsw0vvSHG6A1ievQJ7LvyWNln~UqZxwWl6yvNc~EHQU1RVu3CdOpsMbu4o9BBRz2mHfZ4mLQCL0487p7cTPYCDUNusOH39vvy~l2GHC2p-Akh4Rwa9eO6XZ8jM9zHnLFjxEM8ByoOJUIwVQGFBYc4gW6OIZsHPwaiVTTPKrXGEotH6a6KMxQKKObygqselKTK-ku2tgig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hidalgo County Drainage District on Wednesday told directors it has completed hurricane preparedness drills and continued construction and procurement work tied to multiple flood-control and water-reuse projects.

The district’s general manager briefed the board on pump operations, flood-operations dry runs, debris removal planning and staff safety training, saying the district “has been active and ready for the hurricane season,” and that teams ran a dry run to ensure assignments were understood. He also said the district hosted a tour for researchers from the University of Texas, who saw both existing and new drainage work “and were very impressed.”

The update covered several board actions taken at the same meeting. The board approved an auctioneer service agreement with Big D Tractor Company LLC under the cooperative purchase contract PCAOD32820; declared a list of vehicles and heavy equipment surplus for auction under Texas Local Government Code §263.151–.152; and approved purchases of dump trucks and heavy equipment through cooperative purchasing awards. The board also authorized award of a construction contract for Phase 1 of the Segment 21 flood-control project to Gonzales Engineering Management LLC for $1,936,603, pending final review and compliance with House Bill 1295. The board additionally approved establishing an archaeological services pool and directed staff to negotiate an on-call archaeological services agreement with Consultants Inc. from that pool.

At the meeting the general manager said the district had forwarded paperwork supporting a $15,000,000 Delta Water Reclamation package to the governor’s office, adding that approval would bring the district “1 step closer” to producing potable water from treated drainage flows. The statement to the board noted the submission was on the governor’s desk for execution.

Board members voted on each listed procurement and award during the session; in each case the clerk recorded standard voice votes (“all in favor say aye”) that carried. The motions were typically moved and seconded without recorded roll-call tallies in the public transcript.

The district’s action also included a delegation of limited change-order authority to the general manager to approve change orders of $50,000 or less so long as statutory limits are not exceeded, a change managers said was intended to speed construction administration.

Supporters said the construction and procurement steps keep multiple bond- and grant-funded projects moving toward completion. The board did not set firm effective dates for the Gonzales Engineering contract in the meeting minutes; staff said awards remained subject to final legal review and statutory compliance.

The district’s manager closed by reminding the public that local heavy rain events can occur outside hurricane season and that readiness efforts—pumps, debris removal and flood-ops—are maintained year-round.","The Drainage District gave an update on hurricane preparedness, recent construction tours and awarded multiple procurement and construction actions; officials said a $15 million Delta Water Reclamation grant package has been forwarded to the governor's office.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6536645,"UT Health program reports improved diet and activity outcomes in Precinct 4; county lab to begin employee wellness screenings",758,5263800,6022120,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3755019-85021a40b7064410f5b3b0fa9398fc50&start=5263&end=6022","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3755019-85021a40b7064410f5b3b0fa9398fc50/thumbnail_5263800.jpg","/articles/6536645/Hidalgo-County/Texas/UT-Health-program-reports-improved-diet-and-activity-outcomes-in-Precinct-4-county-lab-to-begin-employee-wellness-screenings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536645-cbd5cd9958c901141164b4f7389dedb9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189319&Signature=ZWwiHcH6ux86Uwn5ddz5UJH3b0d9yOekstrYocZyP9xOim-wyE2KTVS0B9~1-2bafTt2QXAJpwbWc1Q-h0bnDnRCWIs54N3v4NBQLchNh~0rTsd7rlS5DDJIOUg01YQ4DpVeodOW9aStf0kattIEFDX4guYrBJ9LzaCL1lxMoCTX1EqNw0dV39CnOlW9vTD2bf4tJZgVUAy8sofzjH~y5wPuUSa5vUMtRXEIKXqgo5y7-hydFUFpr0YrKLzXm9KJI1hdYO0w7o5aOCeKzzxVa5p38vlT4Fto1or0a0UmI992ikHT1gqPoAeSlPqcYiYdJr4hk2U-bFgltUl2c1nYxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","UT Health Houston representatives on Wednesday reported measurable improvements among participants in the Community Health Worker program operating in Hidalgo County’s Precinct 4 and the county health laboratory announced a no-cost employee wellness screening initiative.

Dr. Lisa Bennett, senior project manager at UT Health Houston School of Public Health, said data collected for Precinct 4 showed 84% of participants increased fruit-and-vegetable intake and 80% increased physical activity. Staff reported that among participants with high blood pressure, 56% showed a decrease in blood pressure and 20% reduced to non-hypertensive levels.

The program, in its fifth year in Hidalgo County, delivers exercise classes, healthy-cooking modules and community outreach, targeting uninsured and low-income residents. Bennett noted the program uses ongoing evaluation to verify health outcomes and that partnerships with county precincts and community organizations helped expand reach.

Separately the Hidalgo County Public Health laboratory announced a no-cost employee wellness screening program running June 16 through Aug. 29, offering a complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) and lipid panel. Veronica Quartet, laboratory director, said the lab has the staffing and a contracted medical director to review results and that initial screenings will be offered to employees by appointment with an eventual rollout to the public.

Commissioners and presenters emphasized prevention and lifestyle interventions as complements to clinical care. UT Health staff asked the court to continue support for community-based prevention funding, noting federal SNAP-Ed funding and other grants as key supports for ongoing programming.","UT Health Houston presented evaluation results showing improved fruit-and-vegetable intake and physical activity among participants in a community health worker program, and Hidalgo County Public Health announced no-cost employee lab screenings this summer.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6536648,"Donna ISD and Hidalgo County approve memorandum to convert Guzman Elementary into Pre-K/Head Start collaboration site",228,4694010,4922081,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3755019-85021a40b7064410f5b3b0fa9398fc50&start=4694&end=4922","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3755019-85021a40b7064410f5b3b0fa9398fc50/thumbnail_4694010.jpg","/articles/6536648/Hidalgo-County/Texas/Donna-ISD-and-Hidalgo-County-approve-memorandum-to-convert-Guzman-Elementary-into-Pre-KHead-Start-collaboration-site","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536648-a8efb44649c69d2639ef76ad9dc9243d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189319&Signature=fM9VE0ASqBJH0UMiGNjIaFl6Zy1bHiObxuzrCBK4g-6Yi9l3TmFYD0OeNNM6-LnFmTvYMgBvKs6qTKmZqqR5F~TeNbNGVCsgrUswUPyXbBYEyInI-YHl2zFTxdHEi6RVzba50pwbeGCH-3S601-ok2GwSLuiaV30S5L~1TM7xGdl7yPBNCkTH7Jd29lDflwm4dpAmV22rbD8cHPT31PAiyXq0fb77xgfx5XuVg5cN~RAtq~rKhrmsRYsejIs~EoIWgLXnTV3xpbqygMD~~3JrB8MefMqzG2Q6osA9-AF~E8JEEbWdURhFw5SVMz0xSokFrumcuUzTM9TdDkQ7JYb6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hidalgo County commissioners on Wednesday approved an amended memorandum of understanding with Donna Independent School District to convert Guzman Elementary into a Pre-K/Head Start collaboration campus.

Donna ISD trustees have authorized repurposing Guzman Elementary to accommodate 16 Pre-K Head Start classrooms, county staff said. The memorandum includes plans for a walkthrough with county health and human services and Community Service Agency representatives to determine space allocations and to provide “one-stop” direct services to children, families and the surrounding community at no cost to the county agencies.

Donna ISD superintendent Dr. Angela Dominguez told the court the partnership has expanded early-childhood enrollment and that state moves toward full-day pre-K funding made the collaboration especially timely. The district also plans to implement Early Head Start (infants and toddlers) as part of the collaboration, superintendent Dominguez said.

The court approved the MOU and related program calendars and area distributions for policy council parent representatives for the upcoming 2025–26 school year. Commissioners voiced support for the partnership’s potential to improve early-education outcomes in areas of high need.

Staff said additional interlocal agreements were approved to lease space at $1 per month with multiple municipalities and ISDs to support program operations; the court signed waivers and approvals required for the school-year calendars and nonfinancial MOUs with partner agencies that will deliver services alongside Head Start.","Commissioners approved an amended MOU with Donna ISD to repurpose Guzman Elementary as a Pre-K/Head Start collaboration campus that will house 16 classrooms and include on-site county agency services at no cost.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hidalgo County Community Service Agency reports more than $750,000 in flood relief; warns federal cuts to CSBG would hamper aid

Commissioners approve heavy-equipment purchases, vehicle buys and award construction contract for juvenile mental health facility

Hidalgo County Drainage District reports hurricane readiness, construction updates and advances on Delta water reclamation grant

UT Health program reports improved diet and activity outcomes in Precinct 4; county lab to begin employee wellness screenings

Donna ISD and Hidalgo County approve memorandum to convert Guzman Elementary into Pre-K/Head Start collaboration site