[{"_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",6472723,"mediaKeyId","5775855-adc71c5e78fa3ae7ba8e16c61c76a4c2","parentId",5775855,"title","Residents urge action on proposed cell tower and request street lighting for Christie Estates","audioSeconds",290,"startMs",3344000,"endMs",3634000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775855-adc71c5e78fa3ae7ba8e16c61c76a4c2&start=3344&end=3634","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775855-adc71c5e78fa3ae7ba8e16c61c76a4c2/thumbnail_3344000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6472723/Hidalgo-County/Texas/Residents-urge-action-on-proposed-cell-tower-and-request-street-lighting-for-Christie-Estates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472723-f1e5f788740dc2b18fad6c4756c44aa8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770943119&Signature=amWKciwnN3N7jwp8L7fPzr6blZwh7TSVV1vySCbi1siQRla6DzxQuJ4YgMDpsMlWLsVGXV4CVfi7qE8psnLI1K-rHTNKs595oMtip~969QB2ZD8oPzEcGDY99Z3DvsM1M9Cli6~BMhXCQBX-dSeVXlu7pzhjSrRBiY1zGAS8s5OMwjk54sPM7E3CsSRPsvctKzl~soEssqJ1XmgUBu2~EX6C~Yz7qyv2hZsH~efyRwWHXRMG4wZmdUpPngYxjrUmm0aAY3oXRR9c5-IVxObH114ZfDMjXQe~yNx9NZ3fZdhf6k3FgXDJlKlGnMJhGPwX1YmzsOpJVcor~Eaz5JnLPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hidalgo","date","2025-09-16T00:00:00Z","article","Multiple residents addressed Commissioners Court during the public‑comment period to raise safety and health concerns.

Cell tower opposition
Fern McClarty and two neighbors, identified as Elena (Edelia) Cantu and Juanita Lopez, told the court they were frustrated with the process and concerned that a proposed cell tower would be sited between residences without adequate notice. Cantu said she had difficulty obtaining information about the project and asked why a sign or direct notice had not been posted; she described the approval process as \"like pulling teeth to get information.\" Lopez said the tower's proximity to her home was causing anxiety and affecting her sleep; she described her own health limitations and said she feared the tower's presence.

Light‑installation petition from Christie Estates
Ramona Mercado, a neighborhood resident, presented a petition signed by Christie Estates neighbors asking Commissioner Roberto Villarreal to install public street lights in the subdivision. Mercado said dark streets are a danger to children waiting at bus stops and to residents who commute early or late. She asked the commissioner to prioritize installation and cited past support from the court on colonia improvements.

What officials said
Staff indicated they will follow up with residents. Commissioners did not take an immediate formal vote on either the cell tower matter or the Christie Estates lighting request during the Sept. 16 session; staff were asked to gather more information and return with details.

Context and next steps
Residents asked for clearer notice and communications about land‑use changes and permit approvals. The transcript shows the county clerk/staff noted these public comments and said departments would respond; residents were told to expect follow up from relevant staff or the commissioner's office.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hidalgo - Commissioner's Court","oneSentenceSummary","Several residents used public forum to ask commissioners to stop a proposed cell tower sited between homes and to request public lighting installation in Christie Estates to improve safety for students and residents.","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},6472728,"Votes at a glance: Commissioners Court and Drainage District approved audits, budgets, contracts, grants, proclamations and legal engagements",2728,2504000,5232000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775855-adc71c5e78fa3ae7ba8e16c61c76a4c2&start=2504&end=5232","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775855-adc71c5e78fa3ae7ba8e16c61c76a4c2/thumbnail_2504000.jpg","/articles/6472728/Hidalgo-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Commissioners-Court-and-Drainage-District-approved-audits-budgets-contracts-grants-proclamations-and-legal-engagements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472728-405c21c8c5e6ff44b86372c42578bb95/orig.mp4?Expires=1770943119&Signature=W3gKaefb~RwjyY3BY0qjp8-NygoEyscpezMGU1TvEfGIa0Ie603G74HOfthd5OZEzkZj3aT~FwJCXpFvZFc~XiY318S5vqOYwJD684AqLfqID1MeZJKlyaPIDvDp1apYJ4TT17RD~a0xviwxbBlAGWxMOz0O~X0CwVuGPf8e0ANuYtKqatBr8umWI7DeLO-vghpcWTNdDgmI6saxgxH4n30o3sn1aX6wpV5GFua~zthwZHe~Rt1HJYhORNhNmpwHFkJ9CvHcbKlzeVherqi-2lEV0z9sVpVC6L2pk9cMDrWwZ~ZZGmUKBmjpCcLu4dv3NtKngOpsDBcnxXqIGapbBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hidalgo County Commissioners Court and the Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 met jointly Sept. 16 and completed a large number of routine and substantive votes. Below are the principal actions taken by the court and the district, with outcomes as recorded on the day.

Major financial and oversight actions
- Accepted Hidalgo County annual financial report and single audit for year ended Dec. 31, 2024 (audit partner presentation). Outcome: approved.
- Accepted Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 annual financial report and single audit for year ended Dec. 31, 2024. Outcome: approved.
- Approved the Drainage District's proposed calendar‑year 2026 balanced budget (includes two new stormwater staff positions). Outcome: approved.

Grants and program funding (selected)
- Juvenile specialty court grants (Hidalgo County Lifelines Girls Juvenile Mental Health Court and Juvenile Drug Court): court authorized acceptance of FY2026 grant awards and appropriations (Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division). Outcome: approved.
- District and county health grants (WIC and immunization program contracts): multiple contract awards and revenue certifications were accepted and appropriated as presented. Outcome: approved.
- Sheriff's office task force and grant actions (HIDA DEA agreement and auto theft task force adjustments): approved. Outcome: approved.

Procurement, contracts and construction (selected)
- Awarded or authorized contracts and purchase orders for road materials, construction projects and professional services across precincts and county departments, including on‑call engineering/surveying agreements and specific construction awards for street and drainage projects. Outcome: approved (motions carried with oral votes).
- Facilities and equipment purchases: approved purchase of two 2025 Harley‑Davidson police motorcycles for Constable Precinct 4, and IT equipment (50 Dell laptops). Outcome: approved.

Legal engagements and settlements
- Approved exemption from competitive bidding and engaged outside counsel (Preston Hendrickson; Carlos Escobar) for specific pending litigation matters as presented. Outcome: approved.
- Authorized settlement offers for certain claims (examples recorded: claim of Nora Aguirre — settlement authority to offer $216.50; claim of Juanita Salinas — settlement authority to offer $1,289.46). Outcome: approved.

Proclamations and recognitions
- Proclaimed September 2025 as Valley Voter Awareness Month and encouraged voter registration outreach. Outcome: approved.
- Recognized the Alton Police Department for TPCA accreditation and the Drainage District's completion of the Texas Municipal League Road Ready program badges. Outcome: approved.

Procedure note: many agenda items were approved by motion, second and an oral unanimous \"aye\"; the transcript records multiple abstentions where commissioners recused themselves from items tied to potential conflicts (for example, Commissioner Fuentes abstained on several procurement items). Items requiring further legal or administrative follow‑up were assigned to relevant departments for next steps and reporting.

For reporters: the meeting included numerous line‑item approvals and procurements; request the posted agenda packet and the clerk's signed minutes for parcel lists, contract numbers, and resolution exhibits when preparing detailed coverage.","At the Sept. 16 meeting the court and drainage district accepted audits, approved the Drainage District's proposed budget, adopted multiple procurement and contract awards, accepted several grant awards and made legal engagement and settlement approvals.",{"_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},6472732,"Court authorizes acquisition of easements and fee title for multiple flood‑mitigation projects, including condemnation authority",69,1951000,2020000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775855-adc71c5e78fa3ae7ba8e16c61c76a4c2&start=1951&end=2020","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775855-adc71c5e78fa3ae7ba8e16c61c76a4c2/thumbnail_1951000.jpg","/articles/6472732/Hidalgo-County/Texas/Court-authorizes-acquisition-of-easements-and-fee-title-for-multiple-floodmitigation-projects-including-condemnation-authority","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472732-4627879afd46caf841f9e41efdfd50f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770943119&Signature=TRF73PV1vYWoocSTfycckYGhAUWqjZPrP9d~Tt8kjmg97l548-KQutpdBotRlXhv~7Q3Un3aBZlFlrml-umlUfQf6A45f3zaqSmgjDI5NlHCLQU1phODLc85kYL3fOAiVcp2gRfCmxqRb5n8~m3iZ0HN~cv9bAdk3JhMG7EAE6ImLW~n87VKO4ETewAgIupKnFw-AeCN8GGTFizLUSb3ufoKr2zls68vDWE71sYp9ZlMuebn5g5MkTssXgC1wyZtW57-wOghm07qZf1456dmGnJwO2FYG80R~nnUV6hqZLKkgV4Ui6H4pEwVKme8Y8u9irWPsqePQRAYTwGoJ1rJjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 and Commissioners Court approved a set of resolutions authorizing the acquisition of easements, rights of way and fee title for multiple flood mitigation projects — including an authorization to pursue condemnation where owners cannot be negotiated with — the board reported Tuesday.

The resolutions covered: Mile 10 outfalls and right acquisitions; the Delta Flood Mitigation Project; and a feeder/bond project identified as the 2023 Bond Project 8 (including a La Vieja/ Cauchaca ditch segment). District staff recommended approval of all three resolutions to allow timely acquisition of property interests needed to construct drainage improvements.

Why this matters: the resolutions give district staff legal authority to begin acquisition activities, which may include negotiation or the filing of eminent‑domain proceedings if necessary. The actions are common for infrastructure projects that require corridor access or fee ownership for construction and long‑term maintenance.

What the board approved
Staff presented three distinct resolutions that each \"recognize the necessity of acquiring easements, rights‑of‑way or fee title in connection with the construction\" of the named projects and asked the board to authorize acquisition by negotiation, condemnation, or other lawful means. The court approved staff's recommendation; the clerk recorded the motion as carried following the oral \"aye\" vote.

Board comment and procedure
The district recommended applying the single resolution language to all tracts described in the resolutions and noted that exhibits describing the parcels are part of the resolution documents. No individual landowner names were read into the record during the motion; staff said the actions were intended to allow acquisitions to proceed in accordance with the resolutions and applicable law.

Next steps
Staff said they will proceed with required title work, negotiation with property owners and, if necessary, condemnation filings consistent with the adopted resolutions and will return to the board as required by law for any further legal steps.","Commissioners and the Drainage District approved resolutions recognizing the necessity of acquiring easements, rights of way, or fee title for several flood‑mitigation and bond‑funded projects and authorized acquisition by negotiation or condemnation where required.",{"_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},6472737,"Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 reports clean audit, proposes balanced 2026 budget with two stormwater positions",361,811000,1172000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775855-adc71c5e78fa3ae7ba8e16c61c76a4c2&start=811&end=1172","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775855-adc71c5e78fa3ae7ba8e16c61c76a4c2/thumbnail_811000.jpg","/articles/6472737/Hidalgo-County/Texas/Hidalgo-County-Drainage-District-No-1-reports-clean-audit-proposes-balanced-2026-budget-with-two-stormwater-positions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472737-8e4494233c054992c26c47cb87bd780e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770943119&Signature=KGbxT8nsDYmaoaGMiPE-SsNLkpwXRpd-bwcQcheGdxkS1mQi~xV~~TgBWD~nuTdy2nav8D8ntqkfxP~Nw9yUJlPHnB4zQad4x0SwcA~i6T3CePRuvS1xok~ckrBzQ0Y4Lyovi9~yysPvJdRp6R3ZzJiULvHHLyzU5H6w4Csy2CWhkm-tQokgp36AIhEiyK92Ac78Nwt85VQgU~r-Drc~k6hzG6azNuaw-C-evL9MqPW3lGdpKsj6K6Kds0LvkEf4BLS06ROQJCdXTYpRQ6L~fyHLYsnnKJh3Vbal68x4XDRlCVlVgmn8l0Hf3LjxtTHyVhsmQnXl~OwnmK6GeFpT8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 received an unmodified (\"clean\") audit opinion for the year ended Dec. 31, 2024, and district staff presented a proposed calendar‑year 2026 budget that the board approved for submission at Tuesday's meeting.

The district's external audit partner, Luis Lopez, told the board the audit included federal single‑audit testing because the entity expended federal funds above the single‑audit threshold. He confirmed auditors found no instances of reportable noncompliance and no significant internal‑control deficiencies.

Nut graf: The audit indicates the district continues to maintain a sizable fund balance and to invest in construction activity. At the same meeting, staff proposed a balanced 2026 budget that would add two stormwater management technician positions focused on compliance and monitoring work.

Key audit findings and fund balance
Lopez said the district's unassigned fund balance as of Dec. 31, 2024, was $26,034,846, representing roughly 300 days of operating coverage for the general fund on an illustrative basis. He noted the district's total cash and cash equivalents across governmental funds included bond proceeds and pooled investments, with total governmental funds cash and equivalents reported at about $216 million (the figure includes restricted bond proceeds and investment balances).

2026 budget proposal
District accounting staff presented a proposed balanced budget for calendar year 2026 with total revenues and expenditures of approximately $33 million and two new full‑time positions titled stormwater management technician/specialist. Staff said the new positions will focus on stormwater compliance, illegal dumping monitoring, sediment control, and other regulatory tasks tied to the district's TCEQ programs.

Construction and project activity
Auditors and staff noted the district showed an overall decrease in total governmental fund balance driven by construction activity funded from bond proceeds, and capital projects and construction‑in‑progress increased by more than $42 million during the year. The district also reported multiple projects submitted or being prepared for inclusion in the state Region 15 water planning process to be eligible for future state funding.

Board action
The board voted to accept the audit report and to approve the proposed 2026 budget for further processing. Commissioners also approved a number of routine procurement, contract, and project items during the meeting.

What remains: staff said they will provide a follow‑up that breaks out certain recurring costs (for example, amounts paid to the appraisal district and acquisition/easement costs) at the next meeting.","External auditors gave the Drainage District an unmodified opinion for 2024; staff presented a proposed 2026 balanced budget that would add two stormwater management technician positions and shows assigned and unassigned fund balances.",{"_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},6472742,"Hidalgo County receives clean audit; unassigned general‑fund balance about $83.7 million",539,4605000,5144000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775855-adc71c5e78fa3ae7ba8e16c61c76a4c2&start=4605&end=5144","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775855-adc71c5e78fa3ae7ba8e16c61c76a4c2/thumbnail_4605000.jpg","/articles/6472742/Hidalgo-County/Texas/Hidalgo-County-receives-clean-audit-unassigned-generalfund-balance-about-837-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472742-80345b09d209e1c2ffcf5d3922a80285/orig.mp4?Expires=1770943119&Signature=h0RF~lR4qP-Ja5WKIEN4CPcdM1EBKM4ooQk6eGxlny4izWM1d-Wm6Oclul7rNHceKBwQeeIeLaPVewHIrtF2qnwiUInX95sLlzfzEwv2gbvlWonv4pxt2MlRcf3abIqjyuXoPRO6GNW4GBOV3uibegZE6DnhfBRzh3DYjIpp4aIZGtGXPXsRqcHgAi3ruibQ1DL5zo3dcGKtmB256FMkBcmebUD-7TuXGxEsNGxTMw23wjXSUnrjUVscu25ZQL3JTJHr7pRtVXoQR0pK0LrkaZu~IGofEwhdvmZMNcoG~0DxqgPcD~rLqWJRKYnwaJhtK0ZewJZ9iZ2~iL0eWpzofw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Auditors issued an unmodified (\"clean\") opinion on Hidalgo County's financial statements for the year ended Dec. 31, 2024, and reported no instances of noncompliance with federal or state grant rules that must be reported, the county's external auditor told the commissioners Tuesday.

The finding came during a presentation of the county's annual audit by the county's external audit team. The auditors told the Commissioners Court the county's unassigned fund balance in the general fund was $83,662,188 as of Dec. 31, 2024, which the auditors said equates to roughly 111 days of operating expenditures and falls within the Government Finance Officers Association's recommended range.

Why this matters: the unassigned fund balance is the most commonly used measure of a local government's short‑term fiscal cushion. A larger fund balance gives a county flexibility to respond to unexpected events such as extreme weather and cash‑flow timing issues.

County auditor and audit highlights
Mr. Guerra, the external audit partner who presented the report, told the court the audit was conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and government auditing standards and was subject to the Uniform Guidance because the county expended federal grant funds in excess of threshold limits. \"Our audit was also subject to the uniform guidance,\" he said, adding the auditors tested federal and state awards and reported no instances of reportable noncompliance.

The auditors noted two accounting standard changes implemented for 2024 that affected presentation: one addressing accounting for changes and error corrections and another addressing compensated‑absence liabilities. The report also included three proposed audit adjustments that management posted before issuance; auditors said the adjustments did not result in a material misstatement of the financial statements.

The audit team also noted the county's health insurance/internal proprietary fund, which had shown a deficit in prior years, is no longer in a deficit position as of Dec. 31, 2024. \"Management has been working on addressing that deficit,\" the audit partner said, noting the fund is in the positive by a little more than $4 million.

Officials' response and next steps
County Judge Richard Cortez asked auditors whether their tests had identified any wrongdoing; the auditor replied, \"No. We did not,\" while noting audit procedures are performed on a test basis and auditors are not compliance lawyers.

The court voted to accept the audit report.","Independent auditors issued an unmodified opinion on Hidalgo County's 2024 financial statements and found no reportable noncompliance with federal or state programs; county's unassigned general‑fund balance provided about 111 days of operating coverage.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge action on proposed cell tower and request street lighting for Christie Estates

Votes at a glance: Commissioners Court and Drainage District approved audits, budgets, contracts, grants, proclamations and legal engagements

Court authorizes acquisition of easements and fee title for multiple flood‑mitigation projects, including condemnation authority

Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 reports clean audit, proposes balanced 2026 budget with two stormwater positions

Hidalgo County receives clean audit; unassigned general‑fund balance about $83.7 million