[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6458323,"mediaKeyId","5822711-36f09446ad5a0665287db4a9c0dfb042","parentId",5822711,"title","Hidalgo County approves economic development ‘health and wellness’ program to link mental health and workforce goals","audioSeconds",297,"startMs",1291000,"endMs",1588000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5822711-36f09446ad5a0665287db4a9c0dfb042&start=1291&end=1588","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5822711-36f09446ad5a0665287db4a9c0dfb042/thumbnail_1291000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6458323/Hidalgo-County/Texas/Hidalgo-County-approves-economic-development-health-and-wellness-program-to-link-mental-health-and-workforce-goals","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458323-443d855417cfd9bd07ee6e165a3d7a27/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078342&Signature=KzCzRtUMbD9Tk-AxgnL~UM5JVU27s76yR6WVSerUXBceWmho~QekS~fV5x7ohTKOZKXWaEnU2SatbfvM8W7XlRj0U8JwlhlMp-G59OExMaqb03nBExzkVihOyctRR-GEWVYg9Ok8JXfMn6f9wsEJRmsk~KcKiGNnoG3jLSM7DLm2LuiVdiPV8UDyiSmlA8V9JwkI~91Puq1HHd62VKdig8IQ6n9CNIMgZxoTyCBeAqNcARiTB7grQMMRoZVkcRbBBkLhM66RCebfdOqmY8GljmG38tT9TyIAOXDsY1o4V~liK17tkSvKCrcjkf1ZciIwHZJ0qVswD3whaO1lTQblOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hidalgo","date","2025-09-23T00:00:00Z","article","The Hidalgo County Commissioners Court approved creation of a Hidalgo County Economic Development Health and Wellness program authorized under Texas Local Government Code §381.004(b)(1). County staff said the program will coordinate economic development, workforce development and mental-health stakeholders — including the county mental-health coalition and the regional prosperity task force — to strengthen human capital and support job creation.

Randy, who presented the item for the county’s economic development office, described mental health as a workforce and economic-development issue: staff said untreated mental-health conditions can reduce work productivity, increase absenteeism, limit labor-force participation and raise long-term healthcare costs. Commissioners discussed potential program benefits and said the county’s investment would be modest; one commissioner suggested the county consider increasing employee health incentives alongside the program. County staff said the proposed program will be established as a program/grant authority (a \"program grama\") under the referenced local government statute.

The court approved the item by motion and second and recorded the vote in favor. Staff recommended approval and committed to program development with partner organizations and to bring back implementation details, including any proposed funding amounts and measurable workforce outcomes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hidalgo - Commissioner's Court","oneSentenceSummary","The commissioners approved creating a Hidalgo County Economic Development Health and Wellness program under Texas Local Government Code §381.004(b)(1) to collaborate with the mental health coalition and prosperity task force on workforce-related mental-health initiatives.","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},6458327,"Hidalgo County commissioners adopt 2026 budget corrections and set 2025 tax rate at 0.575 per $100",383,2047000,2430000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5822711-36f09446ad5a0665287db4a9c0dfb042&start=2047&end=2430","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5822711-36f09446ad5a0665287db4a9c0dfb042/thumbnail_2047000.jpg","/articles/6458327/Hidalgo-County/Texas/Hidalgo-County-commissioners-adopt-2026-budget-corrections-and-set-2025-tax-rate-at-0575-per-100","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458327-8e605945f2a06792e530ef0573560baa/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078342&Signature=NRkEXZp1YeipUWsyf5XimplQtZNeUQMmLUNIlFSH4hrKGRPiu8-L-qYGSD0WoB~zv-SMxCH-QpZYQgcHh~VEBf6hJx1TBOYfKqPVAdDXEvVEU44misnaRKlZw75Fol34OT-9iRnkct9rJdaInffjbBdQy~P9cqWec3fnHzxM2MGOV3piJ9nzRUWyC4vk~-YO1yCS4S1lW7-QlcRDnosUP95o3mOFbURVrf0ra9zPhOfHsPs-bQwxcJF-klwUrH6OCMG5sS4GVtfOmNcIHr6c57SC1hJ6jeolVdAtUEHRqRDU7DfVA5N--pawyX~r2MVGpkq-LoAUubvUOIcQL9ECNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hidalgo County Commissioners Court adopted corrections and the annual budget for fiscal year 2026 and set the county’s 2025 ad valorem tax rate at 0.575 per $100 valuation (51.8¢ maintenance and operations; 5.7¢ debt service) during its Aug. 28 meeting.

Commissioners held a public hearing on the budget and tax rate; members of the public urged lower taxes and questioned high debt-service levels during the open forum. Public speakers also raised concerns about salary increases for elected officials and the availability of detailed budget documents. County staff confirmed the full departmental budget is available to the public and said they would provide access following the meeting.

During roll calls, motions to adopt the maintenance-and-operations tax rate (0.518) and the debt-service tax rate (0.057) passed by recorded votes of five in favor; the combined rate (0.575) was recorded as a 5-0 adoption on the record. The county noted the action represents an effective 6.05% increase in the tax rate from the prior year, as stated in the meeting record.

The court approved multiple administrative and grant actions listed on the consent agenda, including: authorization to accept and appropriate a DEA task force grant for $19,372 for the District Attorney's Office; authorization to submit economically disadvantaged county program applications for the Mile 6 Road sidewalk project and the Mile 10 North Heights bike project; acceptance of a $2,000 Community Services Block Grant discretionary award to the Hidalgo County Community Service Agency; and approval of a statewide automated victim notification service contract for fiscal year 2026 with an appropriation of $45,870.08. The court also approved a 2025 appropriation for elections-related contract services totaling $30,445.40.

Personnel and salary actions approved by the court included acceptance of orders setting the salary of the county auditor and assistant auditors, and an order setting salaries of court reporters for 2026. Human Resources reported intern appointments and other personnel items were approved where listed.

Following a closed session, the court took action on items discussed in closed session, including approving an extenuating-circumstance exemption for longevity pay for an employee and authorizing engagement of the law firm of Carlos Escobar to provide legal representation in pending litigation (TWCCRD matter referencing Gonzales). The court also approved a settlement payment in the claim of Pedro Ramirez in the amount of $269.99.

The court voted on and carried these motions by recorded voice and roll calls as shown in the public minutes. Several consent-agenda items recorded individual commissioner abstentions as noted on the record (for example, Commissioner David Fuentes abstained from some consent-agenda items listed at the start of the meeting).","The Hidalgo County Commissioners Court adopted corrections and the annual budget for 2026, set a 2025 total ad valorem tax rate of $0.575 per $100 valuation (0.518 M&O; 0.057 debt), approved salary orders and multiple grants and contracts, and directed staff on follow-up public access to the full departmental budget.",{"_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},6458332,"Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 adopts 2025 tax rate, approves 2026 budget and project payments",117,277000,394000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5822711-36f09446ad5a0665287db4a9c0dfb042&start=277&end=394","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5822711-36f09446ad5a0665287db4a9c0dfb042/thumbnail_277000.jpg","/articles/6458332/Hidalgo-County/Texas/Hidalgo-County-Drainage-District-No-1-adopts-2025-tax-rate-approves-2026-budget-and-project-payments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458332-2b96a4037a76e47afa6f21a0e91c362f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078342&Signature=m44uNsWu0cLcPsx9EaNLcM1sPzU5ZdZBPhiK9HWZCh0pOOJMuU4fDle0M~rRzJ48rWiOk2EKDWZLJAHhtPjPtzGhOMS5f6ttIRdv~cvVO0tPOgKRkEXQcoCbqYWtXepHfA5Xozj0cfcR7WJwyniKQqY4m2eMAu-6Ko5SYQvwRkUexW~Gp3UJHzFp0n1Y6yfRs8Y0OTuJUtRj76uc-Y9RPGj1zhEH9~Oznq0~2ngVn2JPW69Uv-vudyhs~J1B4TBYL5xAcucOq8A5ZSPRBRjcsIHKwsDHmEd4~~-dgzW4LHx5YLH~0ina~Dbg7gR2LL4M425b-1o6X~d-gRk4LeSw2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 voted to set its 2025 tax rate at 0.1123 per $100 of property valuation, with a maintenance and operations (M&O) rate of 0.0495 and a debt-service rate of 0.0628, during a public hearing and subsequent vote this morning.

The district also adopted a revised 2026 budget that reflects a $52,307 reduction in debt service. The budget as presented was described by staff as totaling $73,000,005.59 (breakdowns given in the hearing record). Board members moved and seconded adoption and approved the budget unanimously.

The court approved several administrative items tied to ongoing drainage and infrastructure projects. Actions included: (1) approval of an amendment increasing a contract amount and extending calendar days for the Anacuita (Anakquita) Strange Improvements Project, phase 2 (bond referendum project number 8; contract CACD1250060218) with Gonzales Engineering Management LLC recommending BDC Engineering as project engineer; Commissioner David Fuentes abstained from discussion and action on that item and the motion carried among remaining members; (2) approval of application payment No. 15 in the amount listed on the record for RG Enterprise (DBA GNG) on contract CACD1230531031 South Main Drain Phase 1; and (3) approval of application payment No. 1 in the amount listed for Construction Constructs Enterprise Infrastructure (contract CACG1250130415) for the McCallum West project, with Segura Engineering Group listed as project engineer. Staff identified Omar Saddua as the project engineer for one project during the record.

The court approved a classified compensation plan and grade-and-step salary schedule effective Jan. 1, 2026, and a new stormwater management specialist job description. These personnel actions were described by staff as aligned with countywide recommendations (including a 5% cost-of-living adjustment noted in the record).

The public hearing on the district tax rate drew no outside speakers; after staff read the proposed rates into the record the board closed the hearing and voted to adopt the rates and related orders. The clerk recorded the motions and votes in the public minutes.","The Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 set its 2025 tax rate at 0.1123 per $100 of assessed value, adopted a revised 2026 budget with a $52,307 reduction to debt service and approved multiple construction payments and a contract change order.",{"_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},6458318,"Hidalgo County planning staff adopt changes to allow on-site detention and private maintenance for subdivisions",172,1793000,1965000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5822711-36f09446ad5a0665287db4a9c0dfb042&start=1793&end=1965","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5822711-36f09446ad5a0665287db4a9c0dfb042/thumbnail_1793000.jpg","/articles/6458318/Hidalgo-County/Texas/Hidalgo-County-planning-staff-adopt-changes-to-allow-on-site-detention-and-private-maintenance-for-subdivisions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458318-1bd7257f534233a7b663f75e53153401/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078342&Signature=bd4nrDzxpgjzZyyquCIIJUi61vd7gHhtJEF-kOxfkdZCpp~KhChbMZtlGn6nEeD681WF6WNAx4gKha8~vJbSWP6B1mzQcPhxLUyc5rKV01hIYfG2uoVVp891gTZsY3vR-M0svK4MawlrCfAxeNGrGVZM4RbDnInwzDB45SnBoD8lDo96isL-KyTQDhtSEujQ51WWz~ESDG53~p8XGMAVxJ2-Zl4xpzXdvCtDqQSdqozsKreHdSo4r220oQDHEw~EYUzvJwU6P3mjjtxKUOt73jDi0-TIxyIFx3K9BsNuVjhSI1JJctRwZEKPoo-2SaEUxl~xXjLvdDuqGrA8gX-B4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hidalgo County’s Planning Department presented and the commissioners approved changes to Appendix 5 of the county construction specifications and drainage policies to allow on-site detention for subdivisions that lack a direct outfall to county drainage. The amendment requires those subdivisions to be private, to note that streets will be private, and to include plat notes stating the homeowner’s association (HOA) is responsible for maintenance of detention ponds and private drainage features.

Planning staff reported the change had been approved previously by the Subdivision Advisory Board and noted the approach aligns with practices used by some smaller cities in the county. Staff and a commissioner explained the policy prevents the county from assuming responsibility for private facilities and is intended to allow residential development to proceed where direct drainage connections are not yet available.

The court also approved three subdivision plats on the consent agenda: Los Gaviota Subdivision (54 single-family lots, Precinct 1), Davis Groves at Villanueva State Subdivision (93 single-family lots, Precinct 4), and Maria Rivera Subdivision (one single-family lot, Precinct 4). Staff recommended approval for each and the motions passed by recorded voice votes.

During discussion, a commissioner asked whether developers would sign off acknowledging maintenance responsibilities; staff confirmed plat notes and HOA obligations will be required. The policy change is intended to protect precinct drainage systems by shifting long-term maintenance responsibility for on-site detention to private owners.","The county amended Appendix 5 of its construction specifications and drainage policies to permit on-site detention for subdivisions that do not have direct outfall, require private streets and HOA maintenance, and approved several subdivision plats.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hidalgo County approves economic development ‘health and wellness’ program to link mental health and workforce goals

Hidalgo County commissioners adopt 2026 budget corrections and set 2025 tax rate at 0.575 per $100

Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 adopts 2025 tax rate, approves 2026 budget and project payments

Hidalgo County planning staff adopt changes to allow on-site detention and private maintenance for subdivisions