Votes at a glance: Maverick County Commissioners approve replat, hires, grant submissions, positions and contracts

Here are the key formal actions taken by the Maverick County Commissioners Court on Jan. 30, 2025. All motions below were approved by unanimous voice vote as recorded in the meeting transcript unless otherwise noted.

Votes at a glance

- Replat approved: Motion to approve replat of Lot 3139, Chula Vista Subdivision Unit 2 ETJ (agenda item 7). Motion by Commissioner Rios, second by Commissioner Ramos. Outcome: approved (unanimous voice vote).

- Intergovernmental agreement renewed: Motion to renew IGA with Kickapoo Tribe of Texas (agenda item 40). Motion by Commissioner Ramos, second by Commissioner Rios. Outcome: approved (see separate article).

- Elected official bonds approved: Motion to approve elected official bonds (agenda item 30) for Sheriff Tom Schmerberg, County Attorney Jaime Recheta (name listed among officials), Commissioner Precinct 1 Geraldo Morales, County Tax Assessor-Collector Ruben Montemayor, and multiple constables. Motion by Commissioner Ramos, second by Commissioner Rios. Outcome: approved (unanimous). One bond (commissioner 3) was noted as already approved through 2026 and not resubmitted.

- Recreational trails grant resolution adopted: Motion to adopt a resolution to submit a recreational trails grant application to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (agenda item 31). Motion by Commissioner Ramos, second by Commissioner Rios. Outcome: approved (unanimous). Maximum grant amount and match discussed in meeting.

- Authorization to negotiate catalytic-converter grant: Motion to authorize the county judge to enter negotiations with the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority for a catalytic converter grant (agenda item 32). Motion by Commissioner Reese, second by Commissioner Ramos. Outcome: approved (unanimous). Staff said the applied amount was approximately $180,266 with a local match of $36,054; numbers are tentative pending negotiation.

- Victim’s assistance grant resolution adopted: Motion to adopt a resolution to submit a grant application for the Victim’s Assistance Direct Services program for the County Attorney’s Office (agenda item 33). Motion by Commissioner Ramos, second by Commissioner Rios. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Hire deputy constable: Motion to hire Kevin Hernandez as a full-time paid deputy constable in the office of Constable Precinct 1 at $16.75 per hour with a six-month orientation period, effective Feb. 4, 2025 (agenda item 34). Motion by Commissioner Ramos, second by Commissioner Rios. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Appointment to TIF board: Motion to replace Geralt Trevino with Carla Masuka as the county appointee to the Eagle Pass/Maverick County Tax Increment Finance Zone No. 1 (agenda item 35). Motion by Commissioner Ramos, second by Commissioner Rios. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Lease matter referred to executive session: Item to execute a lease agreement for two suites at Maverick County Office Plaza (agenda item 37) was moved to executive session for legal review. No public action recorded in open session.

- Temporary compensation adjustment approved: Motion to approve a temporary hourly compensation adjustment for Annette Casillas while she serves as court coordinator during an FMLA leave (agenda item 38). Motion by Commissioner Ramos, second by Commissioner Rios. Approved for the FMLA period (12 weeks). Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- TimeClock Plus data addendum approved: Motion to approve a data processing addendum for TimeClock Plus (agenda item 39). Motion by Commissioner Ramos, second by Commissioner Rios. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- OLS contracts ratified: Motion to ratify updated contracts under Operation Lone Star grant number 4376304 and authorize grant staff to sign (agenda item 41). Motion by Commissioner Ramos, second by Commissioner Rios. Outcome: approved (unanimous); covered in separate article.

- County historical commission appointed: Motion to appoint Joe Cruz, Jeff Taylor (name corrected in agenda), and County Judge as ex officio to the Maverick County Historical Commission (agenda item 42). Motion by Commissioner Reese, second by Commissioner Rios. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Denton Navarro special counsel clarification approved: Motion to approve modification allowing Denton Navarro (special counsel) to hire outside professional services as needed under its existing contract (agenda item 43). Motion by Commissioner Ramos, second by Commissioner Rios. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- New DA legal assistant position funded by OLS: Motion to create a fund for a new district attorney legal assistant position with salary and fringe covered by OLS (agenda item 44). Motion by Commissioner Ramos, second by Commissioner Rios. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Elm Creek Park enhancements approved: Motion to proceed with enhancements to Elm Creek Park 1, including culvert, water lines, sprinkler system and ADA sidewalks (agenda item 47). Motion by Commissioner Ramos, second by Commissioner Rios. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- New assistant auditor position funded by OLS: Motion to create and fund a new assistant auditor position, fully covered by OLS (agenda item 48). Motion by Commissioner Ramos, second by Commissioner Rios. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Mailbox replacements via insurance for Deer Run: Motion to allow counsel to receive deposit and procure mailbox replacements for Precinct 3 (agenda item 50). Motion by Commissioner Ramos, second by Commissioner Grease. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Constable position for Precinct 2D discussed and moved to executive session: Item requesting analysis of legal steps to create a constable position for Precinct 2D at residents’ request (agenda item 51) was moved to executive session under attorney consultation; no open-session action recorded.

- Emergency evacuation bridge funding path added to hazard mitigation plan: Staff said Javalines Valdez (site) was added to the updated hazard mitigation plan so FEMA funding could be sought for an emergency bridge (agenda item 52). No separate vote recorded beyond staff discussion.

- Tree removal assistance approved: Motion to assist resident at 1047 Marissa Street with removal of a tree on private property and declare assistance a predominantly public purpose (agenda item 53). Motion by Commissioner Rios, second by Commissioner Reese. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Budget amendments and accounts payable: The court approved multiple budget amendments and the accounts payable warrants list as presented (agenda items 55–56). Motions by commissioners with unanimous approval.

Notes on votes and procedure

Most motions were passed by unanimous voice vote; the transcript records “all those in favor, unanimous.” Where the transcript recorded an item moved to executive session under Texas Government Code §551.071 or §551.072, the court did not take further open-session action on those items at this meeting.