Court defers decision on cybersecurity grant project director after debate over expertise and responsiveness

Maverick County Commissioners Court debated on Feb. 10 whether to replace Armando Gonzalez as the project director for the FY25 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program with Isaac Reese, and the court moved the item into executive session without making a final appointment.

The dispute centered on two recurring concerns: the county grant administrator and some commissioners said the project director should be a single, responsive point of contact who can answer state grant administrators quickly; opponents said the role requires subject‑matter expertise in cybersecurity and that the county’s information‑technology unit, not the proposed designee, should serve as the project director.

Why it matters: Project‑director designation affects who the state or federal grant manager will contact for deadlines, budget amendments and compliance. Miscommunication or delayed responses can put grant funding at risk.

What was said

- Commissioner Isaac Reese (proponent of changing the designation): He argued the project director must be a reachable, responsive contact who can resolve eGrants questions and process budget amendments quickly. Reese said prior incidents showed the need for a consistent point of contact to avoid missed deadlines.

- An objection from county staff and other speakers: A county speaker questioned whether Mr. Reese had the technical expertise needed if an actual cyber incident occurred, saying, “Does mister Isaac have the sufficient knowledge to respond to it?” (as recorded in the meeting). Another staff member said cybersecurity professionals — typically IT staff — should be first responders for incidents.

- Jose Sarmiento (present in the record): Sarmiento said he had sent emails to the prior appointee, Armando Gonzalez, seeking certifications and had not received timely responses; he supplied emails to the court as part of his objection to leaving the prior arrangement in place.

- Grant management viewpoint: The record cites Michael Camarillo, Public Safety Director at the Middle Rio Grande Development Council, as recommending that the project director be someone who responds quickly to grant manager contacts.

After extended discussion about communication failures and whether technical knowledge or responsiveness is the higher priority for the role, the court voted to move the item into executive session under Texas Government Code §551.071 for consultation with the county attorney. No final appointment was recorded in open session.

Next steps: County staff and legal counsel will discuss the appointment in executive session; the matter will return to open session if and when legal guidance and a recommendation are ready.