Court approves fourth amendment to GOMESA‑funded Cope No Cove Ranch purchase agreement; county attorney review flagged

The Aransas County Commissioners Court approved a fourth amendment to a purchase and sale agreement related to the General Land Office (GLO) GOMESA Project of Special Merit titled "Cope No Cove Ranch acquisition," but the county attorney said key supporting documents had not been submitted for legal review.

County staff explained the extension would allow time for GLO review of completed survey and appraisal materials before requesting an advance of funds to complete the property acquisition. Staff also reported that a more detailed survey produced a change in the acreage calculation and that a quitclaim deed was being considered to resolve title issues with the seller; a county attorney in court said the county cannot use a quitclaim deed for the county’s acquisition.

The county attorney requested any grant‑funded contracts and paperwork be routed to his office as required by county grant policies. Commissioners discussed allowing the fourth amendment to proceed while deferring final contract approvals and the related HUD and GLO documents until after attorney review.

Why it matters: The amendment advances a state‑funded property acquisition under GOMESA that is contingent on GLO approval of appraisal and survey work. The county attorney warned that attached materials for execution had not been reviewed and urged caution before signing final acquisition papers.

Action and vote: The motion to approve the fourth amendment passed unanimously. Commissioners said when the final contract(s) are ready they will be routed to the county attorney’s office before signature.

Commissioners voting: Commissioner Cheney — Aye; Commissioner Castellan — Aye; Commissioner Russo — Aye; Commissioner Dupnik — Aye.