Court approves interlocal with Starbase, Texas for Boca Chica dune protection; vote subject to final legal review

The Cameron County Commissioners Court voted to authorize an interlocal cooperation agreement with the City of Starbase, Texas, to collaborate on cleaning, dune protection, renourishment, permitting and related beachfront activities at Boca Chica Beach; the approval was made subject to final legal review.

Jordan Buss, a commissioner with the City of Starbase, presented on behalf of the city and described high rates of shoreline retreat and dune thinning at Boca Chica Beach. Buss said the city seeks to partner with Cameron County and the Texas General Land Office (GLO) to restore dunes, pursue funding and expand cleanup and restoration activities. He cited beach-erosion figures and recent large volunteer cleanups organized by Starbase.

County commissioners asked detailed questions about jurisdictional authority, dune protection plans and coordination with existing county and state programs. One commissioner expressed concern about ceding control or overlapping authority with long-standing county and regional partners and asked for assurances the arrangement would not be competitive or diminish county control; the Starbase presenter said the goal is to “expand the pie” of available funding and to collaborate, not compete, and described letters of support from Sea Turtle Inc., the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation.

Legal counsel advised the court that several legal issues related to the interlocal—and two related executive‑session items—would be addressed in closed session prior to finalization. After executive session the court returned to open session and approved the interlocal agreement subject to final legal review; commissioners amended the motion to require legal review before the agreement becomes effective. The court’s vote was by voice; one commissioner recorded a public intent to seek further legal answers and noted a “nay” during an earlier voice count but the motion ultimately carried with the amendment to require legal signoff.

The item also referenced Texas Natural Resources Code section 63.011(b) (the “dune protection” statutory authority cited in the presentation) and the county’s existing dune-protection work; staff said the interlocal would be executed in a way that preserves cooperation with GLO and other agencies. The court directed staff and legal to finalize the agreement language and return the final, legally reviewed document for implementation.