Commissioners back Pearsall sidewalk grant; approve wide slate of routine county actions

Frio County Commissioners Court on June 10 approved a letter of support for the City of Pearsall’s 2025 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) application to the Texas Department of Transportation and handled a broad set of routine procurement, permitting and budget items.

The county voted to back Pearsall’s application, which seeks funding for approximately 5,200 linear feet of 6-foot-wide concrete sidewalks connecting downtown Pearsall, the Pearsall Public Library and several school campuses. Miranda Moran, assistant city manager for Pearsall, and City Manager Fred Reyes presented the project and asked the court for a county letter of support; commissioners approved the request by motion.

“We would ask that the county commissioners consider submitting a letter of support supporting this application,” Moran said; Pearsall representatives said TxDOT has agreed to be a project sponsor for engineering and environmental work.

Votes at a glance (motions, movers/seconders and outcomes recorded in court minutes):

- Adopt agenda with removal of action agenda item 6 — motion by Commissioner Martinez; second by Commissioner Carrizales; outcome: passed.

- Item 1 — Approve Pearsall letter of support for 2025 TxDOT Transportation Alternatives application (approx. $1 million project; ~5,200 linear feet of 6-foot sidewalk, ADA ramps, signage) — motion by Commissioner Martinez; second by Commissioner Veil; outcome: passed.

- Item 2 — Approve purchase of tires (Southern Tire Mart) for unit 0127, $5,331.24 — motion by Commissioner Martinez; second by Commissioner Connell; outcome: passed.

- Item 3 — Approve purchase of tracks (Holtcat) for unit 0153, $5,392.96 — motion by Commissioner Martinez; second by Commissioner Carrizales; outcome: passed.

- Items 4 and 5 — Approve temporary waterline permits for Formentra Operations LLC (4-inch lay-flat) and Select Water Solutions LLC (12-inch lay-flat) on county roads; permit fees $150 each — motions by Commissioner Connell; seconds recorded; outcomes: passed.

- Item 7 — Run sealed RFP ad for [unspecified procurement] on June 5 and June 12; open/selection June 24 — motion by Commissioner Martinez; second by Commissioner Carrizales; outcome: passed.

- Item 8 — Approve purchase of fingerprint time clock for Dilley Annex (TimePlus), $2,811.78 (to be submitted for insurance reimbursement) — motion by Commissioner Cano; second by Commissioner Martinez; outcome: passed.

- Item 9 — Approve Texas Association of Counties property coverage for FY 2025–26, $88,890 (increase of $13,560 from prior year) — motion by Commissioner Martinez; second by Commissioner McConnell; outcome: passed.

- Item 10 — Approve access control and alarm system for Dilley Annex (Security101), $14,489.36 — motion by Commissioner Connell; second by Commissioner Martinez; outcome: passed.

- Item 11 — Approve contract-terms acknowledgment for a mobile license-plate-reader (grant-funded); authorized signing — motion by Commissioner O'Connell; second by Commissioner Martinez; outcome: passed.

- Item 12 — Run public auction notice (online auction June 23–July 7) for surplus county property, including a Dilley trailer — motion by Commissioner Cano; second by Commissioner Martinez; outcome: passed.

- Item 13 — Approve design and construction documents from DRG Architects for the Frio County Justice Annex / Justice Annex building — motion by Commissioner Martinez; second by Commissioner Gano; outcome: passed.

- Item 14 — Run notice for competitive sealed proposals for Justice Annex construction; publication and bid schedule set — motion by Commissioner Martinez; second by Commissioner McDonald; outcome: passed.

- Items 15 and 16 — Approve LED streetlights with American Electric Power (AEP) on Chaparral Road and County Road 1515 (Moore) — motions by Commissioner Martinez; seconds by Commissioner Connell; outcomes: passed.

- Items 17 and 18 — Budget amendments: transfer $10,379 within elections budget to cover extended-warranty overrun; transfer $628 from fund balance to veterans donation expense (unspent prior-year receipts) — motions and seconds recorded; outcomes: passed.

- Item 19 — Rescind the county burn ban effective 06/10/2025 (staff noted fire-index numbers have declined but could rise; commissioners requested discussion at the next meeting if conditions change) — motion by Commissioner Connell; second by Commissioner Martinez; outcome: passed.

- Item 20.2 — After an executive session, the court authorized county legal counsel to proceed with settlement of construction-related claims involving Sandoval Contracting, Ono Contracting and related sureties; authorized the precinct 3 commissioner to sign settlement documents — motion by Commissioner Martinez; second by Commissioner Connell; outcome: passed.

- Items 21–22 — County financial reports and mandated departmental reports were presented and the court approved publication of the treasurer’s report and accepted departmental reports (except constable precinct 1, which was not submitted) — motions recorded; outcomes: passed.

- Allow bills payable and include proposed utility accounts — motion by Commissioner Connell; second by Commissioner Martinez; outcome: passed.

Why it matters: The Pearsall TAP support links county-level planning to a TxDOT-funded sidewalk project intended to improve pedestrian safety and school access. The other approvals are routine county business — purchases, permits, contract notices, and budget adjustments — but together they move capital projects and operations forward.

What commissioners said: Pearsall officials noted TxDOT agreed to serve as a project sponsor for engineering and environmental studies; county commissioners approved the letter of support and voted on the listed items during the meeting.

Next steps: Pearsall will submit its final TAP application (deadline June 20); the county will publish required reports and proceed with the procurement and construction notices approved at the meeting.