Cameron County court orders incorporation of Starbase, Texas after May election

The Cameron County Commissioners Court on May 20, 2025 entered an order incorporating the community of Starbase as a Type C general-law municipality effective May 2025, following an incorporation election held May 3 and canvassed May 12.

County Judge Eddie Trevino read the order and framed the action as a ministerial response to a successful petition and election. "I don't want to leave the public with the impression that, there is some kind of discretion with regards to either my office or this commissioner's court," Trevino said during remarks before reading the order.

The order records that a petition, notice and election were held in compliance with the Texas Local Government Code and states: "The community of Starbase in Cameron County, Texas shall be incorporated as a type C general law municipality effective as of May 2025." After a motion and second, the court voted to adopt the order; the clerk recorded the motion as approved.

The court took the incorporation action after a public-comment period that included speakers who urged the court to challenge the election. Dr. Christopher Baseldu told the court the vote was "illegitimate," arguing that fewer than 300 individuals outside the community had determined governance for a larger area and raising environmental and indigenous-rights concerns. "It is sacred land of the original people, and SpaceX doesn't care about that," Baseldu said. Josette Angelique Inahosa echoed those points and asked county leaders to oppose the incorporation and advocate for the community.

Judge Trevino responded that the county's role is to verify statutory requirements for incorporation and to administer elections for the qualified voters in the petition area. He said the county's review confirmed the petition and election met the statutory steps required under the Texas Local Government Code and that the court was following state law in entering the order.

The court's action was procedural: the order was placed in the minutes and recorded as effective on the date entered. Commissioners who voted in favor were recorded as supporting the order; no roll-call opposition was recorded in the minutes.

The court concluded by offering congratulations to the newly incorporated city and its incoming officials and said staff would work with the new city government where appropriate.

Proponents of judicial or administrative review of the incorporation could pursue remedies allowed by state law; during the meeting legal staff and the judge noted the statutory process for petitions and incorporation is prescribed under state statute.