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San Patricio County commissioners deny I‑69 Alliance funding, approve disaster relief support and retirement change
Summary
Commissioners voted 5–1 to deny a funding request from the I‑69 Alliance, approved $10,000 to the Coastal Bend Disaster Recovery Group, and changed county retirement vesting from 10 to 8 years while discussing a 4% COLA to offset rising health premiums.
San Patricio County commissioners on Aug. 4 voted to deny a funding request from the I‑69 Alliance, approved $10,000 for the Coastal Bend Disaster Recovery Group and adopted a change to the county retirement vesting schedule while discussing a proposed 4% cost‑of‑living adjustment for employees.
The denial of I‑69 Alliance funding came on a motion by Commissioner William Sikorsky Sr., seconded by Commissioner Gonzales; commissioners recorded five votes in favor and one opposed. Commissioners debated whether continued membership and modest annual dues to the Alliance produce measurable benefits for the county, with at least one commissioner saying the county receives little tangible return for the money it has paid over the years.
The commission voted to give $10,000 for fiscal year 2026 to the Coastal Bend Disaster Recovery Group. Commissioner Gonzales moved the Coastal Bend item and Commissioner Gillespie seconded; the motion passed without recorded opposition. County officials said the group provided recovery work after Hurricane Harvey and maintains capacity between disasters.
On retirement benefits, the court approved changing the county's vesting period for the Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS) plan from 10 years to 8 years. County staff told the court the change will increase the county contribution rate from about 10.69% to 11.25% and cost the county just under $180,000 annually. Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the change.
County staff presented proposed changes to employee health insurance premiums and a potential pay adjustment to offset those increases. The staff recommendation for 2026 included premium increases of $3 per month for employee‑only coverage, $95 per month for employee‑spouse, $68 per month for employee‑children, and $112 per month for family coverage. The judge and auditor discussed a 4% COLA as an option to offset higher employee costs; county leaders said they intend to bring formal rate adoption and any COLA decision back to the court next week as part of the budget adoption timeline.
Tax assessor‑collector staff updated the court on property values and litigation that will affect the county's truth‑in‑taxation calculations. The assessor reported roughly $580 million in property value is currently in dispute with the appraisal district and said those contested values have altered preliminary rate calculations. Staff said formal proposals on the county's 2025 tax rate will appear on the court agenda next week.
Other business at the meeting included routine approvals: minutes, payment of county bills and several budget line‑item transfers. County staff and department heads also presented updates on animal control, road repairs and pending grant initiatives for farmers and ranchers.
The court directed staff to place the insurance‑rate and COLA items on next week's agenda for formal action and to post related worksheets on the county website so the public can review the tax and budget materials ahead of any vote.
