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Commissioners approve joint resolution to continue 290th Judicial District; some express concerns about costs and grants
Summary
Dimmit County commissioners voted to support continuation of a 290th Judicial District serving Dimmit and a neighboring county, with commissioners split over startup costs and the reliability of grant funding.
The Dimmit County Commissioner's Court voted to approve a joint resolution to request continuation of the 290th Judicial District serving Dimmit County and the neighboring county on April 14, advancing a measure that generated extended discussion about start-up costs and grant reliability.
Commissioners heard a staff report estimating county contributions and projected start-up budgets for a local district attorney's office. Staff said Dimmit County currently contributes $210,000 to the joint district and that the state funding formula under SB 22 would provide roughly $175,000 based on population; additional grant funding referenced included amounts tied to a Border Prosecution Unit (BPU) and other grants. Staff summarized that, depending on which grants are counted, total available funding could range substantially and offered an estimated approximate remainder of $813,500 after listed start-up expenses.
Opponents and some commissioners raised concerns about relying on grants that may not be permanent. The sheriff and several commissioners pressed for clarity on how a local office might affect case processing speed and ongoing costs to the county. One commissioner said, “we can't depend on these grants,” and another said the county needs a clear year-one operating estimate separate from grant assumptions. Commissioners also asked whether Maverick County or other jurisdictions would use county infrastructure; staff said each county would have its own office and that the governor would appoint a district attorney if state law required appointment rather than election.
After debate, the court approved the joint resolution by voice vote; the clerk announced “I have 3 ayes and 2 opposed.” The motion was made by Commissioner Phil Munoz and seconded by Commissioner Pineda. The court recorded the action as approval of a joint resolution to request continuation of the 290th Judicial District with the understanding that start-up and operating costs require further clarification.
Court members asked staff to provide more detailed, itemized cost estimates showing the county’s potential fiscal exposure if some grants are not available and to track any equipment or grant-funded assets that would transfer with a new district office. No immediate operational changes were imposed by the court; the resolution is a formal request to continue the district structure.
