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San Patricio County court backs Coastal Bend Water Alliance, seeks added port representation
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Summary
The San Patricio County Commissioners Court unanimously adopted a resolution committing the county to the Coastal Bend Water Alliance and approved language seeking expansion of the Port of Corpus Christi commission to add seats for the Coastal Bend region.
San Patricio County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to adopt a resolution declaring the county's commitment to the Coastal Bend Water Alliance and asked the Texas Legislature to expand the Port of Corpus Christi commission to add seats for the Coastal Bend region.
The resolution, presented with supporting remarks from Chad McGill, district liaison for Sen. Adam Hinojosa (D‑27), affirms the county’s intent to coordinate regionally on long‑term water supply projects and pursue funding and planning for desalination, interbasin transfers and groundwater storage. "By joining the Coastal Bend Water Alliance, you're taking a bold and proactive step to ensure that every citizen, business and industry in San Patricio County has access to reliable long term water supply," McGill said.
Judge Krebs and several commissioners said they had negotiated removal of a separate provision that would have tied the alliance to appointments on the Port of Corpus Christi commission. The judge explained the court would only support the alliance after the port‑appointment language was removed; county officials said Senator Hinojosa’s office agreed to that change. The court also adopted language urging the Legislature to expand the Port of Corpus Christi commission from seven to nine members consistent with Representative J.M. Lozano’s bill cited in court; the court said the additional seats would be used to seek representation from Ingleside or Aransas Pass and from the county’s west side agricultural interests if succesful.
Commissioners framed the resolution as a step to present a unified regional voice in Austin when state funding decisions are made. "Showing up as a region and supporting each other's projects ... you get a greater fair share of the resources from the state," McGill said, noting active legislation before the Legislature regarding water funding.
The motion to adopt the resolution carried unanimously. The court recorded no amendments to the resolution during the vote; commissioners said further discussion of specific port appointments would happen later if legislative changes occur.
The court’s action follows San Patricio County's participation in a regional delegation trip to Austin earlier in the week, where officials said they discussed water funding, state fuel tax concerns and countywide voting rules.
The resolution does not create a new county agency or require county funding; court members emphasized the alliance is an intergovernmental commitment rather than a new bureaucratic entity.
Looking ahead, commissioners said alliance meetings are expected after the legislative session; no meeting schedule was set at the hearing.
