Commissioners, drainage board approve dozens of routine contracts, payments and grants; easement condemnation resolution cleared

Hidalgo County Commissioners Court and the Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 approved a series of routine but legally required actions Wednesday, including contractor payment applications, supplemental engineering agreements, grants, and a resolution authorizing acquisition of easements and rights of way related to drainage work.

The Drainage District approved a resolution “recognizing the necessity of required easements or rights of way or fee title in connection with the construction of the Mile 6 outfalls” and authorized acquisition “by condemnation, eminent domain or otherwise,” as read into the record by staff; the motion passed on an aye vote. Several payments and work authorizations tied to county drainage and roadway projects were also approved during the meeting.

Why it matters: The approvals finance ongoing construction and engineering work across Hidalgo County’s bond-funded drainage and road programs and clear legal steps for property acquisitions tied to flood-control infrastructure.

Key approvals and outcomes

- Resolution (Drainage District): Approval to recognize necessity and authorize acquisition of easements/rights of way or fee title for Mile 6 outfalls; motion passed (aye).

- Payment applications approved (selected items recorded on the agenda): NM Contractors — Payment No. 7 for $153,280.56 (HCDD1 contract CHCDD1-23076-0305); Onuak Infrastructure — Payment No. 2 for $77,738.76 (CHCDD1-240460924); RBM Contractors — Payment No. 15 for $43,228.75 (CHCDD1-230140426); Morewell LLC — Payment No. 9 for $103,008.60 (CHCDD1-22-0601129); Morrill LLC — Payment No. 10 for $1,173,577.56…