Texas A&M AgriLife Extension staff on Tuesday introduced the agency’s recommended candidate to fill Cameron County’s coastal marine agent position and requested the commissioners court ratify the hire so the candidate can begin work without delay.

Ruben Saldani, district administrator for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, told the court the position — previously held by Tony (last name not provided) — was reposted internally for budgetary reasons and that a strong internal candidate applied. He said the candidate made a presentation to local staff and, with court approval, the candidate’s first day would be recorded as the meeting date; the county payroll start date would be Feb. 13, 2025, while AgriLife covers the first month.

Saldani said the agency had limited ability to post the vacancy externally because of budget constraints and therefore used an internal posting; he described the candidate as having relevant academic training, experience in marine biology and oil-spill response and as a master naturalist. The candidate — introduced at the meeting as Sarah — stood briefly and was welcomed by the court.

Court members and staff discussed the proper process for formal appointment. County legal and human-resources staff suggested options: the court could ratify the hire at the next public meeting or handle it as a personnel matter in executive session and then ratify the appointment. Commissioners noted concern that if the court delayed final action the candidate could not be brought back onto county payroll until June, and asked staff to bring back a ratification item or otherwise resolve the administrative step quickly.

No final ratification vote occurred during the public presentation. County staff said they will return with an appropriate action item (or process under executive-session personnel procedures) so the candidate’s county hire can be retroactive to the date the county and AgriLife agreed, if that is the court’s direction.

Ruben Saldani: “If you look at her resume, she’s … she’s worked as a marine biologist, environmental specialist … and she has training in oil spills. Hope we never need that. But it’s nice to have those kinds of experiences here.”