Hidalgo County Commissioners Court on Tuesday set public hearings for the proposed formation of Emergency Services District No. 5 and Emergency Services District No. 6 and approved a series of grant applications, budget actions and proclamations.

The court voted to call a public hearing for both proposed districts for Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, following a presentation from Isaac Solana of the county judge’s office, who said the petitions had been reviewed as to form and filed with the county clerk. “We recommend approval,” Solana told the court before commissioners voted in favor of setting the hearings.

Why it matters: forming an emergency services district can enable a defined area to levy taxes or fees and contract for emergency services (ambulance, fire or EMS). The court also approved engaging special outside counsel, Kovler & Peeler, to assist with legal work related to integrating and coordinating multiple ESDs. During public comment, Fern McClarty asked why the county is considering six ESDs; staff replied the districts are organized by geographic sectors rather than commissioner precincts, which is why the petition count differs from precinct boundaries.

Grants and budgets: the court approved multiple grant actions with brief staff presentations and largely voice votes. Actions included authorization to submit a FY26 Criminal Justice grant application and to apply for State Homeland Security grants; approvals to apply for and accept Operation Stonegarden grant funding through the Governor’s Office for the sheriff and various constable offices; and acceptance of multiple State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program awards (several awards and interfund transfers for required cash matches were recorded). The court approved a payment of the county’s fiscal-year 2025 local match to Tropical Texas Behavioral Health for mental-health services, listed in the meeting as $1,520,359, and an additional payment for psychiatric emergency crisis services listed as $258,796.

Proclamations and community partners: commissioners proclaimed January 2025 as Mental Wellness Month and as National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Monica Rodriguez of Tropical Texas Behavioral Health accepted the mental wellness proclamation and introduced student representative Melanie Andara of Edinburg North High School, who told the court: “Mental health awareness ... is a good thing because it can have a big impact on someone’s life and it’s just important to spread kindness overall.” Task-force representatives accepting the human trafficking proclamation emphasized prevention and interagency cooperation.

Other actions: the court authorized the county to enter several contracts and procurements, including a construction award for Progreso street improvements to Elite Grading and Dating LLC (bid listed at $660,076.55 using Urban County funds) and authorization to purchase IT and electrical systems for the Hidalgo County Juvenile Mental Health Facility from JSA Rodriguez dba Telecommunication, listed as $507,890.75. The court also approved a dealer deputy agreement for the tax office (Clark Knapp Motor Company) and a number of personnel and budget amendments, appointments and internship approvals across county offices.

Public comment: during open forum Fern McClarty criticized rising property taxes and questioned county spending priorities, citing concerns about a proposed multistory parking facility and tax burdens on residents; the court did not take immediate action on those remarks.

Votes at a glance (selected agenda items; voice votes unless noted):
- Agenda item 7a (ESD No. 5 public hearing; agenda 97905) — Motion to set public hearing for Feb. 4, 2025 — Approved (aye).
- Agenda item 7b (ESD No. 6 public hearing; agenda 97905) — Motion to set public hearing for Feb. 4, 2025 — Approved (aye).
- Approval to submit FY26 Criminal Justice Grant application — Approved (aye).
- Approval to submit State Homeland Security Grant application(s) — Approved (aye).
- Operation Stonegarden grant application/authorization for sheriff and participating constable offices — Approved (aye).
- Acceptance of State & Local Cybersecurity Grant Program awards (multiple awards and associated interfund transfers for cash match totaling several awards, listed in meeting as $75,852; $124,843.95; $10,088.55; $44,856.63) — Approved (aye).
- Payment: county allocation local match to Tropical Texas Behavioral Health — Approved (aye); amount listed at $1,520,359 (for FY2025 local match).
- Payment: county allocation for psychiatric emergency crisis services — Approved (aye); amount listed at $258,796.
- Proclamation: January 2025 declared Mental Wellness Month — Approved (aye).
- Proclamation: January 2025 declared National Human Trafficking Awareness Month — Approved (aye).
- Approval of engagement letter and fee schedule with Kovler & Peeler for special legal counsel on ESD integration — Approved (aye).
- Urban County award: construction contract with Elite Grading and Dating LLC for Progreso Street improvements ($660,076.55) — Approved (aye).
- Authorization to purchase and install IT/electrical systems for Hidalgo County Juvenile Mental Health Facility (JSA Rodriguez dba Telecommunication) — Approved (aye); amount listed at $507,890.75.

What the court directed next: staff were instructed to provide required notices for the ESD public hearings. The court confirmed its next sessions for Jan. 21 (morning session) and Jan. 28 (afternoon session) to return the commission to its regular payroll schedule.

Reporting note: most approvals were voice votes recorded as “aye.” When a commissioner abstained on an item the record notes the abstention; the transcript specified some abstentions on consent items (for example, commissioners were recorded abstaining on certain consent items earlier in the agenda). The court recorded no final ordinance adoptions or changes to a county code during this session.