Uvalde County accepts $2.339 million prosecution grant to fund border-related investigations

Uvalde County Commissioners on Nov. 10 voted to accept a $2,339,000 award from the governor's "Board of Prosecution Unit" grant program, a two-year award that county staff said will fund prosecutors, investigators and support positions focused on border-related crimes.

Paul Esher, county staff presenting the item, said the grant runs from Sept. 1, 2025, through Aug. 31, 2027, requires no local match because of Uvalde County's proximity to the border, and will fund multiple prosecutors, investigators and related expenses. "The award amount is in the amount of $2,339,000," Esher said during the presentation.

During public comment, Diane Carreaux, a resident who identified herself as a taxpayer, said she welcomed outside resources but worried about long-term costs if the grant is later reduced or eliminated. "At some point we have to say enough is enough," Carreaux said, urging the court to plan for what would happen to positions if funding ends.

The court voted to accept the grant by voice vote. County staff did not present a detailed long-term staffing or sunset plan during the meeting; commissioners approved acceptance of the award and recorded the action in the minutes.

Next steps: acceptance places the grant on the county record and allows staff to onboard positions and begin using awarded funds under the grant's terms; the court did not adopt a local contingency plan at this meeting for sustaining positions if state funding ends.