Atascosa County Commissioners Court met Nov. 24 and approved a series of routine personnel, procurement and permitting actions while postponing direct action on the tax office construction project after an executive session.

During public comments, Betsy Spencer, chief operations officer of Holtz Adams Construction and Consulting LLC, said the firm — the county's general contractor for the tax office addition — had delivered a certificate of substantial completion for the original scope on Nov. 18 and asked the court for a fair resolution in upcoming behind‑closed‑doors deliberations. "It is our sincere hope that you will reach a resolution that is fair and beneficial to all parties involved," Spencer said.

The court accepted an in‑kind equipment grant from ACOG for the Alamo Area Radio Interoperability Network valued at $50,100. Mike Ponza, who presented the item, said the grant will provide resilient equipment to the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office but warned the county will be responsible for costs if equipment is lost, damaged or requires integration software. "What I recommend that the court do is that they accept the grant equipment and the amount of $50,100," Ponza said. The motion to accept the grant carried.

Sheriff Garrett won approval to purchase an upgraded Guard 1 inmate‑tracking system at a one‑time cost of $27,231.74 to be paid from the sheriff’s commissary account; the sheriff told the court the recurring annual cost of $6,671.16 will be built into the 2027 jail capital outlay budget. "This morning, the count was 221, so we're doing good," the sheriff said as he described the need for interlocal housing agreements and capacity planning.

The court approved multiple personnel actions from the district attorney’s office, including longevity and salary updates for existing assistant district attorneys (Mark Laddette, Kenny Lamb and Catherine Schneider). Several sheriff’s office hires were also approved to address increased female inmate populations and to replace departing deputies, including appointments for Rebecca Castillo, Lizzie Tapia and Emilia Cabezas with specified pay tiers and probationary periods.

The court handled a cluster of right‑of‑way and road‑bore permits — many from Frontier Communications — in omnibus motions, approving multiple crossings and road‑bore permits across precincts. Rural Development staff presented additional routine approvals: release of a construction bond for the Estates of Waycross subdivision and several family lot certificate exceptions and two road‑bore permits for Murphy Oil Corporation after an emergency line break in Precinct 3.

Tabitha Garza asked the court to authorize solicitation of sealed bids for the El Oso Water Supply Corporation water‑plant improvements (Texas CDBG grant CDV23‑227). The motion to solicit bids passed, with Commissioner Riley recorded as abstaining.

The court recessed into executive session under Texas Government Code sections 551.071 and 551.072 to discuss the tax office construction project and an RFQ for appraisal services and land‑acquisition options for the River Oaks Drive project. After returning to open session the court took no action on the tax office construction item. Commissioner Bowen moved and Commissioner Pavelic seconded approval of the RFQ and authorized the county attorney, Precinct 3 commissioner and the county judge to pursue land‑purchase discussions and to allow the county judge to send a letter of intent; that motion carried with Commissioner Riley abstaining.

Other routine business included authorization to begin negotiating a joint primary election services contract with county party chairs, enrollment in the Texas County cybersecurity awareness training program for 2026 at $5 per user, the renewals of a Nationwide 457(b) plan and the county retirement plan for 2026 (no changes), approval of interlocal agreements with Wilson and Live Oak counties for prisoner housing contingency and several payroll and invoice runs.

The court set its next regular meeting for Dec. 8, 2025, reviewed the 2026 meeting calendar and approved the 2026 holiday schedule. Commissioners offered Thanksgiving remarks and the court adjourned at 10:43 a.m.

Votes at a glance
- Accept ACOG equipment grant for Alamo Area Radio Interoperability Network — Approved (unanimous).
- Renew Guard 1 inmate tracking system ($27,231.74 one‑time, $6,671.16 annual) — Approved (unanimous).
- Approve RFQ and authorize letter of intent for River Oaks Drive land acquisition — Approved 3 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain (Commissioner Riley abstained).
- Authorize CDBG sealed‑bid solicitation for El Oso Water Supply plant improvements — Approved; Commissioner Riley abstained.
- Personnel approvals for DA and sheriff’s office hires and salary adjustments — Approved (unanimous unless noted above).

What happens next
The court did not decide the tax office construction agenda item in open session; the judge invited parties to meet with the county attorney after the meeting. The RFQ for appraisal and land‑acquisition options for River Oaks Drive will move forward per the court’s authorization.