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Atascosa County Commissioners approve salary orders, personnel moves, interlocal agreements and DRG invoices
Summary
The commissioners approved court-reporter and auditor salary orders, multiple personnel hires and promotions, interlocal agreements with Evergreen and ACOG, several DRG Architects invoices and a DRG contract tied to a USDA grant; a pay correction for a juvenile detention chief was approved after executive session.
Atascosa County's commissioners on Nov. 25 approved multiple administrative and operational items including salary orders, personnel actions, interlocal agreements, and contract draws.
Salaries and orders: The court accepted orders arising from public hearings on Nov. 13 that set the annual salary for the district court reporters at $120,000 with Atascosa County's share listed at $42,444 (effective Jan. 1, 2025). The judges' order setting the county auditor's salary was also adopted: county auditor $95,000; first assistant $62,500; and assistants at $48,500 (all effective Jan. 1, 2025). The orders were presented by Margaret Littleton and were approved by voice vote.
Personnel: The court approved several hires and adjustments. Victoria Navarro was hired as a part-time EMT/PRN (start date 12/08/2024; $15/hr); staff noted Navarro is in paramedic school and expected to move into a paramedic PRN role after completion. Corrections hires and adjustments included Alfonso Solis (move to tier 1 pay, one-year agency probation), Dan Garza (moved to corrections officer tier 1 at $51,000 annually effective 11/25/2024), and Bridal Gonzales (move to tier 2 at $40,900 annually with standard probation periods). Commissioners discussed rehire timing relative to TCDRS retirement rules and confirmed effective dates to align with pension eligibility.
Land use exceptions: The court approved three family certificate exceptions (Mendiola Lane, Bruce Road and Bridal Road D92) after staff reported the applicants met program requirements.
Interlocal agreements: The court voted to enter an interlocal agreement with the Evergreen Water Ground Water Conservation District to access environmental investigative services (Mr. Broccoli) to assist on matters such as suspected illegal drilling and complex investigations; approval was pending county attorney review. The court also approved a requested schedule change for the Cowboy Connect fixed route operated through the Alamo Area Council of Governments (ACOG) at Pleasanton's request.
DRG invoices and USDA project: The court approved DRG Architects invoice #1925 for the medical examiner's building and invoice #1926 (bringing the project payment up to date) pending committee confirmation. Invoice #1927 for architectural services related to the Sheriff's Office addition was also approved. The court authorized the county judge to sign a contract with DRG for services tied to a USDA Rural Development Community Facilities grant application (roughly $500,000 in federal grant funds from Congressman Cuellar's office was cited); DRG agreed not to bill the county if the grant application failed.
Executive session and pay correction: The court entered executive session and returned with no action taken in executive session. After returning, the court approved a post-session motion to correct the pay of Timothy Gutierrez, head of juvenile detention, to $73,000 annually effective 11/25/2024.
Invoices and payroll: All invoices and payroll presented were approved.
Next meeting: The next commissioners court meeting was set for Dec. 9, 2024.
Why it matters: The votes set multiple personnel and budgetary baselines (salaries and contract draws) that affect county operations and future capital projects. The DRG/USDA item positions the county to pursue grant funding for a new EMS facility in Pleasanton if the federal grant is awarded.
