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Contractor presses county over tax office construction as commissioners authorize RFQ for River Oaks land
Summary
A contractor for Atascosa County's tax office raised concerns about final scope and a certificate of substantial completion; commissioners held an executive session, took no action on the construction item, and approved an RFQ for appraisal services and authorization to pursue a letter of intent for River Oaks Drive land acquisition.
Betsy Spencer, chief operations officer of Holtz Adams Construction and Consulting LLC, told the Atascosa County Commissioners Court during public comment that her firm had delivered paperwork requested by county staff and received a certificate of substantial completion for the original scope of work on Nov. 18.
"It is our sincere hope that you will reach a resolution that is fair and beneficial to all parties involved," Spencer said, adding that she and CEO Steve Ritchie were available to answer questions.
The court went into executive session to consult with counsel and deliberate on real property related to the tax office construction and an RFQ for appraisal services tied to the River Oaks Drive project. When the court returned to open session, the judge said no action would be taken on the tax office construction item and invited parties to meet with the county attorney afterward. The court did, however, approve an RFQ for appraisal services and authorized the County Judge to pursue discussions and, if appropriate, send a letter of intent for land acquisition connected to the River Oaks Drive project; one commissioner registered an abstention on that motion.
The RFQ approval was presented as a step to satisfy grant requirements for the River Oaks Drive project. Commissioners characterized the RFQ motion as procedural authorization to proceed with appraisal options and potential land negotiations, not as a final land purchase decision. The court's public record shows no formal settlement, contract award, or change order for the tax office construction was adopted at the meeting.
Next steps recorded in open session: staff may continue meetings with the county attorney and the parties involved in the tax office construction outside the formal meeting, and county staff will proceed with the approved RFQ and related outreach for River Oaks Drive appraisal and acquisition work.
The court's action did not list a dollar figure for land or an explicit timeline for a purchase; those details were not specified during the meeting.
