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Atascosa County judge outlines budget restraint, water needs, ASTEC revival and plans for regional medical examiner
Summary
Atascosa County Judge delivered the second annual State of the County on Oct. 24, reporting a sub-1% budget increase for 2025, plans for a regional water pipeline and desalination linkage, reinstatement of the county's economic development corporation (ASTEC) and $10.5 million in state funding toward a regional medical examiner facility; a public commenter raised jail accessibility concerns.
Atascosa County Judge Coode delivered the county's second annual State of the County address on Oct. 24, telling a full courtroom that the county's 2025 budget will rise by "point 72%" (described in his remarks as "less than 1%") while the county sets aside operating funds for a future regional medical examiner facility that received roughly $10.5 million in state support. He framed the fiscal choices as part of a broader push to protect services while pursuing economic growth.
Why it matters: County officials said the county reduced total debt from about $23 million to $17 million over five years and will use cash reserves rather than new borrowing to fund recent facility work. Officials tied infrastructure and workforce initiatives — including courthouse accessibility upgrades, a new fiber ring, youth internships and a revived Atascosa County Economic Development Corporation (ASTEC) — to efforts aimed at recruiting employers and supporting local services.
Judge Coode highlighted regional water concerns and potential projects that could affect…
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