Brewster County commissioners approve election order, seek new auditor and set budget and tax-rate hearings

Brewster County Commissioners Court on Aug. 13 approved a series of administrative and financial items, including an Order of Election for the November general election, a request for qualifications for a new outside auditor and scheduling public hearings on the county's FY2025 budget and the proposed 2024 tax rate.

County Judge Greg P. Henington opened the meeting at 9:32 a.m. in the Brewster County Courthouse chamber in Alpine and led the invocation and pledges. The court unanimously approved minutes from its July 23 and July 30 meetings (motion by Commissioner Ruben Ortega, seconded by Commissioner Sara Colando, vote 5-0).

Mary Bell Lockhart, chair of the Brewster County Democratic Party, and Monica McBride, chair of the Brewster County Republican Party, presented the Order of Election and a slate of election and alternate judges for the term Sept. 1, 2024, through Aug. 31, 2025. Commissioner Ortega moved to approve the Order of Election and the judges; both motions passed 5-0.

Judge Henington told the court that the county is evaluating replacing its current accounting software, NetData, with AcuView and that a final decision will be placed on the September agenda.

The court voted 5-0 to issue a request for qualifications and proposals for outside audit services after Judge Henington described difficulties with the county's current auditor, GRP, citing delays completing the FY2021 audit and GRP's statement that it would not continue the FY2022 audit until February 2025. Commissioner Mo Morrow moved to issue the RFQ; Commissioner Ruben Ortega seconded. The court also voted 5-0 to grant an exemption from competitive bidding for outside audit services under LGC 262.024(a)(4) (motion by Commissioner Morrow, seconded by Commissioner Ortega).

Aaron Rodriguez, president of the Alpine Emergency Services Board, presented two open AESB seats. Karla Spencer interviewed for and was appointed to a three-year term to replace Stephanie Elmore; Judge Henington moved to appoint Spencer and the motion passed 5-0.

Road & Bridge Superintendent Johnny Salcido delivered the department report. The court approved a trenching permit for Joshua Flack to trench across Fulcher Road (motion by Commissioner Ortega; seconded by Commissioner Colando; vote 5-0).

Emergency Management Coordinator James Etchinson presented a grant application for Warning System Refurbishment; the court approved submitting the grant application (motion by Commissioner Ortega; seconded by Commissioner Westermann; vote 5-0). Etchinson also requested a five-day lift of the county burn ban from Aug. 27 to Sept. 1, 2024; the court approved that action 5-0.

Assistant Auditor Paty Saenz presented general bills, budget amendments and line-item transfers; motions to approve those financial items were moved and seconded by commissioners and carried unanimously.

Robert Alvarez, executive director of Brewster County Tourism, presented a sponsorship agreement with the Texas Department of Agriculture for the 2024 Texas State Fair; Judge Henington moved to approve the agreement and the motion passed 5-0.

Tax Assessor/Collector Sylvia Vega presented the certified 2024 tax roll and tax-rate calculations. Judge Henington presented updated FY2025 budget proposals and moved to approve all changes as presented. The court scheduled public hearings on the FY2025 budget and the proposed 2024 tax rate for Aug. 27, 2024, at 9:30 a.m., and amended a motion to set the proposed tax rate at 0.349422 as the voter-approval rate; all budget- and tax-related motions passed 5-0.

The court recessed for a closed meeting under Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code to discuss personnel matters. After reconvening, Judge Henington moved to take the action discussed in closed session regarding the county comptroller position; the motion carried 5-0. The court announced its next regular meeting for Aug. 27, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 11:23 a.m.

Why it matters: The court's decision to seek new audit proposals and to grant a procurement exemption signals the county's effort to resolve multi-year audit delays that officials said could disrupt financial reporting timelines. Scheduling the budget and tax hearings begins the formal public process that could set the county's FY2025 budget and tax burden if adopted after public notice and any statutorily required votes.

Actions at a glance: - Approved minutes (July 23 and July 30, 2024); mover: Ortega; second: Colando; vote: 5-0. - Approved Order of Election for Nov. general election; mover: Ortega; second: Colando; vote: 5-0. - Approved election and alternate judges for Sept. 1, 2024'Aug. 31, 2025; mover: Ortega; second: Colando; vote: 5-0. - Appointed Karla Spencer to Alpine Emergency Services Board (three-year term); mover: Greg P. Henington; second: Sara Colando; vote: 5-0. - Issued RFQ for outside audit services; mover: Mo Morrow; second: Ruben Ortega; vote: 5-0. - Granted LGC 262.024(a)(4) exemption for outside audit services; mover: Mo Morrow; second: Ruben Ortega; vote: 5-0. - Approved trenching permit for Joshua Flack across Fulcher Road; mover: Ruben Ortega; second: Sara Colando; vote: 5-0. - Approved Warning System Refurbishment grant application; mover: Ruben Ortega; second: Jim Westermann; vote: 5-0. - Lifted burn ban Aug. 27'Sept. 1, 2024; mover: Mo Morrow; second: Ruben Ortega; vote: 5-0. - Approved general bills, budget amendments and line-item transfers as presented; mover: Ruben Ortega; second: Jim Westermann; vote: 5-0. - Approved Texas Department of Agriculture sponsorship agreement for 2024 Texas State Fair; mover: Greg P. Henington; second: Ruben Ortega; vote: 5-0. - Approved FY2025 budget changes and scheduled FY2025 budget and tax-rate public hearings for Aug. 27, 2024 at 9:30 a.m.; set proposed tax rate at 0.349422; motions passed 5-0. - Took action after closed session on county comptroller position; mover: Greg P. Henington; second: Sara Colando; vote: 5-0.

Sources: Brewster County Commissioners Court meeting, Aug. 13, 2024 (transcript segments SEG 001'SEG 005).