Atascosa County court places reprimands and approves one termination over alleged political activity

Atascosa County Commissioner's Court voted on June 8 to place letters of reprimand in the personnel files of three employees and to terminate another, actions the court said followed an executive session review of alleged violations of the county handbook.

Commissioner Eustace moved to place a letter of reprimand in the file of Russell Pacifica for violations of Atascosa County Handbook Policy 1B-11 (political activity and code of conduct); Commissioner Bowen seconded and the motion carried by a show of hands. The court took the same action for Jaylen Olivari and for Mercedes Aidando Garcia, each identified in the motion as subject to the same alleged policy violations.

The court also approved a motion to terminate Irene Taus effective immediately, with the motion made by Commissioner Eustace and seconded by Commissioner Bowen. The motions and seconds were recorded in open session and approved by the court; the meeting minutes will reflect the personnel actions.

Why it matters: Policy 1B-11 cited by the court prohibits using county property, funds, equipment or work time for political campaigning and restricts political activity during work hours. The court's actions place formal reprimands in personnel files and, in one case, ended employment, administrative outcomes that may be subject to review through county personnel procedures or legal challenge.

What the court said: On the record, the presiding commissioner announced each motion and asked for a second. The motions were approved by raising hands; no roll-call vote totals were recorded in the transcript.

What happens next: The court recorded the actions in open session following a closed executive session held under Texas Government Code sections 551.071 and 551.074. The transcript does not record any appeal or hearing dates; any further administrative or legal steps were not specified on the record.